Gregor Wenner
Specialist Consultant
LOT 124
1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400S Series II Coachwork by Bertone Chassis no. 1121272 Engine no. 1121272
Sold for €621,000 inc. premium
Lot 124
Ex-Geneva Motor Show 1981
1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400S Series II
1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400S Series II
1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400S Series II
Coachwork by Bertone
Chassis no. 1121272
Engine no. 1121272
Coachwork by Bertone
Chassis no. 1121272
Engine no. 1121272
● Rare Low-Body version
● Only known Countach LP400S Series II finished in Blu Notte Metallizzato
● In the same hands for the last 20 years
● Numerous invoices included
"Developed by Walter Wolf and Gianpaolo Dallara, the LP400S was the car that the Countach should have been all along; it finally had the chassis to cope properly with the available power." – Richard Dredge, Lamborghini Miura, Countach, Diablo, Murciélago.
The legendary Miura was always going to be difficult to replace, so the way in which its successor would come to eclipse the greatest supercar of the 1960s was a stroke of genius.
The sensation of the 1971 Geneva Motor Show, the Countach was designed, like its predecessor, by Carrozzeria Bertone's Marcello Gandini. Aggressive from every angle, the Countach was no less than spectacular, appearing to have come from another planet. As Motor magazine observed: "Few people gazing at the original Bertone Countach at Geneva in 1971 could have regarded it as anything other than 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." Ultimately, the production version would only be available two years later, with deliveries commencing in 1974.
The running gear was lifted in large part from the Miura, although it had been recognised that the Miura's failings in terms of manoeuvrability and stability would not be tolerable in the Countach. At the same time, heat and noise in the passenger compartment had to be limited, and the manoeuvrability of the gearbox was improved. The Miura's four-cam V12 was reused for the Countach, although this time it was installed longitudinally and fitted with side-draught Weber carburettors. To achieve optimum weight distribution, Paolo Stanzani, the designer, positioned the five-speed gearbox in front of the engine, between the seats, and the differential - driven by a shaft passing through the oil sump - at the rear. The result was more precise gear changes and a car that was better-balanced than the Miura.
When production began in 1974, the Countach was built on an improved tubular chassis, replacing the prototype's semi-monocoque, while the coachwork was made of aluminium. One of the Countach's most distinguishing features was its doors, which opened vertically and were supported by hydraulic cylinders. The production version of the Countach had a 4.0-litre V12, instead of the prototype's 5.0-litre engine. Even with the smaller engine producing 'only' 369bhp, the aerodynamically efficient Countach could attain 170mph and, naturally, came with racetrack roadholding to match. Designated 'LP400' by the factory (LP = Longitudinale Posteriore, describing the engine placement), the first Countach is commonly known as the periscopio, after its central periscope, built into the roof, which provided rear vision.
"But for sheer outlandish eye appeal, and track-car capability that's translatable for the road, there is simply no better car. It's hard, also, to imagine a better one coming along," opined Car magazine. However, Lamborghini once again managed to improve its concept, in the form of the LP400S, which made extensive changes to the chassis and the suspension to exploit the characteristics of Pirelli's new P7 tyre. The P7's ground-breaking design offered previously unimaginable levels of grip; the improvements made to the Countach's chassis transformed the car: "It corners at 180mph: we know, we've tried it," declared Car. The LP400S was built between 1978 and 1982, by which time 237 had been produced.
Its revolutionary design set new standards. The Lamborghini Countach is one of the most iconic sports cars of the 20th Century. The LP400S version is the essence of this.
At the end of the 1970s, Lamborghini, then owned by the Swiss businessmen Georges-Henri Rosetti and René Leimer, was in great financial difficulty. In 1978, the firm was placed in safeguard proceedings by the Italian courts. Purchased by the Italian-born Alessandro Arteses, Lamborghini was having trouble bouncing back and changed hands once again in 1979, this time being sold to Raymond Noima and Hubert Hahne. Nonetheless, Automobili Lamborghini went bankrupt in 1980, and was thereby placed in judicial liquidation. It was the brothers Jean-Claude and Patrick Mimran who took up the baton in 1981.
