The ultimate poster car of the 1970s and 80s is unquestionably the Lamborghini Countach. And now, three very special Countach derivatives will go under the hammer at RM Auctions’ Paris sale, 4 February, 2015. Heading the trio is an extremely rare RHD 1977 LP400 ‘Periscopo’. Arguably one of the finest surviving early Countach examples in existence, this immaculately presented, matching numbers LP400, chassis no. 1120260 (with engine 1120260), is finished in glorious Rosso paint with a Nero hide interior.
Boasting a known and fully documented history from new, it is one of very few RHD cars delivered new to Australia, where it has resided ever since. Its original owner collected the vehicle from the Lamborghini factory on 2 June 1977, returning just 14 days and 3,449 km later for the car’s first service! Having enjoyed the car on European roads for numerous months, the owner shipped the car home to Australia in 1978.
Although benefitting from a repaint and engine rebuild, the car is offered in essentially original condition, having travelled just 57,000 km. With just four owners from new, it is surely one of the finest surviving early Countaches, presented in magnificent condition. An award winner at Motorclassica 2013, it is accompanied by its original owner’s manual, warranty card and delivery documents, and is estimated to bring €1,2 – €1,5 million ($1,5 – $1,8 million).
Certainly no less special and also slated for the RM Paris sale is the 1980 LP400 S, chassis no.1121254. A unique and extremely well-known Countach, its first American owner spared no expense in upgrading the car to be fast as possible, choosing to send it to well-known Lamborghini test driver and marque expert, Bob Wallace. Wallace originally fitted a turbocharger and upgraded the brakes; the car is featured with Wallace in this guise in the book “The Complete Lamborghini” by Pete Lyons. Unsatisfied with this solution, Wallace later rebuilt a new QV engine taken from a Lamborghini LM 002. Hugely modified, the engine was accompanied by cross-drilled and uprated brakes, a custom exhaust, fire control system, custom intake manifold and MSD ignition. This QV equipped Countach also featured a low, lightweight ‘S’ body and consequently boasted phenomenal performance. Purchased by the current owner in 2005, it has been completely restored and is offered in simply beautiful condition, and is estimated at €500,000 – €700,000 ($600,000 – $850,000).
It is fitting that the third Countach slated for RM’s Paris sale is the last of the line; a 1989 25th ‘Anniverario’. The 25th Anniversary Edition was the most popular, most refined, and possibly the fastest production specification Countach of them all, capable of a blistering 183 miles per hour (295 km/h). Built to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the founding of Automobili Lamborghini SpA, the car was designed to be the ultimate Countach, and while it was intended to be sold in limited numbers, it turned out to be the model’s best seller, with 667 units sold before it was replaced by the Diablo in 1990.
The example on offer, chassis no. LA12902, is a very late production example of this highly-desirable model, produced in December 1989 and delivered to its first owner in January 1990. Stunning in red with a tan leather interior and featuring glorious OZ wheels, it has covered only 8,000 km from new but nevertheless benefits from a fresh engine rebuild. This car is estimated to fetch €250,000 – €300,000 ($($300,000 – $370,000).
