The Lamborghini Countach - the original Lamborghini Countach - is an automotive legend. So is its designer, Marcello Gandini. Even though the original Countach has been out of production since 1990, Gandini is still very much alive. He recently took part in a Lamborghini-produced video with current brand design chief Mitja Borkert, to discuss design aspects of the new Countach LPI 800-4. All 112 planned examples have sold out. No surprise there. But what's a little surprising is what Gandini really thinks of the reborn supercar. Gandini, now 83, has released a somewhat shocking and very direct statement separating himself from the LPI 800-4 and the car he designed decades ago while working for Bertone.

"I have built my identity as a designer, especially when working on supercars for Lamborghini, on a unique concept: each new model I would work on would be an innovation, a breaker, something completely different from the previous one," he begins.

"Courage, the ability to create a break without sticking to the success of the previous car, the confidence in not wanting to give in to habit were the very essence of my work," continues Gandini. "It is clear that markets and marketing itself has changed a lot since then, but as far as I am concerned, to repeat a model of the past, represents in my opinion the negation of the founding principles of my DNA."

And there's more from the press statement released through his daughter's PR firm. "Thus, Marcello Gandini would like to reaffirm that he had no role in this operation, and as the author and creator of the original design from 1971, would like to clarify that the makeover does not reflect his spirit and his vision. A spirit of innovation and breaking the mold which is in his opinion totally absent in this new design."

Lamborghini has since issued its own statement responding to Gandini: "Lamborghini intends to point out that the project of the new Countach LPI 800-4 derives from the Company's will to pay homage to one of the most iconic cars in Lamborghini's history.

"The model derives from the knowledgeable work of Lamborghini's Centro Stile and R&D department, and it represents a modern reinterpretation of one of its iconic cars consistently with the design DNA that characterizes old and new Lamborghinis."

So basically, Gandini doesn't like the LPI 800-4. Lamborghini is sorry he feels that way but defends its decision to build it. A little sad but everyone is entitled to their opinions.