1988 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV Coupé

Registration no. F922 OYR Chassis no. ZA9C005A0JLA12410

Footnotes

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, the Countach was styled, like its predecessor, by Bertone's Marcello Gandini. It was nothing less than spectacular, looking like it had been conceived on another planet. As Motor magazine observed: 'few people gazing at the original Bertone Countach at Geneva in 1971 could have regarded it as anything but a "show" car. There were those fold-up doors for a start and the space-age cockpit with its abysmal rear visibility not to mention the strange engine/transmission configuration.' Happily, Lamborghini disregarded criticism of the car's supposed lack of practicality and the Countach entered production changed in detail only. The production version would not be seen for another two years, with deliveries commencing in 1974.

Lamborghini's four-cam V12 engine was retained for the Countach, though this time installed longitudinally. 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 gearchange 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-litre - instead of the prototype's 5.0-litre - engine. Even with the smaller engine producing 'only' 375bhp, the aerodynamically efficient Countach could attain 170mph and, as one would expect, came with racetrack roadholding to match.

The first upgrade appeared in 1978 as the 'LP400S', the major changes being confined to the chassis and suspension. A rear aerofoil became available, making the Countach look even more outrageous and, not surprisingly, was the choice of most customers. The Countach's potentially largest market - the USA - remained closed to it until the arrival of the 'emissions friendly' LP500S in 1982. Although no more powerful than before, the newcomer's 4,754cc engine brought with it a useful increase in torque. The final development saw the engine enlarged to 5,167cc and new four-valves-per-cylinder 'heads adopted for the Countach Quattrovalvole (or 5000 QV) in 1985, the latter's 300km/h (186mph) top speed making it – at the time - the world's fastest car.

An extremely rare, UK-delivered Countach 5000 QV, chassis number '12410' is one of only 14 right-hand drive cars supplied as the '1988½' model, which featured the Anniversario version's side skirts. '12410' was supplied new on 3rd August 1988 and has covered a mere 33,000 miles from new. It was owned for a number of years by a Dr Keith Barnes, before being sold through Furlonger Specialist Cars to a Mr Morris, then through Furlonger to the current vendor.

The car is finished in Rosso Siviglia with red-piped magnolia leather upholstery and brown carpets, and retains its original engine with matching ('12410') number. The original Alpine stereo system, spare wheel, and tool roll are still present. The Countach has had only four previous keepers and has been serviced and maintained correctly, unlike many other examples. For the last five-or-so years it has been looked after by Furlonger Specialist Cars, including a lot of work making the air conditioning function properly.

'12410' comes with a huge history file going back to when the car was ordered, which contains MoT certificates and tax discs dating back to when it was new. Still awesome by today's standards, the Countach has lost none of its presence since the day it was launched. '12410' represents an exciting opportunity to acquire a highly original and unmolested example of this iconic Italian supercar.