The Lamborghini Countach could be genuinely considered a “poster child” of the 1980s. Tens of thousands of posters of this Italian thoroughbred graced the bedroom walls of teenagers during that period, but the chance has presented itself for someone to own the real deal. This 1984 Countach LP5000 S counts a celebrity in its ownership history, presenting superbly as a low-mile survivor. It has been listed here at RM Sotheby’s and is set to cross the auction blocks in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 17th. The price of admission isn’t cheap, with the auctioneers placing an estimate of $700,000 – $900,000 for this gem. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Araknid78 for spotting this iconic Italian supercar.
The flamboyant styling of the Countach drew gasps of astonishment when Lamborghini unveiled the prototype at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show. The automotive world had never seen a car of this type, but it still received ready acceptance from buyers when the first examples hit the showroom floors in 1974. The original cars had a certain elegance to their styling, but the company strived throughout the production cycle to push the boundaries to their limits. This car emerged from the factory in 1984, and the above shot reveals just how aggressive the vehicle had become. The plethora of scoops, the enormous fender flares, and a rear wing the size of the deck of the average aircraft carrier made bold statements. That wing actually proved to be more a hindrance than a help. Not only did it eliminate the limited rear vision available to the driver, but it also caused the front wheels to become light at speed. That’s not a sensation many wished to experience if they wound this classic to its claimed top speed of 178mph! The seller confirms this Lambo is an original and unrestored survivor, and the close-up shots reveal a few minor paint flaws and marks on the enormous 15″ wheels. However, the overall condition is consistent with a car treated respectfully. There is no evidence of accident repairs, the trim is excellent, and the glass is flawless. The seller confirms its original owner was fashion guru Ralph Lauren. It remained part of his collection until being purchased by a collector in 1986. It stayed with that owner until the consignor recently purchased it. The paperwork confirming its ownership history is included, with Lauren’s signature on the documentation completed when he parted with this gem.
I could stare for hours at this photo because the V12 engine powering this Countach is a work of art. The mid-mounted 4,754cc powerhouse inhales deeply via six Weber 45 DCOE carburetors to send 370hp and 302 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a five-speed manual transaxle. Those figures might sound relatively modest, but the Countach was a genuine supercar in its prime. This is confirmed by the ¼-mile ET of 13.4 seconds and the top speed of 178mph. Drivers required a race track or an autobahn to exploit this car’s full potential, but the knowledge alone was enough to satisfy many. Straightline performance wasn’t this Lambo’s only strength because the 345/45 VR 15 Pirelli tires were the largest fitted to a production road car at that point in automotive history. The sheer mechanical grip would be incredible, and it would require bravery or a foolhardy approach to exceed its limits. The listing suggests the Countach has been appropriately maintained and comes with comprehensive documentation outlining its complete history. It is worth noting that Lamborghini produced 321 examples of the 5000 S, but it is believed that only 38 were delivered to buyers in North America.
Okay, you can accuse me of being shallow on this point. This Countach wins my heart by virtue of a single interior feature. I have always felt that cars of this type should have a gated shifter, and the Lambo delivers on that score. I appreciate there is more to desirable classics than such automotive tinsel, but it is a purposeful inclusion that begs the driver to be hands-on while behind the wheel. The interior presents beautifully, and its condition is all you might expect from a treasured vehicle with 10,800 miles on the clock. There is no evidence of wear on any of its Black leather upholstered surfaces and no signs of aftermarket additions. The dash houses a selection of crystal clear gauges, and there is no wear on the leather-bound wheel. The tiny side windows and lack of adequate flow-through ventilation make the air conditioning a welcome inclusion, while a radio/cassette player provides in-car entertainment if occupants tire of the tune bellowing from that beautiful V12.
I always question the validity and impact of celebrity ownership when determining the potential value of a classic, and the story is no different with this 1984 Countach LP5000 S. I feel a car needs to be inextricably linked to a person before potential buyers can reap a financial benefit. That means a Starlight Black Pontiac Trans Am owned and driven by Burt Reynolds will invariably command a premium in the market, but I don’t believe that is the case here. However, we shouldn’t dismiss Ralph Lauren’s passion for classics because he has an extensive collection of exceptionally desirable cars with an estimated value of $600 million. Maybe the ownership history will add nothing to this Countach’s value, but the winning bidder can rest comfortably knowing that the original celebrity owner was a genuine enthusiast. I guess that’s better than nothing.
It’s neat, it’s cantankerous, it’s a beautiful work of automotive art. It has a wonderful sound.You cannot be a big fella to drive it. It is a trophy wife of the car world. It is completely out of my league. I guess I was one of the few that didn’t have the poster on my wall. I did have one of a 59 Cadillac convertible though and since I have one, life is good. I hope whoever gets this beautiful car enjoys it like I do mine.
They’re obnoxious, impractical, I’ll mannered, claustrophobic, temperamental and raucous. And yes, I NEED ONE!!!
Beautiful piece of art followed by a wonderful v12 engine, sound and so on. I was in a market to buy in Late 80ties. As I saw it I.in real Flash. However the quality was not up to spec or compared at a time to Ferrari Testarossa. And in all concerned, the Testa quality is not anywhere close to Acura / Honda NSX. That should say it all. Beautiful indeed but lots of baggage to come along. One needs to secure money for all that imperfections.
I don’t have a poster car to offer but I’m willing to let go of some grandkids that fit that description.
They don’t work often either.😊
I’ve heard one go by at full growl and the sound is truly glorious 🙌
I also had a 59 Cadillac poster on my wall! I have a 59 Cadillac now and I love it.