It was in this unusual context that the life of this Countach LP400 S began. Initially commissioned by René Leimer, it was produced during 1979 in the form of an LP400 S Series 1, no.1121070, i.e. one of the first Countach S to be built. With metallic blue paint and matching blue upholstery, the Countach did not leave the factory, observing the various takeovers of the marque from the inside. It was in preparation for the Geneva Motor Show taking place from 5 to 15 March 1981 that 1121070 was upgraded by the factory to be fitted out as a Series 2. It kept its unusual Blu Notte colour, while its passenger compartment was reworked with white trim alongside the blue inserts. In addition, the Campagnolo Bravo wheel rims specific to Series 1 were replaced with the pared-down Series 2 model. It was also at this time that the rear spoiler and the Vitaloni Baby Tornado rear view mirrors, matching the paintwork, were added to the car. Becoming a Series 2, 1121070 was thus endowed with a new identity by the Sant'Agata Bolognese factory: 1121272. The chassis, the registration plates and the engine were therefore renumbered in accordance with the car's update, thereby dating its "birth" to 1981. We have also been informed that 1121272 was equipped with specific options such as wide tyres, Ansa "racing" exhausts, Weber 45 DCOE carburettors and "racing" camshafts. Completed on 27th February 1981, 1121272 was exhibited at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show, on the official Lamborghini stand, alongside the LM001 and Jalpa (chassis 40058 of 1978) prototypes , as well as a modernised Miura S (chassis 4808 of 1971) and another Countach LP400 S, with red paintwork. The latter had unfortunately already been sold when Serge W. from Switzerland visited the show, as he wished to purchase a new Countach within a very short timeframe, but wanted one with red paintwork. As a result, Mr W. bought 1121272, which Lamborghini promised to repaint red in the days following the show and after payment of an invoice of 115,000 Francs.
Registered in Switzerland under plate number VD 10894, the Countach was driven in Paris by its happy owner, who used it for almost 10 years. It was in the winter of 1993/1994 that the Countach was put into storage, following a scare on the Parisian Périphérique, leaving the left side of the coachwork with some minor damage. It was only removed from storage 13 years later, in 2004, when the current owner purchased it, in Sannois-sur-Seine. 1121272 still had its red paintwork and blue and white interior, but required much attention to be returned to its former glory. First, the car was fully recommissioned over several years, including a partial overhaul of its engine (sealing rings, bearings, seals, tanks, carburettors, ignition, etc.) as well as its running gear (shock absorbers, chassis mounting rubbers, pivots, etc.). In 2010, 1121272 went to the paint shop to be repainted in its original Blu Notte. In 2011, the clutch system was restored. Above all, in 2014, the V12 was completely overhauled by Stanislas Kurolonek (former Ferrari workshop foreman), notably including the replacement of 4 camshafts, the crankshaft and the 12 pistons. In 2018, the hydraulic brake and clutch circuit was overhauled in full and the air conditioning restored. More recently, in 2023, the front axle was restored, the front tyres replaced, the brakes checked and an alignment was completed. The rear wheel arch extenders, front spoiler and four wheel rims were repainted in winter 2023, then the coachwork and the passenger compartment underwent full detailing to perfect the car's presentation.
Having been serviced on a regular basis, 1121272 has been used regularly over these last 20 years. The current owner of this Countach, a supercar enthusiast, has driven the car on various occasions, whether for the opening of the 2015 Lyon-Charbonnière Rally, or the Lamborghini exhibition at the Epoqu'Auto show in 2018, along with the P140 prototype.
Today, 1121272 looks exactly as it did at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show. Its paintwork, while over 10 years old, is in very good condition despite some light wear and tear. Its blue and white upholstery still has its original leather and fabrics, having been cleaned and renovated in full recently in order to look attractive while maintaining an elegant patina.
