Exotic Cars book by Sam Brown, 1992 edition

These are no singular flights-of-fancy customized, gimmicky specials, but simply the top of the ranges, the best things on wheels you can only buy straight off the production line. The list roams the world and includes the top lines of the famous marques, covering highest levels of performance and luxury. Exotic Cars gives you the low-down on the low-slung, such as the shatteringly fast Lamborghini Countach or Ferrari’s latest jewel, the exciting Testarossa. There is also the word on the cars that make obvious statements of success - Rolls-Royce Camargue and the stylish Mercedes-Benz 500 SEC, plus the obviously more exotic Excalibur. — From front flap.

Perhaps no car defined exotic cars like the Countach. The first Countach generation was named LP 400. Its 4-liter V12 engine was mounted lengthwise (Longitudinale Posteriore, hence the `LP`) and produced 375 CV. A maximum speed of 309 km/h and an acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds proved that the LP 400 was not only a stunning sight, but also offered the expected top-notch performance Lamborghini stood for. Together with the Miura, the Countach represented the backbone of the Lamborghini legend. Once again, designer Marcello Gandini managed to draw a fascinating, unconventional car that left everybody speechless. Still today, the Countach - especially the LP 400 of the first series - is in great demand, most notably because of the iconic visuals of this version, such as the characteristic shape, lack of large mudguards, and rear spoilers. 151 units of the Countach LP 400 were produced between 1974 and 1978. CREDIT: Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A