1987 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV, Design by Bertone

1987 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV
VIN. ZA9CA05AXHLA12185
Design by Bertone
5,167 CC DOHC V-12 Engine
Bosch KE-Jetronic Fuel Injection
420 BHP at 7,000 RPM
5-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Ventilated Disc Brakes

*One of Only 676 Examples Built
*Less than 15,000 Kilometers from new
*Retained by the original owner for 28 years
*Ultra-desirable, seldom seen livery
*The defining poster car of a generation

THE LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH

In 1966, Lamborghini defined the 'supercar' with the Miura. An instant icon, the mid-engine high-velocity coupe put the nascent carmaker on the map for their groundbreaking design and performance. The legendary Miura was always going to be a hard act to follow, so the extent to which its successor eclipsed the greatest of 1960s supercars came as something of a shock to all. The sensation of the 1971 Geneva Salon was the Countach, which like its predecessor, was styled by Bertone's Marcello Gandini. Drawing from his revolutionary Lancia Stratos Zero concept from the year before, Gandini designed the Countach as an angular wedge with crisp lines and dramatic angles. The production version would not be seen for another two years, with deliveries commencing in 1974.

Lamborghini employed the Miura's fantastic four-cam V12 engine for the Countach, mounted longitudinally behind the cabin. To achieve optimum weight distribution, designer Paolo Stanzani placed the five-speed gearbox ahead of the engine between the seats, and the differential – driven by a shaft passing through the sump – at the rear. The result was a delightful gear change and a better-balanced car than the Miura. When production began in 1974, the Countach sported an improved spaceframe chassis and the standard 4.0-liter, instead of the prototype's 5.0-liter, engine. Even with the smaller engine producing 'only' 370bhp, the lightweight Countach could attain 170mph and, as one would expect, offered incredible road holding and maneuverability.

The first upgrades appeared in 1978 as the 'LP400S', with the addition of flared wheel arches to accommodate massive 345mm rear tires for increased grip and stability. A large rear aerofoil became available that further accentuated the outrageous styling of the Countach and was, unsurprisingly, the choice of most customers.

The Countach's largest potential market, the USA, remained untapped until the arrival of the 'emissions friendly' LP500S in 1982. While horsepower remained the same as the smaller engine, the updated 4,754cc unit delivered a welcome boost in torque. The final iteration of the Countach debuted in 1985 as the Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole, named for its thunderous 5,167cc engine and new four-valves-per-cylinder heads. This 420 horsepower version was capable of an astonishing top speed of 300km/h, making it – at the time - the world's fastest car.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This outstanding icon is one of only 676 Countach Quattrovalves produced. The Lamborghini is fittingly finished in sinister black, with an exquisite biscuit-toned leather interior. Equipment includes the iconic and functional rear wing, correct factory phone dial-style OZ alloy wheels, air conditioning, Alpine AM/FM stereo radio with cassette, tinted glass, remote mirrors, and driving lights.

The supercar is said to have remained with its original owner until being purchased by the consignor in the spring of 2015. Today, having covered less than 15,000 Kilometers, the car is in phenomenal condition. The car's CARFAX shows that it was serviced multiple times in the 2000s. In 2015, CARFAX reports a mileage discrepancy, but this is clearly a mistake where the odometer was reported in miles instead of kilometers – a conversion shows that the odometer does indeed match the true distance that the car has covered. Receipts for the most recent service in January of 2016 are in file, showing that the fuel lines were replaced. In 2017, the car was evaluated by a Lamborghini technician and found to be in great working order, void of any issues – this is also noted on the recent work order.

This magnificent Countach is the definition of an 80s supercar and as a result is one of the most recognizable cars in the world. As the age of the car increases, so does the number of people who begin to look at the Countach as much more than just a supercar – many consider the Countach an era defining memento. When considering its rarity, low miles, ultra-desirable livery, and long term enthusiast ownership, this example deserves some serious attention.