Above all, a road test in December 2023 allowed us to observe that the car is in good working order in its entirety. The engine starts without problems and has excellent oil pressure. Revs are clear and regular, while its oil and water temperatures remain stable. The steering wheel does not show any slack in the front axle, and road handling is sound. Lastly, we were also able to check that the car's electrics work properly. It has 42,600 km on the clock at the time of writing this catalogue.
During the detailing of 1121272, we were able to check the different numbers of the Countach, allowing us to attest to its own special story and its update in 1981. These numbers, as well as the car's file, can be consulted on request.
This is a unique model, both thanks to its history and to its colour, a rare Lamborghini Countach LP400S Low-Body Series 2. Registered in France, it will be sold with its French registration document (carte grise), a substantial file containing invoices from the last 20 years, and catalogues of parts and technical manuals of its time.
● Only known Countach LP400S Series II finished in Blu Notte Metallizzato
● In the same hands for the last 20 years
● Numerous invoices included
"Developed by Walter Wolf and Gianpaolo Dallara, the LP400S was the car that the Countach should have been all along; it finally had the chassis to cope properly with the available power." – Richard Dredge, Lamborghini Miura, Countach, Diablo, Murciélago.
The legendary Miura was always going to be difficult to replace, so the way in which its successor would come to eclipse the greatest supercar of the 1960s was a stroke of genius.
The sensation of the 1971 Geneva Motor Show, the Countach was designed, like its predecessor, by Carrozzeria Bertone's Marcello Gandini. Aggressive from every angle, the Countach was no less than spectacular, appearing to have come from another planet. As Motor magazine observed: "Few people gazing at the original Bertone Countach at Geneva in 1971 could have regarded it as anything other than 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." Ultimately, the production version would only be available two years later, with deliveries commencing in 1974.
The running gear was lifted in large part from the Miura, although it had been recognised that the Miura's failings in terms of manoeuvrability and stability would not be tolerable in the Countach. At the same time, heat and noise in the passenger compartment had to be limited, and the manoeuvrability of the gearbox was improved. The Miura's four-cam V12 was reused for the Countach, although this time it was installed longitudinally and fitted with side-draught Weber carburettors. To achieve optimum weight distribution, Paolo Stanzani, the designer, positioned the five-speed gearbox in front of the engine, between the seats, and the differential - driven by a shaft passing through the oil sump - at the rear. The result was more precise gear changes and a car that was better-balanced than the Miura.
When production began in 1974, the Countach was built on an improved tubular chassis, replacing the prototype's semi-monocoque, while the coachwork was made of aluminium. One of the Countach's most distinguishing features was its doors, which opened vertically and were supported by hydraulic cylinders. The production version of the Countach had a 4.0-litre V12, instead of the prototype's 5.0-litre engine. Even with the smaller engine producing 'only' 369bhp, the aerodynamically efficient Countach could attain 170mph and, naturally, came with racetrack roadholding to match. Designated 'LP400' by the factory (LP = Longitudinale Posteriore, describing the engine placement), the first Countach is commonly known as the periscopio, after its central periscope, built into the roof, which provided rear vision.
"But for sheer outlandish eye appeal, and track-car capability that's translatable for the road, there is simply no better car. It's hard, also, to imagine a better one coming along," opined Car magazine. However, Lamborghini once again managed to improve its concept, in the form of the LP400S, which made extensive changes to the chassis and the suspension to exploit the characteristics of Pirelli's new P7 tyre. The P7's ground-breaking design offered previously unimaginable levels of grip; the improvements made to the Countach's chassis transformed the car: "It corners at 180mph: we know, we've tried it," declared Car. The LP400S was built between 1978 and 1982, by which time 237 had been produced.
Its revolutionary design set new standards. The Lamborghini Countach is one of the most iconic sports cars of the 20th Century. The LP400S version is the essence of this.
At the end of the 1970s, Lamborghini, then owned by the Swiss businessmen Georges-Henri Rosetti and René Leimer, was in great financial difficulty. In 1978, the firm was placed in safeguard proceedings by the Italian courts. Purchased by the Italian-born Alessandro Arteses, Lamborghini was having trouble bouncing back and changed hands once again in 1979, this time being sold to Raymond Noima and Hubert Hahne. Nonetheless, Automobili Lamborghini went bankrupt in 1980, and was thereby placed in judicial liquidation. It was the brothers Jean-Claude and Patrick Mimran who took up the baton in 1981.
