Finished in its original menacing colour combination, Nero Tenebra over Nero leather
Single owner from new
USA delivered, ‘downdraft’ LP5000 QV in European specification with side reflectors
Retaining its original owner’s manual, leather pouch, tool kit and spare wheel
SOLD
Chassis no. ZA9C005A0FLA12870
This Lamborghini
Countach
One of
Italy’s most famous exports, the Lamborghini Countach, was built between 1974
and 1990, an incredible production run for a supercar of any generation. Over
these years, there are five main developments of the Lamborghini Countach,
starting as an LP400 and then LP400 S with a 3.9 litre V12, the Countach soon
developed into the 4.8 litre LP500 S before its ultimate and final evolution,
the 5.2 litre LP5000 QV and 25th Anniversary.
The
Countach LP5000 QV, or ‘Quattrovalvole’, featured the final development of the
fearsome Lamborghini V12 engine, now fitted with four valves per cylinder. The
European cars were fitted with six down-draft Weber carburettors and produced
around 450 bhp at 7,000 rpm. As a result of the carburettors being mounted to
the top of the engine, the engine cover itself gained a hump, reducing rear
visibility to near zero – but who really looks behind themselves whilst driving
a Lamborghini Countach anyway?
Stringent
emission regulations in the United States did not allow this setup to be
homologated in the United States and with the factory Fuel injection model
being delayed month after month, West California Lamborghini bent the rules
with a handful of examples for the most determined buyers.
An
undisclosed number of as low as 11 examples were imported as “grey market” scheme
and a few others using other means. A hefty increase in price did not seem to
deter buyers and this complicated and sometimes controversial way to introduce
the ultimate Countach to the American market was halted by Sant’Agata when it
finally made the Bosh K-Jetronic fuel injection system to the public.
The car
offered here, chassis 12870, completed manufacture at Lamborghini in Italy in
late July 1985, before being delivered new through Lamborghini West California
to its first, and only, owner. Effectively a European downdraft with reflectors
and few small tweaks to “bias” the emission reading when tested, this Countach
was finished in black with a black leather interior and gold wheels, exactly as
it is presented today. The owner of this Countach, a true purist and a real connoisseur,
was adamant about having a down-draft LP5000 QV which he still refers to as
“the Super Countach”. He somehow managed to acquire it but after some years the
law caught up with him and it is understood the authorities asked that the car
leave.
Later in
its life still with its first and current owner, this Countach returned to its
motherland where it was rarely driven before being imported to England, where
it resides today. Throughout its life in England, this car has been maintained
by SB Race Engineering and the collection’s dedicated mechanic.
Today, this Countach LP5000 QV is offered in its original colours directly from its original owner, complete with its original owner’s manual, leather pouch, tool kit and spare wheel. The car is showing barely 11.000km from new, with the mileage supported by first equipment tyres and original paint on almost every panel of the car. Opportunities to obtain cars as original as this are increasingly rare, even more so in this condition. Surely an opportunity not to be missed.
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