Crafting the Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole: How we redesigned an 80s icon

The Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole was unleashed into the world in the 70s, and the luxury automotive world was never the same again. The cultural earthquake was global, with teenagers rushing home to decorate their rooms with the now iconic ‘Lambo’ posters. A legend was born.

The bold design symbolized speed, luxury and innovation, and with the release of the LEGO® Icons Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole, let’s take a look at how we recreated this magnificent piece of Italian craftsmanship.

So, buckle up, as we take you on a ride with LEGO designer Sven Franic.

This car was the future

In the last few years, we’ve released many LEGO sets based on current and retro cars, so what makes the Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole so special?

“In the 70s, 80s and even up to the early 90s, the angles and lines of this car were the design language for any super sports car,” says Sven.

“I was one of those kids with the classic poster... The more you learn about the history of Lamborghini, the more you realize just how outlandish this project was.”

“Quattrovalvole”

After many discussions about which specific model to recreate, it was agreed that the final design would be that of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV or ‘Quattrovalvole’ (which means four valves in Italian).

“We decided on the classic white color, as it was agreed that this style was almost synonymous with the 80s, featuring in many TV shows and movies from the period,” Sven explains.

All about the angles

The Countach is renowned for its sleek, angular lines and low profile.

“When you look at an angular object, you think it will be the perfect thing to recreate using LEGO bricks because bricks are inherently angular. But when we go into very subtle angles, that’s when it becomes super tricky.

We can do circles and we can do straight lines, but when it’s straight lines that are also subtle, that’s very hard. And this car is full of them.”

Unlike many static display models, the LEGO Icons Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole includes functional elements that make it interactive.

“One of the most challenging parts of this design is that we wanted to keep the functionality of the steering, and it’s that mechanism that takes up a fair amount of space.

“But then we also have scissor doors that open upwards, so we somehow needed to fit the hinge somewhere.

“Getting the door hinge to not interfere with the wheels and the steering was definitely the number one challenge of this model.”

Scissor doors

Visually, the scissor doors contribute to the Countach’s futuristic look. When opened, they create a dramatic, almost theatrical effect that commands attention. A design element that has become synonymous with the Italian super sports car manufacturer.

“We’ve made scissor doors before, in the LEGO® Technic™ system, but those models are fairly larger, and this is the first time we’ve done them on this scale,” Sven explains.

To create the lines around the door frame, Sven used pillar elements, which wouldn’t usually be used in a LEGO Icons model, to ensure that when the doors were open, the car would retain the chunky, silhouetted look.

Hitting the road

The original wheels were designed to complement the Countach’s wide stance and low profile, enhancing its bold and muscular appearance. This was a particular challenge for the design team as wheels this big simply didn’t exist as elements. So, together with Design Master Yoel Mazur, they made a new wheel element!

“Because the Countach has wider wheels in the rear, we doubled up by adding another wheel in the back to make the tyres look really thick. And by using the deep side of the wheel in the back and the shallow side in the front, you create the profile perfectly.”

From the back

The taillights feature a unique, rectangular design that complements the sharp, angular lines of the Countach. This geometric shape aligns with the car’s overall aesthetic, creating a cohesive and striking appearance.

Sven’s favorite detail in the model is how we had to make a brand-new slope element to ensure we created a visually balanced rear end that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

“I really like the way those lights turned out, and creating the new elements meant that we managed to get all the lids flush so you don’t get any gaps and you can even open them all without having hinge lines.”

Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a LEGO fan or both, the LEGO Icons Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole promises a building experience that’s as thrilling as driving the real thing.

The “Lamborghini” and “Lamborghini Bull and Shield” trademarks, copyrights, designs and models are used under license from Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A, Italy.