It was in this unusual context that the life of this Countach LP400 S began. Initially commissioned by René Leimer, it was produced during 1979 in the form of an LP400 S Series 1, no.1121070, i.e. one of the first Countach S to be built. With metallic blue paint and matching blue upholstery, the Countach did not leave the factory, observing the various takeovers of the marque from the inside. It was in preparation for the Geneva Motor Show taking place from 5 to 15 March 1981 that 1121070 was upgraded by the factory to be fitted out as a Series 2. It kept its unusual Blu Notte colour, while its passenger compartment was reworked with white trim alongside the blue inserts. In addition, the Campagnolo Bravo wheel rims specific to Series 1 were replaced with the pared-down Series 2 model. It was also at this time that the rear spoiler and the Vitaloni Baby Tornado rear view mirrors, matching the paintwork, were added to the car. Becoming a Series 2, 1121070 was thus endowed with a new identity by the Sant'Agata Bolognese factory: 1121272. The chassis, the registration plates and the engine were therefore renumbered in accordance with the car's update, thereby dating its "birth" to 1981. We have also been informed that 1121272 was equipped with specific options such as wide tyres, Ansa "racing" exhausts, Weber 45 DCOE carburettors and "racing" camshafts. Completed on 27th February 1981, 1121272 was exhibited at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show, on the official Lamborghini stand, alongside the LM001 and Jalpa (chassis 40058 of 1978) prototypes , as well as a modernised Miura S (chassis 4808 of 1971) and another Countach LP400 S, with red paintwork. The latter had unfortunately already been sold when Serge W. from Switzerland visited the show, as he wished to purchase a new Countach within a very short timeframe, but wanted one with red paintwork. As a result, Mr W. bought 1121272, which Lamborghini promised to repaint red in the days following the show and after payment of an invoice of 115,000 Francs.
Registered in Switzerland under plate number VD 10894, the Countach was driven in Paris by its happy owner, who used it for almost 10 years. It was in the winter of 1993/1994 that the Countach was put into storage, following a scare on the Parisian Périphérique, leaving the left side of the coachwork with some minor damage. It was only removed from storage 13 years later, in 2004, when the current owner purchased it, in Sannois-sur-Seine. 1121272 still had its red paintwork and blue and white interior, but required much attention to be returned to its former glory. First, the car was fully recommissioned over several years, including a partial overhaul of its engine (sealing rings, bearings, seals, tanks, carburettors, ignition, etc.) as well as its running gear (shock absorbers, chassis mounting rubbers, pivots, etc.). In 2010, 1121272 went to the paint shop to be repainted in its original Blu Notte. In 2011, the clutch system was restored. Above all, in 2014, the V12 was completely overhauled by Stanislas Kurolonek (former Ferrari workshop foreman), notably including the replacement of 4 camshafts, the crankshaft and the 12 pistons. In 2018, the hydraulic brake and clutch circuit was overhauled in full and the air conditioning restored. More recently, in 2023, the front axle was restored, the front tyres replaced, the brakes checked and an alignment was completed. The rear wheel arch extenders, front spoiler and four wheel rims were repainted in winter 2023, then the coachwork and the passenger compartment underwent full detailing to perfect the car's presentation.
Having been serviced on a regular basis, 1121272 has been used regularly over these last 20 years. The current owner of this Countach, a supercar enthusiast, has driven the car on various occasions, whether for the opening of the 2015 Lyon-Charbonnière Rally, or the Lamborghini exhibition at the Epoqu'Auto show in 2018, along with the P140 prototype.
Today, 1121272 looks exactly as it did at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show. Its paintwork, while over 10 years old, is in very good condition despite some light wear and tear. Its blue and white upholstery still has its original leather and fabrics, having been cleaned and renovated in full recently in order to look attractive while maintaining an elegant patina.
