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19k Mile Survivor: 1988 Lamborghini Countach

How many of you had a poster of a Lamborghini Countach on your wall growing up?  If you didn’t, you probably knew someone that did.  They were the image of success for young Wall Street executives, sports stars and celebrities during the late 1970’s through the 1980’s.  Their influence is still felt in the automotive aftermarket to this day where “Lambo door” conversions are desired by some custom car owners.  This particular car is a 1988 Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole and can be found here on eBay with current bidding well over $200,000!  The car is located in Salem, Oregon and has less than 20,000 original miles on the odometer.

The red leather interior looks as good as it did thirty years ago.  You have to appreciate the design and function of the cockpit.  These cars were essentially race cars that were adapted to street use.  The shifter, steering wheel and gauges are in the perfect position for performance driving.  The sport seats look like they will suck you into them and provide plenty of support during acceleration and cornering.  Did you notice the Alpine cassette stereo?  Talk about 1980’s!

The engine is a 5167cc displacement with four valves per cylinder, or 5000 Quattrovalvole in Italian.  According to lambocars.com, this 5000 QV produces around 420 horsepower and “By 1986…special ‘crash’ bumpers were installed to front and rear, and a new Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection was used instead of the Weber carburetors, to meet demands by the DOT and EPA regulations.”

According to the seller, the car has been pampered its whole life.  It shows about 32,000km on the odometer which converts to less than 20,000 miles.  The car was trailered to shows and promotions and features original documentation and receipts of maintenance.  Whether you collect low-mile original cars or you want to finally own the car of your youthful dreams, it doesn’t get much better than this Lamborghini.

Comments

  1. Avatar Fk-A-Trailer

    See my comment left on 1960 Cadillac re this seller and Beverly Hills Hair Club quality exotics. Caveat Emptor!! Why is the Caddy in Independence and the Lambo in Salem? With 30+ years in the Salem car scene, I’ve never seen this car before.

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  2. Avatar Crazyhawk

    I’ll save everybody time and get it out of the way…..ugly bumper ugly bumper ugly bumper.

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    • Avatar glen

      I wasn’t even looking at the bumper, until you mentioned it, thanks a lot!, because it is ugly. It’s a good thing everything else looks so good.

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    • Avatar leiniedude Member

      The bumper sits two comfortably while waiting for the hook to show up.

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    • Avatar Mark

      Cant see the bumper when you’re behind the wheel.

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  3. Avatar Coventrycat

    Had that same Alpine stereo, and the poster with the Lambo the dealer gave me for spending some jingle in his store back in 1988.

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  4. Avatar GP Member

    Ya, think they would take a 2006 Ford Taurus with 83,000 on trade and 200.00 a month ?

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Suttree

    I like this car now and I liked it when it was new. This car is in great shape. I’ve always wondered how long a complicated exotic car like this would run before major (expensive) trouble if put into service as a daily driver. I’d like the opportunity to find out.

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  6. Avatar Rock On

    A neighbor down the street back in the day had one of these. He used to bring it around to Alpine stereo stores to earn some extra money to help pay for it. Customers thought it was great to get a picture in front of it.

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  7. Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

    $210K and reserve still not met!

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  8. Avatar Tink-A-Trailer

    I believe a few earlier Countach cars have broken the million dollar range but I suspect the most active bidder here was that eBay stalwart – Hill, Mr. S.Hill

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  9. Avatar Adam T45 Staff

    Apparently these are quite noisy and uncomfortable to drive with poor visibility and virtually zero air-flow from the ventilation system. Having said all that, I am willing to sell certain parts of my body in order to buy this. I have a reasonably low-mileage kidney if anyone is interested. Price on all other parts to be negotiated (first come/first served).

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    • Avatar Rich

      In the 80’s I was in the bar business in Ranch Mirage when this car came out. It was a swanky joint for the winter crowd. But I had a really nice regular customer that tipped well. We were “bar friends” and in casual bartender conversation I mentioned that my car was in the shop for a couple of days and I was actually taking the bus home. Which was no hardship for a day or two.

      And he says “I have a car you can borrow until your car is fixed.” Who was I to say no. Everyone liked him so I said ok, thanks. He said he’d be back later. I was still kinda new at this job, still in my 20’s but I got the impression people knew more than I did.

      The only thing that I knew was that every time he bought a two dollar drink (80’s) he gave me a $50 bill and said keep the change. My cocktail waitress said to be nice to him. Okay. Plus he only drank the well scotch. I liked that. Anyway he’s a very cool 70 y.o or so guy. I’m not yet 30. (I still think he’s pretty much who I’d like to be if only..)

