Lore has it that Ferruccio Lamborghini owned a Ferrari with a lousy clutch. One day in 1963, he knocked on Enzo’s door to explain how the clutch could be improved. Mr Ferrari did not appreciate the criticism, and harsh words were spoken. This event reportedly sparked Lamborghini’s quest to beat Ferrari at its own game, beginning with the 350 GT. The wondrous Miura followed. As the 1970s commenced, Lamborghini began work on a replacement for the Miura. Marcello Gandini penned a radical, spaceship of a wedge and the company’s legendary four-cam, Bizzarrini-designed V12 – made more roadable by engineer Paolo Stanzani – nestled longitudinally in the rear bay. The car was introduced in 1971 but didn’t enter production until 1974, about the same time Ferruccio Lamborghini sold his remaining shares in his company to retire to his farm. Only about 2049 examples were made over sixteen years (though the nameplate has been resurrected recently). If a Countach is on your wish list, you’re in luck: RM Sotheby’s will auction a 1988 Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole in Monaco on May 10th. This car was delivered to England in 1989 and has been with the same owner since; it is expected to sell at a price between €400,000 and €500,000. Read on to find out if this is an aggressive estimate – or not. Thanks to Araknid78 for this fabulous find.
This car’s long ownership history has not translated to a voluminous file; rather, the document repository is skimpy. The car does retain its original tool kit and service/warranty manuals – a mark in its favor. The 5.2 liter V12 makes 450 hp from its mélange of six Weber carburetors, four camshafts, and four valves per cylinder – quite enough to jet from zero to sixty in just over four seconds. US-delivery cars are fuel-injected and suffer a 30 hp deficit compared to their European counterparts. The five-speed gearbox is mounted between the two seats enabling direct shifting – no balky linkages. The consignor’s mechanic serviced the car about 100 km ago, and the odometer reads just 40,473 km total – a number supported by MOT certificates back to 1992.
The interior is tatty. The rubber mat inset into the carpet is torn on the driver’s side, the sills are dirty and scuffed, the steering wheel is suffering an attack of mildew. Wear pervades nearly every surface – mostly minor but annoying. But perhaps all this can be forgiven for the privilege of being in charge of those scissor doors.
Ill-fitting panels are another clue that this Lambo’s history contains an unsavory surprise. The hood does not lie flat; the doors are askew, and the rear view reveals that the right side of the engine compartment lid sits high. Sure enough, among the documents in the online file is a damage report dated 1998 detailing a tangle with a Renault along a narrow hedgerow-lined road in England. The repair receipts are not present. No doubt many a Countach has seen a prang of some sort over the years. The recent rise in prices to mid-six figures makes damage repair a worthwhile undertaking. Or a buyer could opt to pay more for a near-perfect example. Which would you choose?
We’re in fantasy land my friends, but if I could be a player on cars like this, I’d take this one over a pristine version all day long. I like to drive ‘um, not look at ‘um, and this car suits the purpose. Also, I dig the black interior. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it. Every red one I’ve seen has beige (“saddle”, “palomino”, whatever it’s called).
These cars are better to look at then to drive.
Have you driven them?
LOL! My first Fiat 128 (yes, in a little different league!) came with the pale “palomino” vinyl. Within the first week I learned that I only want black (or other dark) interior on any future car! In that short time span it acquired an ink smudge which never came out, no matter what I tried.
Kudos to anyone who drives their Countach!
About 15 years ago, I saw a father dropping his daughter off at a day care next to my work.
He had to do the half-in the car and half-out of the car in order to back it up.
It was cool, and entertaining to see.
Fantasyland does indeed exist, this time from sunny Palm Beach(FL?) where the poor folks are barely getting by. Yeah, I had a long comment on who, why, and so on, but after all, it was “the exotics”, and the facility was PACKED. Ford GTs, Lambos, all there and all going for over $500K. One, I couldn’t tell one from another, went for $1 MILLION dollars. Most bidders appear to be younger guys, bidding for Mr. Rich Guy in their mansion(s), but I’m looking at this slick dude that got the car. You could see he was well equipped, and come heck or high water, he was going home with that car, and he did. Pure entertainment for us po’ folk, but apparently, this actually goes on. It’s great fodder for writers in the 25th century.
25th Century?
Who knows Michael.. some history buff in the 2400s may like to write about the crazy cool and fast cars of our era and how some of us found it highly entertaining to go to auctions and wish it were us drive away in those old machines (like me). And I imagine they’ll throw in comment or two about how nice their Mach 9 hover cars are in comparison, and how they can also be adapted for sub light speed travel to the moons of Jupiter for holiday.. but they still wish they could at least sit in a Lambo one time.
Yes sign me up for the Lambo 101 DIY class at redneck university and I will study tirelessly to fix every misaligned panel, misfire& brake squel to a high standard just so I can say “Hold my beer ! Warp speed factor 10 engage!
Swap in an LS6 and have a ball!
Oh please.
No cup holders? I am out.
Only “supercar ” I ever liked thanks to the black one in the opening titles of the cannonball run.
Wore out a VHS tape watching this as a spotty teenager ( never quite the same as watching it the first time at the cinema on the big screen) an EV will never evoke the same emotions.
Only half the clutch story , as I understand it , Mr Lamborghini pulled his broken Ferrari clutch out & saw that it was the same as what he was using in his tractors , then he approached Enzo , the argument ensued & Ferrucio said , stuff you , I’ll build my own car lol
Had a chance to drive around a 1990 Countach back in 1992. 3 weeks. Family members car.
For many…nice to look at and others somewhat…afraid to drive it for various reasons.
Difficult to get in and out of unless you’re in the 5’5″ range. Uncomfortable sitting and driving also…same reason. Feel every single bump in the road also. But wow….quick and sticks to the road. Curves show a…30MPH….nope…took ’em around the 80 range…in the rain and didn’t flitch at all. Seemed that at every red light…some bozo pulls up and wants to race to the next red light. Never did though.
Fiats, cupholders, never heard such bs from dreamers. However, car does look like it went off a cliff.
For those interested, I’m starting a GoFundMe so I can buy this Lambo … special thanks to Fred W for the 5 bucks I have so far …
Have watched a few shows where these were taken out for a test drive.From what i gather these cars are meant for high speed highway driving,the steering is heavy driving around in typical city traffic and with an engine that has a 8200 rpm limit doesn’t enjoy light cruising but rather a constant presence of a heavy right foot on the accelerator and can still holds it’s own against alot of newer muscle but yet they don’t look as cool as this Lambo.This car just oozes 1980s’…..