Above all, a road test in December 2023 allowed us to observe that the car is in good working order in its entirety. The engine starts without problems and has excellent oil pressure. Revs are clear and regular, while its oil and water temperatures remain stable. The steering wheel does not show any slack in the front axle, and road handling is sound. Lastly, we were also able to check that the car's electrics work properly. It has 42,600 km on the clock at the time of writing this catalogue.
During the detailing of 1121272, we were able to check the different numbers of the Countach, allowing us to attest to its own special story and its update in 1981. These numbers, as well as the car's file, can be consulted on request.
This is a unique model, both thanks to its history and to its colour, a rare Lamborghini Countach LP400S Low-Body Series 2. Registered in France, it will be sold with its French registration document (carte grise), a substantial file containing invoices from the last 20 years, and catalogues of parts and technical manuals of its time.
Footnotes
Ex-Salon de Genève 1981
1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400S SERIES II
Châssis n°1121272
Moteur n°1121272
• Rare version dite ''Low-Body''
• Seule Countach LP400S Serie 2 connue en peinture Blu Notte Metallizzato
• Entre les mêmes mains depuis 20 ans
• Important dossier de factures
"Développée par Walter Wolf et Gianpaolo Dallara, la LP400S était la voiture que la Countach aurait dû être depuis le début ; elle disposait enfin du châssis nécessaire pour gérer correctement la puissance disponible." – Richard Dredge, Lamborghini Miura, Countach, Diablo, Murciélago.
La légendaire Miura allait être difficile à remplacer, alors la manière avec laquelle sa successeure allait éclipser la plus grande supercar des années 1960, fut un coup de génie.
Sensation du Salon de Genève de 1971, la Countach a été dessinée, comme sa prédécesseuse, par Marcello Gandini de la Carrozzeria Bertone. Agressive sous tous les angles, la Countach n'était rien de moins que spectaculaire, suggérant qu'elle avait été conçue sur une autre planète. Comme l'observait le magazine Motor : « En 1971, peu de gens qui regardaient la Countach originale auraient pu la considérer comme autre chose qu'un concept car. Il y avait ces portes pour commencer, puis ce cockpit d'avion, avec son épouvantable visibilité arrière, sans parler de l'étrange configuration moteur/transmission. Heureusement, Lamborghini a ignoré les critiques sur le prétendu manque de praticité de la voiture, et la Countach est entrée en production et n'a été modifiée que dans les détails. ». Finalement, la version de production ne sera disponible qu'après deux ans, les livraisons commençant en 1974.
Les trains roulants étaient en grande partie repris de la Miura, même s'il était reconnu que les défauts de cette dernière en termes de maniabilité et de stabilité ne seraient pas tolérables sur la Countach. Dans le même temps, la chaleur et le bruit dans l'habitacle ont dû être limités tandis que la maniabilité de la boite de vitesse était adoucie. Le V12 à quatre arbres à cames de la Miura a été retenu pour la Countach, bien que cette fois installé longitudinalement et équipé de carburateurs Weber à tringlerie latérale. Pour obtenir une répartition optimale du poids, le designer Paolo Stanzani a placé la boîte de vitesses à cinq rapports devant le moteur, entre les sièges, et le différentiel - entraîné par un arbre traversant le carter - à l'arrière. Le résultat fut un changement de vitesse plus précis et une voiture mieux équilibrée que la Miura.
Lorsque la production a commencé en 1974, la Countach arborait un châssis tubulaire amélioré, remplaçant le semi-monocoque du prototype, la carrosserie, elle, était en aluminium. L'une des caractéristiques les plus frappantes de la Countach était les portes, qui s'ouvraient verticalement et étaient soutenues par des vérins hydrauliques. La Countach de production était équipée du V12 4,0 litres - au lieu du moteur 5,0 litres du prototype. Même avec le plus petit moteur produisant « seulement » 375 chevaux, la Countach pouvait atteindre 274 km/h grâce à son aérodynamique travaillée et, naturellement, elle était dotée d'une tenue de route adaptée aux circuits. Désignée « LP400 » par l'usine (LP = Longitudinale Posteriore, décrivant l'emplacement du moteur), la première Countach est communément connue sous le nom de « periscopio », du nom de son périscope central, percé dans le toit, qui offrait une vision vers l'arrière.