      So as everyone has figured out THIS is the car he brought me at the end of my shift. His was a new 83/84 (the 80’s are a little fuzzy) and red, but still…

      I am 6‘6“ tall and back then even @165 pounds it was still the most uncomfortable vehicle, I’ve ever driven. (Well maybe tied with a Fiat X19.)

      I was flabbergasted to say the least but said thank you and drove away. I remember thinking “who lends a 28 year old kid this kind of car?”

      And you’re right about…
      No ventilation, NO visibility whatsoever, no interior space and really unpleasant to drive.

      Which did not stop me from hopping on the 10 and driving from Palm Springs to L. A. and driving up and down the boulevard’s with the doors open exactly like you see them in this picture. Slowly. That car turned heads. And…

      It turned out my new best friend (j/k) was the heir to an oil company, a big one, who collected Lamborghinis. You know…for fun. None of his kids shared his interest.

      Ah, the good life…

      Like 0
      • Avatar Jay E.

        I was having a really crappy day, then I read your story. It made me smile at the youthfulness of it. Great job, thanks
        I had a similar experience with a Pantera, couldn’t fit either, but Oh, so cool to be seen in.

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    • Avatar Dolphin Member

      Great story, Rich. I was wondering whether you were going to comment on getting in and out of the car, and you did one better…..

      Like someone said above, big posters of these were on a lot of young guys’ walls back in the ’80s…..maybe until some time went by and they got the chance to actually drive one.

      I remember a TV car show years ago that featured exotic cars from Europe and of course there was a Countach in it. The owner was being interviewed, and then went to sit down in the driver’s seat, at which point he bashed his head against the top of the door opening—–and he had owned the car for a while. It was embarrassing to see, but ergonomics just wasn’t the Countach’s strong suit. OTOH, they were real good at attracting attention in front of night clubs.

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  10. Avatar Steve

    Probably came from a very nice barn!

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  11. Avatar Robert Fram

    I maintain a QV for a client, and was worried that the first good drive would be like finally dating the hot girl from high school only to find out she’s dumb as a post and chews with her mouth open.

    I was pleasantly surprised. The AC worked very well (black on black car), handling wasn’t bad tho you can def feel the weight over the back on tighter turns, I found it quite comfortable. Visibility wasn’t great, but little convex mirrors helped.

    Downsides – very noisy on long trips, and terrible shifting – felt like it was moving through tar even after an hour.

    The other downside is the raping the dealer charges for parts that are Lambo only – $6k for a clutch release bearing, $800 for an alt belt that I wasn’t able to cross to any other…

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  12. Avatar David Miraglia

    Bad ass Lambo, but not my style. I’ll stick with Ferrari.

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  13. Avatar Baba Booey

    Shelbob from salvage cars to Lamborghini’s All in a days work!

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  14. Avatar Daniel Mix

    This is something I would not expect to find on Barn Finds website, but have to say I enjoyed reading the narrative and remembering the days when these were postered in every boy’s room in America! Nowadays, when I visit my nephews or friend’s sons, I would ask if they have some car poster in their room…I would get a weird look and a “huh?” My daughters wouldn’t hang a car poster, so couldn’t ask them.

    Keep up the great work with all the barn finds! It is one of the things I look forward to seeing on a daily basis! Happy Motoring!

    Like 0
  15. Avatar PRA4SNW

    15 years or so ago, I worked for a company in a small industrial park. Next to us was a small day care that local people would take their kids to. There was this guy who drove one of these to drop his daughter off and we always gathered to watch him do the open-door-reverse trick. It was humorous to watch, but he pulled it off every time.

    Of course, he could have just pulled right up to the day care’s entrance and dropped her off that way, but I think he liked showing off his skill for us.

    Like 0
    • Avatar leiniedude Member

      OK buddy, whats the open-door-reverse trick? Sounds cool. Ended: Mar 05, 2018 , 10:06PM
      Current bid:US $240,100.00
      Reserve not met
      [ 148 bids ]
      Price:US $270,000.00

      Like 0
      • Avatar PRA4SNW

        Here’s how it is done:

        Maybe easier after a few Leinies (LOL!)

        Like 0
  16. Avatar leiniedude Member

    LOL!!!! Leinies or not, I think I would end up doing a back plant. Thanks! Take care, Mike.

    Like 0

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