The owner of the shop where I used to get work done on my Cortina had a Miura. When I commented about it during a visit, he replied that you had to either be wealthy or a really good mechanic to own a Lamborghini and not go crazy.
That seems to be a very optimistic reach for the estimate. LP S’s have hammered at the 500 to maybe 600 for low miles examples at BaT. Even Rod Stewart’s Anniversary model only made the 560 mark
Rod Stewart ain’t Ralph Lauren. Black also isn’t red. I see no reason this car won’t fetch over $700k.
Looks like the smashed ’89 Lambo from the “Wolf of Wall Street” movie is poised to outbid this one……
https://www.autoblog.com/2023/11/05/second-smashed-1989-lamborghini-countach-from-wolf-of-wall-street-to-be-auctioned/
an iconic car for sure…..I prefer the wingless version myself
This is a beautiful car. But when you’re assuming you’ll get three quarters of a million, is it too much to ask to vacuum the carpet and clean the mud off of the pedals? Ok, I feel better. :)
They only do that if they think it will go over a million.
Probably should add Iain Tyrell to your speed dial.
Whenever I’m at the auctions I avoid the celebrity owned cars people always pay more for them, Elvis owed Cadillac still bring more money than the same car owned by Joe blow citizen
Om still wearing Ralph Lauren designer jeans.
good 2 C ur ventures into the non-bronk world. Whatever the province, no matter to this enthusiast.
Any car has some limits, all need to see to the rear. Here’s an example that one can not. Lill significance? Not to this driver. Add the garishness, a pass @ any cost~
Would it be any cheaper if it was previously owned by Ralph Kramden?
Or Ralph Lipschitz.
Ralph Lauren ownership means that it was part of a well treated collection.
I saw an owner backing one of these up using the half-in, half-out of the car method – quite amusing.
Indeed, the Ralph Lauren provenance adds substantially to the collector value. You KNOW you’re getting a good one.
He sold it in 1986. After owning it two years. It’s “provenance” means jack.
lol, Big C. Best not to opine about things you know nothing about. RL-owned cars ALWAYS sell at a premium.
Ferruccio Lamborghini wanted a Ferrari built a certain way. Enzo refused to build it, so Ferruccio started his own brand. What’s unique about the brand is properly maintained they don’t break down or catch fire, like some others.
Burt Reynolds is also associated with the Countach through the Cannonball Run films. Cannonball Baker drove that black bull in the film, it now resides in Florida.
Major reason Ralph Lauren matters here is that successful designers are driven by the details. Given his accumulated wealth, I have no doubt that mechanically this Countach is immaculately maintained. I believe it will sell for north of a million.
Not saying its been neglected, BUT, RL only owned it two years, and its been in someone elses possession for 37 years!
Poor Countach. Every story about him tediously begins with his poster on some kids wall. Every story.
Yawn and yawn again and again and again and again and again….and again……and again……..and again…….
I had posters of women on my wall, Raquel Welch still sticks out as my favorite and Farah a close second. Perhaps it was because I only liked RTS Mopars? Was something wrong with me?
Obviously
Like the Cobra, they spawned a million unfinished replicas now collecting dust in garages and mini storages.
Wait — you mean the Farrah Faucett posters have come down? Darn.
I actually sat in a white Countach that was parked on the PCH highway (really). The owner was a great guy. he let me sit in it and look it all over. I needed help to get out. But, I’m told that they are like the B1B bomber. 4 hours of flight requires 80 hours of maintenance.
Still, I’d like to have a B1B, or a Countach, or a Farrah Faucett. I think I’ll keep the poster. It’s as close as I will ever come.
I was really enjoying the comments made on this super car until the sound of a l won’t say it, can’t get political here. I will ask. What do you think about the modern day monsters coming out of show rooms capable of 0 to 60 in low 4s to high 3s with 500 to 700 HP with monster names like Demon and Hellcat? It makes cars like this look like modern day child’s play.
There is almost no depraved act I wouldn’t commit to be able to park a Countach in my garage every night. I really don’t get the crybabies that come onto a car website, any car website, and snivel about people who are too rich or not generous enough or unreasonable the way they drive their supercars. It’s their money, not yours, so why do you feel the need to pi** on their parade? Just go away and cry to your mom about how unfair the world is, no one here cares what you think.
But back to the Lamborghini Countach- there is no limit to the fun I would have, driving this car every day it wasn’t raining(or broke down), just blipping the throttle makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up! There are very few cars that make such an incredible sound, maybe a Ferrari V12, but then that’s what Italian supercars are for- the speed and the sound! If I won the powerball or inherited a large sum of money, a Countach is probably the very first car I would run out and buy, then I’d shop around for a warehouse big enough to house my soon to be enormous car collection. Nobody gets to dictate to me how or what I spend my money on! Beautiful car, and I hope it sells for all the money.
GI, It’s really only one BF reader that always has the same complaint when cars like this appear here. Exotics, Rolls Royces, and Porsches really get under their skin. They hide for awhile and then come back with a different identity and stir the pot.
Hard to understand how a person gets their jollies out of doing it, guess that’s why they are known as trolls.
Are you accusing me of something? Has it ever occurred to you that more then one person on the internet has similar ideas? Freedom of expression is something our quite wise founding fathers believed in, do you?
My point is now proven.
Your point is the idea that any fool willing to cough up around five bucks a month can now tell themselves they are brilliant and without errors. I am not who you think I am, I am not some serial postor, but if this is the kind of things they have put up with, I can understand the logic.
lol!
On the plus side, at least BF hasn’t gotten to the TTAC level of political BS, not yet anyway.
I wonder what the political slant here would be. I can make a pretty good educated guess.
$830,000 USD | Sold