Every so often, a listing comes along that feels less like a car for sale and more like a piece of automotive folklore made real. That’s exactly the case with this hand-built 1982 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S recreation, better known across car circles as the “Basement Lambo”. For years, enthusiasts traded stories about the man who spent nearly two decades building a Countach in his basement—stories that sounded too wild to be true. But the car exists, and according to the seller, this is it and it’s listed for sale here on eBay.
We actually featured this same car a few years back so it’s either changing hands again or didn’t find a buyer the first time around. This recreation wasn’t assembled from a kit or pieced together from random panels. Instead, the entire body was hand-formed from aluminum, built to the exact proportions of a European-spec Countach LP5000S. Even the space frame beneath it is a custom tube chassis, the kind of work that usually only comes from high-level specialty shops. Despite that level of craftsmanship, the car has reportedly never been registered or titled, though the seller states that documentation is included for the next owner to pursue registration where permitted.
The exterior is finished in a metallic pewter shade, and the odometer shows roughly 70 miles since completion. Many exterior components are genuine Lamborghini parts, including the taillights, parking lights, windshield, and badging. This isn’t just a look-alike—it incorporates pieces from the real thing.
Power comes from a Ford Cleveland Boss 351, stroked to 377 cubic inches and built with forged internals, a roller cam, a Weber manifold, and 48 IDA downdraft Webers. The seller notes an output of 514 horsepower at 6800 rpm, paired with a ZF five-speed transaxle featuring 4.10 gearing. Additional performance hardware includes Wilwood brakes, twin aluminum radiators, a 15-pound aluminum flywheel, a road-race oil pan, and hand-made 180-degree stainless headers. According to the listing, the car weighs about 2700 pounds, though performance has not been formally tested.
Inside and out, the recreation stays true to LP5000S specifications. It rides on authentic-style telephone-dial wheels—tires alone reportedly represent $10,000 in value—and uses a Pantera shifter and Wilwood hydraulic pedal setup. It’s an enthusiast’s creation through and through, built not as a showpiece but as an ambitious engineering project brought to life over 17 years.
For anyone who grew up dreaming of a Countach—or watching one streak across the screen in animated form—this might be one of the most unusual opportunities to own something that captures that fantasy. It’s not a Lamborghini in the legal sense, and the next owner will need to navigate the registration question, but as an icon of home-built dedication, it stands alone.
Would you drive a hand-built Countach recreation like this, or preserve it as a piece of automotive legend?
Wow… probably faster than an original.
So after 17 years of building it, the first thing the builder wants to do is sell it?
Nice car built properly. Just shows craftsmanship isn’t dead in the US.
Over 6 figures, someone appreciates the effort the builder made. Good videos on the listing, including an explanation of why it is for sale. I get it.
There is another You Tuber called Mustie1 who used to specialize in fixing street freebie bicycles and lawn mowers, but has recently gotten more into cars and bigger equipment. A few years back he did a video about a lambo project that he acquired from a widow- it was a quality build with a V 12 out of a BMW or Mercedes and it seems that she just gave it to him.
Interesting vehicle with an interesting back story.
Some people are builders and some are drivers. In the sixties my dad built an EAA biplane from scratch using a set of plans he sent for. It took him about 15 years to build and then he sold it after flying it a few times and winning his class at the EAA meet-up at Rockford IL (now held at Oshkosh). This is a very nice replica and should fool a lot of people on the street but I’d rather have a real sports car for the same money.
How much?
It’s an auction, so who knows? Current bid with 2 days left is $107,800.
I would MUCH rather have this, than an original! The attention to detail and sheer craftsmanship will far outweigh Lamborghini’s efforts on the best day.
From the pictures it appears to be a better built replica compared to others and some we have seen here but I couldn’t bring myself to pay that for it.
An extremely impressive-looking recreation that looks like the real thing from the outside! The person who built it is to be congratulated for such artisanal work. I have, however, two concerns…one much bigger than the other. The small one is those gauges!! They are kit car gauges; they look it and tend to spoil the illusion of a REAL Countach! Given how the rest of the car is so accurate, something a bit more Italian was in order! The major concern, though, is that as this is a six-figure car, it is a lot of money to fork out for a vehicle built by an amateur THAT HAS NOT BEEN CHECKED OUT FOR ROADWORTHINESS. With a document certifying the car’s structural strength and quality–say from a reputable racing school, a well-known high-performance shop, or even a competent motor vehicle branch, it would inspire more confidence in opening someone’s wallet. Without some reputable documentation, the Countach replica is an impressive work of visual art with a roadworthiness question mark hanging over it. There is a side of me that wants this replica to be as good or better than the real thing. However, it has to be established and not just hoped for. My feeling is that it will not sell for that kind of money without a comprehensive evaluation of the roadworthiness.
It is probably well built. You could look it over and tell. I am guessing better than some of the well know kit car companies cars. Race car gauges. I would not knock the quality of work and engineering until I saw it in person. If you bought it just might be the safest car you have to drive.
“Probably” is the key word. I agree with Geof.
I agree with both Laurence and Roger. It looks to be very well put together and the chassis seems a work of art.
However as a driver, before I could seriously lay down that much, I would absolutely have to have proof of roadworthy certification. I drive my toys hard and I’d feel much better knowing I’m driving a well engineered, well built, and safe vehicle I could take out and really enjoy with confidence. Best wishes
Went to $118,100, 29 bids, reserve not met.