• Landmark Lamborghini model
• First owned by a member of the Saudi Arabian royal family
• Resident in Norway since 1987
• Present ownership since 2005
• Maintained to a high standard

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 Carrozzeria 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 albeit after a two-year delay (deliveries commenced 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 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-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 (5000 S) 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.

Finished in striking all-white livery, this Countach 5000 S is said to have been purchased new by a member of the Saudi Arabian royal family in 1984. Chassis number '12681' is the 595th Countach built and one of 321 examples of the 5000 S manufactured between 1982 and 1985. It left the factory finished in white with matching interior, and equipped with the factory-option rear wing. The Countach was delivered to the long-time Lamborghini dealership Achilli in Milan, which was responsible for RoW (Rest of the World) markets.

Imported into Norway in 1987, the car was bought by current owner in 2005 having previously belonged to the prominent Lamborghini collector, Harald Skjøldt. Since its acquisition by the vendor the Countach has been maintained to a high standard and professionally storage in a heated garage. (The current owner is 71 years old and worked for the Ford Motor Company for 40 years as chief technician and workshop manager.) A major engine-out service/rebuild was undertaken when our vendor bought the car, and a respray in its original colour was carried out in 2009; air filters have been fitted to the carburettors and the air conditioning belt disconnected.

Still awesome, even by today's standards, the Countach has lost none of its presence since the day it was launched. Offered with a user manual for the 5000 S and a Norwegian registration document, '12681' represents an exciting opportunity to acquire a highly original and unmolested example of this iconic Italian supercar.

We would like to thank Lamborghini Historian Olivier Nameche for his assistance with this description.

Please note that this vehicle is from outside the UK. Our customs agents, CARS UK, will manage all post sale customs administration. A fee of £350+VAT will be charged on the buyer's invoice to administer both import or export customs movements. If the buyer also chooses to ship with CARS UK, this will be quoted separately. If this vehicle is to stay in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the standard rate of 20% and Import Duty at 10%+VAT on the hammer price. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department.