Lamborghini Countach LP5000 Quattrovalvole

Details

There is no doubt the Lamborghini Countach was THE first supercar. First shown to the world at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show the prototype Countach shocked the world. Surely ‘just another show car’ they said. The Miura was a tough act to follow and Bertone’s design team pushed the boundaries to create what is today one of the most recognisable shapes on the planet! Supposedly named after an Italian slang expression of awe or astonishment the Countach became reality when the first production car rolled off the Sant’ Agata production line in 1974.

The original LP400 was replaced by the LP400S in 1978. The “S” model had the wide wheel arches and uprated suspension to accommodate the massive Pirelli P7 tyres / Campagnolo wheel rims along with other subtle improvements. In 1982 the LP500S (also referred to as the LP5000S) was introduced. The major change here was the increased engine capacity from 3929 cc to 4754cc. The Countach continued to evolve and in the 1985 the LP5000 Quattrovalvole (or “QV”) was introduced. With the “QV” the engine was improved again, bored and stroked to 5.2 litres (5,167 cc) and given four valves per cylinder (quattrovalvole in Italian). The final variant of the Countach, the 25th Anniversary, was released in 1988.

In total circa 2,000 Countaches were built spanning an amazing 17 years of production from 1974 to 1990. Of these just 676 were Countach LP5000 Quattrovalvoles.

In the January 2011 issue of Classic & Sports Car magazine, Alastair Clements joined the ultimate Bull Run to convoy a Countach LP400, a “QV” and a 25th Anniversary across the alps. Clements closing comments were about the Lamborghini Countach LP5000 Quattrovalvole ” . . . its time has most definitely come.This super-cool bewinged wonder is the car Swiss crowd most want to photograph, and for the lucky few who get to drive one it’s the Countach that best blends the thrills of the early car with a welcome – if limited – dose of cabin civility and the rocketship performance of its steroid enhanced engine. And what an engine! What grip! What balance! What poise! . . .”

This rare right hand drive 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000 Quatrovalvole is believed to have been the first “QV” sold new in Australia. The car’s compliance plate is dated August 1985.

The car was featured in the October 1985 issue of Modern Motor magazine and was delivered new from the factory with red wheels. The article states that the car was sold new by Paul Halstead’s The Toy Shop based in North Sydney. According to Paul this was the first “QV” imported into Australia and one of three done so by The Toy Shop (the second and third cars were white and black respectively). The car was sold new to a property developer who lived between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. At the time there was no Lamborghini dealer in Brisbane so Henry Nehrybecki from Lolita Automobile Developments (the Sydney based Lamborghini service agent) flew to Brisbane on a number of occasions to service the car for the owner. The car was well used in its first few years of ownership and the Service Book is stamped with the cars 10,000km service on 14/8/86 and its 20,000km service on 26/4/87. Its 25,000km service (actual mileage 23,000km) is dated 17/3/90, its 35,000km service (actual mileage 38,100km) is dated 17/6/92 and its 40,000km service is dated 12/5/94. The car was then sold into Adelaide and was subsequently repossessed and sold through Kearns Auctions (in Adelaide). The car did not sell at auction, however, it was sold soon after to local car enthusiast who at the time also owned a white Lamborghini Countach LP400 that had been converted to ‘S’ specifications. The car was regularly serviced by Ital Service in Adelaide and the owner recalled having the car for a number of years before selling it into Brisbane. Luigi from Ital Service remembers the car well and in addition to regularly servicing the car, in July 1994 he removed the engine to replace the clutch and repair the gearbox on the car (according to the owner the second gear synchro was ‘notchy’). It’s ownership for the second time in Brisbane is unknown, however, it is believed to have been with the same owner from ~ 1997 through to 2003. The car was sparingly used and is believed to have been in dry storage and not driven for many years. The car was registered in Queensland as 109 EMD and advertised for sale in Unique Cars magazine in June 1998 and again by the same owner in August 2000.

The car was purchased by the current owner from a Pickles Auction in Sydney in June 2003. The car had been repossessed, was being sold un-registered and with a known clutch/gearbox problem. The mileage at that time was 44,108 km.

Following the purchase of the car it was recommissioned and from that time it has been fastidiously maintained ever since. The car was repainted in 2005 and in the last twelve months the car has had a new clutch fitted, a major service completed, the suspension rebuilt and has been fitted with a new set of tyres. Today the mileage is 69,430 km.

The car is owned by a passionate Lamborghini enthusiast and the car has been regularly seen at Club events and used on Club runs. The car was voted as ‘People’s Choice – Best Lamborghini’ at the Lamborghini Extravaganza held in Melbourne in April 2009. This event attracted 50 Lamborghinis and this car was selected from a field including the latest Murcielagos and Gallardos as well as Diablos, a Jalpa, a Silhouette, Urracos, Espadas, Miuras, 400GT’s and a number of other Countach! The car was also judged as third best Lamborghini (out of 30 cars) at the Noosa Beach Classic Car Show held in September 2005 and won a second place overall at Auto Italia in Canberra one year.

Today the car presents fabulously inside and out. When approaching the car you are immediately drawn to the quality of the paintwork, which is outstanding. This is complemented by the crisp and sharp body lines and panel gaps which are excellent. The trade mark scissor doors open and close smoothly and all of the brightwork/chrome, glass, trim and lenses are in excellent condition. The car retains an original Countach windscreen with built in aerial.

The quality of the interior, including the seats, carpets and the instruments and controls match the exterior of the car.

The car is presented today in its original colour scheme of red with black trim, which is without doubt one of the best and most popular colour combinations for the Countach.

Being an early model car it is fitted with the six Weber carburettors.

The car comes with its original service book and an owners manual.

The car needs nothing other than for its new owner to drive it and enjoy it!

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