« En termes d'esthétique et de performances de voiture de course transposables sur la route, il n'y a tout simplement pas de meilleure voiture. Il est également difficile d'en imaginer une meilleure", a déclaré le magazine Car. Pourtant, Lamborghini parvint encore à améliorer son concept, sous la forme de la LP400S, qui présentait d'importantes modifications du châssis et de la suspension pour exploiter les caractéristiques du nouveau pneu P7 de Pirelli. Grâce à son design révolutionnaire, le P7 offre des niveaux d'adhérence jusqu'alors inimaginables ; les améliorations apportées au châssis de la Countach ont transformé la voiture : « Elle monte à 300 km/h : on le sait, on l'a essayé », déclare Car. La LP400S a été produite entre 1978 et 1982, date à laquelle 237 exemplaires avaient été fabriqués.
Son design révolutionnaire a établi de nouvelles normes. La Lamborghini Countach est l'une des voitures de sport les plus emblématiques du XXème siècle. Sa version LP400S en est sûrement la quintessence.
Nous sommes à la fin des années 1970, Lamborghini, alors propriété des Suisses Georges-Henri Rosetti et René Leimer, connait de grandes difficultés financières. En 1978, la firme est mise sous procédure de sauvegarde par les tribunaux italiens. Acquise par l'italien Alessandro Arteses, Lamborghini ne parvient pas à remonter la pente et doit à nouveau changer de mains en 1979, au profit de Raymond Noima et Hubert Hahne. Pour autant, Automobili Lamborghini fait faillite en 1980 et est ainsi voit placée en liquidation judiciaire. Ce sont donc les frères Jean-Claude et Patrick Mimran qui reprennent le flambeau en 1981.
C'est dans ce contexte tout particulier que commence la vie de cette Countach LP400 S. Initialement commandée par René Leimer, elle fut produite dans le courant de l'année 1979 sous la forme d'une LP400 S Série 1, numéro 1121070, soit, l'une des 50 premières Countach S fabriquées. Peinte en bleu métallique assorti d'une sellerie bleue, la Countach ne quitte finalement pas l'usine, observant les différents rachats de la marque depuis l'intérieur. C'est finalement en préparation du Salon de Genève ayant lieu du 5 au 15 mars 1981, que 1121070 est mise à jour par l'usine pour recevoir les éléments de la Série 2. Elle conserve sa couleur Blu Notte spécifique, tandis que son habitacle bleu est revu avec des inserts blancs. Également, les jantes Campagnolo Bravo spécifiques aux Séries 1 sont remplacées par le modèle épuré des Séries 2. C'est également à cet instant que la voiture reçoit son aileron arrière et ses rétroviseurs Vitaloni Baby Tornado assortis à la peinture. Devenant alors une Série 2, 1121070 se voit alors confié une nouvelle identité par l'usine de Sant'Agata Bolognese : 1121272. Le châssis, les plaques d'identification ainsi que le moteur sont donc renumérotés en conformité avec la mise à jour de la voiture actant désormais sa naissance en 1981. Par ailleurs, il nous est indiqué que 1121272 fut équipée d'options spécifiques telles que les pneus avant ''large'', les échappements Ansa ''course'', les carburateurs Weber 45 DCOE, ainsi que les arbres à cames ''course''. Prête en date du 27 février 1981, 1121272 est exposée au Salon de Genève 1981, sur le stand officiel Lamborghini, aux côtés des prototypes LM001 et Jalpa (châssis 40058 de 1978), ainsi que d'une Miura S modernisée (châssis 4808 de 1971) et d'une autre Countach LP400 S, rouge pour sa part. Cette dernière était malheureusement déjà vendue lorsque le Suisse Serge W. visite le Salon, or, il souhaite alors acquérir une Countach neuve dans un délai des plus restreins, mais il la souhaite peinte en rouge. Par conséquent, Monsieur W. se porte donc acquéreur de 1121272 que Lamborghini promet de repeindre en rouge dans les jours suivant le salon et après acquittement d'une facture de 115 000 Francs.
