• A model perfected by Horacio Pagani and Sandro Munari
• Present ownership in Switzerland since 2014
• Currently displaying 23,084 kilometres
• Requires recommissioning

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. Lamborghini's four-cam V12 was retained, 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 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 273km/h (170mph) and, as one would expect, came with racetrack roadholding to match. The car'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 in 1985, the latter's 300km/h (186mph) top speed making it –-at the time - the world's fastest car.

The Countach's ultimate development, considered by many to be the most desirable, arrived in September 1988. Launched at the Italian Grand Prix, Monza, this was the Anniversario, introduced to celebrate Lamborghini's 25th anniversary as a motor manufacturer. It had been intended to sell the Anniversario in limited numbers, but it would turn out to be the best-selling Lamborghini until the arrival of the Diablo.

Restyled and updated, the Anniversario incorporated hundreds of subtle changes and improvements over the Quattrovalvole. The body was reworked by designer Horacio Pagani, creator of the Pagani Zonda, gaining a new nose and front bumper/spoiler incorporating front brake air ducts. US-destined cars retained the ugly '5mph' impact-resistant bumper, while the new rear bumper was common to both US and European models. The most striking difference in the Anniversario's appearance was in the treatment of the radiator air intakes directly behind the doors, which featured thicker vertical strakes, colour-matched to the body. Beneath the skin the chassis had been extensively updated for improved handling, its development assisted by none other than three-time World Rally Champion, Sandro Munari. Split-rim forged alloy OZ wheels were adopted for the Anniversario, shod with Pirelli's new 'P Zero' dual-compound asymmetrical-tread tyres. Available with carburettors in Europe or fuel injection in the USA, the V12 engine was virtually unchanged from the Quattrovalvole. Powered by the 5,167cc Qv V12 producing 455bhp, the Anniversario delivers an impressive 0-60mph acceleration time of 5.2 seconds and has a top speed of 298km/h (185mph). In total, 657 Countach Anniversario models were made between September 1988 and April 1990, one of the many high-profile owners being ex-Formula 1 World Champion Mario Andretti.

This Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary model was first registered on 22nd September 1989. Records indicate that the car was originally imported from Italy into Germany, with the German registration file specifically noting that it was a used import. The vehicle was first registered in Berlin in March 2001.

In April 2003, ownership transferred a resident of Zeitlofs, Germany. During this period the vehicle underwent German TÜV and DEKRA inspections. The file also contains a DEKRA inspection report dated 2007 (while still in the ownership of its last German owner, who may have owned the car until 2014) showing an odometer reading of 23,055 kilometres and confirming that the vehicle passed its inspection without any recorded defects. The Lamborghini was imported into Switzerland on 9th October 2014.

Unfortunately, we could not get the Countach running as its engine is inoperable. Following a period of static storage, this car will need a thorough mechanical recommissioning, or possibly more extensive mechanical restoration, before further use and thus is sold strictly as viewed. The car comes with its original warranty documents and service book as well as the owner's manual for the Alpine 7385L stereo system.

Please note that, subject to acceptance by Belgian Customs as a qualifying collector's vehicle, if this vehicle is imported and remains in Belgium it will benefit from 0% Import Duty and the reduced Belgian Import VAT rate of 6%. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, import rates and VAT treatment may vary if the vehicle is imported into another EU Member State. An administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearances with the Bonhams Customs Agents. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Car Department or our recommended shippers.