In 1965, the Lamborghini redefined what the motoring public considered to be beautiful – to many, it is still regarded as the progenitor of the supercar segment. Few believed that the legend who penned it, Marcello Gandini, would be able to surpass its ground-breaking design and distinctive looks. Almost 10 years prior to the angular styles that characterised the ‘80’s, Gandini wowed the world again with the outrageous Countach in 1971. Along with its upwards hinging scissor doors and ‘periscopo’ rear-view mirror design element, it also featured a 280 kW 4,0-litre V12, capable of taking the Countach to nearly 300 km/h.
If ever there was a school child poster car, it was the Countach. Over the course of its nearly 16-year production, it saw many additions and alterations which culminated in its final ‘hoorah’, the LP 500 S 25thAnniversary, penned by none other than Horacio Pagani himself.
Historics auctioneers will be auctioning a 1982 Lamborghini Countach 5000 S at their Ascot Racecourse auction on the 25th September 2021, with just 61 840 km on the odometer. Having last been driven in 2008, chassis ZA9C00500CLA12487 presents in what is best described as “unrestored” something which seems to be all the rage these days, but there’s more to it than meets the eye…
In its time with the previous owner, its engine was stripped and rebuilt, and Lamborghini London were tasked with fitting it with a new clutch, a job for which all the paperwork is present, totalling over £10 000 (approximately R203 000). Concurrently, a new exhaust system was fitted to the vehicle, as well as a number of other jobs for which the paperwork and receipts are available, too. In 2006, an extensive underbody renovation was carried out on all accessible chassis areas, as well as a full suspension overhaul.
In 2008, the vehicle was sent to a body shop where it was destined for a full strip and respray, as well as an extensive refurbishment of the interior. During that time, the company closed and the Countach, in its stripped state, was put into storage.
Potential buyer can consider this a rare and exciting Lego kit, if you will – the vehicle comes with all of its original parts, as well as a new windscreen, the original handbook and owner records, listing the 5000 S’ nine owners.
The original specification of the vehicle is black with a black interior and the rare rear wing, with its interesting provenance including its use by Vicky Butler-Henderson of Fifth Gear fame, as well as featuring on the cover of a book, ‘The Spirit of The Bull’, by Paul W Cockerham.
It is estimated that when this 1982 Lamborghini Countach 5000 S, Lot 189, goes under the hammer, it will fetch £145 000 (R2 940 000)- £180 000 (R3 648 000).