Immatriculée en Suisse sous le numéro VD 10894, la Countach fut conduite à Paris par son heureux propriétaire qui s'en servit pendant près de 10 ans. C'est en effet pendant l'hiver 1993/1994, que la Countach est remisée, à la suite d'une frayeur sur le périphérique parisien, endommageant légèrement le côté gauche de sa carrosserie. Elle ne revoit la lumière que 13 ans plus tard, en 2004, lorsque le propriétaire actuel en fait l'acquisition, à Sannois-sur-Seine. 1121272 portait encore sa peinture rouge et son habitacle bleu et blanc, mais nécessitait de nombreux soins pour retrouver sa gloire. Dans un premier temps, la voiture connaît une remise en route complète sur plusieurs années, comprenant une réfection partielle de son moteur (segments, coussinets, joints, réservoirs, carburateurs, allumage...), ainsi que de ses trains roulants (amortisseurs, roulements, silentblocs, pivots...). En 2010, 1121272 entre en carrosserie pour être repeinte dans son Blu Notte d'origine. En 2011, le système d'embrayage est remis à neuf. Surtout, en 2014, le V12 connaît une réfection complète par Stanislas Kurolonek (ancien chef d'atelier Ferrari), comprenant notamment le remplacement des quatre arbres à cames, du vilebrequin et des douze pistons. En 2018, le circuit hydraulique de freinage et d'embrayage est révisé intégralement et la climatisation remise en état. Plus récemment, en 2023, le train avant est remis à neuf, les pneus avant remplacés, le freinage révisé et une géométrie réalisée. Les élargisseurs d'ailes arrière, le spoiler avant et les quatre jantes sont repeints pendant l'hiver 2023 puis la carrosserie comme l'habitacle connaissent un detailing complet pour parfaire la présentation de la voiture.
Sujette à un entretien régulier, 1121272 fut régulièrement utilisée au cours de ces vingt dernières années. En effet, passionné de supercars, le propriétaire actuel de cette Countach l'a conduite à diverses occasions, qu'il s'agisse de l'ouverture du Rallye Lyon-Charbonnière 2015 ou l'exposition Lamborghini au Salon Epoqu'Auto 2018, aux côtés du prototype P140.
Aujourd'hui, 1121272 se présente dans sa configuration exacte du Salon de Genève 1981. Sa peinture, bien qu'ayant plus de 10 ans, présente encore très bien malgré quelques légers défauts d'usage. Sa sellerie bleu et blanche conserve ses cuirs et tissus d'origine, le tout fut nettoyé et rénové récemment pour offrir une belle présentation tout en conservant une élégante patine.
Surtout, lors d'un essai routier, au mois de décembre 2023, nous avons pu constater un bon fonctionnement de la voiture dans sa globalité. Le moteur démarre sans encombre et affiche une excellente pression d'huile. Les montées en régime sont franches et régulières tandis que les températures d'eau et d'huile restent stables. Le volant ne fait pas remonter de jeu particulier dans le train avant et la tenue de route est saine. Enfin, nous également pu vérifier le bon fonctionnement des équipements électriques de la voiture. Elle affiche 42 600 kilomètres au moment de la rédaction de ce catalogue.
Lors du detailing de 1121272, nous avons pu effectuer un relevé des différents numéros de la Countach, permettant de témoigner de son histoire toute particulière et de sa mise à jour de 1981. Ces numéros, ainsi que le dossier de la voiture sont consultables sur demande.
Il s'agit là d'un exemplaire unique, tant par son histoire, que par ses coloris, d'une rare Lamborghini Countach LP400 S 'Low-Body' Série 2. Immatriculée en France, elle sera vendue avec sa carte grise, un important dossier de factures courant sur les 20 dernières années, ainsi que les catalogues de pièces et revues techniques d'époque.
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