In the early 1970s, while the Miura was still Lamborghini’s masterpiece, the Sant’Agata Bolognese manufacturer had already started the development of the Miura’s successor. The result of this work was introduced in 1971 at the Geneva Auto Show under a name now turned famous: Countach.
Build around a tubular frame, powered by a 5-liter, longitudinally mounted evolution of the Miura’s engine and wrapped in a futuristic design created by Bertone’s Marcello Gandini, the car’s angular look and its signature scissor doors were widely acclaimed and it soon headed into production.
Reliability issues pushed the Lamborghini engineers to install a 4.0l V12 closer to the Miura’s one in the first batch of car. Upon their release in 1974, these cars received the LP 400 designation. Also called Periscope for their groove allowing the driver to see behind the car, they are the rarest Countach as only 178 cars were built until the end of 1977.
The LP400 evolved into the LP400 S for 1978. Mechanically, the Countach didn’t evolve significantly, losing 20 bhp. The styling was revised with the addition of fiberglass fender flares. The major difference came from the tires. While the LP400 was fitted with narrow 205 and 215 tires, the LP400 S received the all-new Pirelli P7s, allowing for a jump in size: Front tires were now 235 wide and the rear ones were 345, allowing the Countach to clinch the title for widest tires of a production car.
1982 marked the first major evolution for the Countach with the release of the 5000 S. The displacement of the engine increased to 4,754cc despites being called a 5 liter, while the appearance remained the same.
In 1985, the engine evolved significantly once again. The stroke and bore were altered to increase capacity to 5.2 liters and the Countach received 4 valves per cylinder, hence the new name 5000 QV, for QuattroValvole.
This evolution also marked a new step in the Countach's career, as it was released for the first time in the U.S. These models were notably equipped by a Bosch K-jetronic injection system, whereas the European cars retained the 6, double barrel Weber carbs until the end of production in 1990.
An ultimate evolution of the Countach came to the market in 1989. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Lamborghini cars, it was simply called 25th anniversary. Only the styling changed, with enlarged airboxes and a new rear fascia. Even though these changed didn’t please most purists, they proved to solve the airflow problems of the Countach.
The car we are offering for sale is a beautiful example of a 5000 S model. The history is perfectly known. Delivered new to France in 1982, it was sold less than a year later to the second owner. This businessman moved in 1986 and abandoned the car in a Paris parking lot for 7 years. When the current owner purchased the car, the car only had 12,000 km on the odometer and was still in a decent condition. However, being extremely meticulous, he decided the car deserved a complete restoration.
The car was brought back to life, thanks to the owner’s dedication to the brand. He even replaced a few tubes from the chassis in the locations known to rust over time. These parts were, of course, still in good condition but he wanted to prevent the action of time. Still in the hands of this third owner today, this Countach 5000S retains its original “second birth” condition. The paint is beautiful for a 20 year-old job. The owner managed to keep the original leather interior which had not remained preserved even while the car wasn't cared for. Since then, it is regularly lotioned as it should be.
Now with 32,000 km on the clock, this Countach was always extremely carefully maintained by its owner. Equipped with the "Ansa" sport exhaust available as extra, this Countach is extremely well set-up, a trait that tends to become rare as these cars age and the carburettors turn out to be complex to maintain. It was equipped new with the 45mm carburettors, a rare extra even on the 5000 S since Lamborghini had to go back 40mm models to comply with the new emissions rules. The test drive proved it to be a better performer than a QV until 6.000 rpms (out of 7.800), even though the QV engine was more modern and more powerful.
Of course matching numbers and restored in conformity with the original Lamborghini factory specifications, this is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most cherished Countach on the market.
This Lamborghini Countach 5000 S is immediately available in France with its French registration.

This vehicle is available immediately. The price includes all European Union taxes and commissions.