After the ground-breaking Lamborghini Miura stunned crowds at the 1965 Geneva Motor Show with its mid-mounted transverse V-12, it was hard to imagine how designer Marcello Gandini might surpass it. But, in 1971, he did it again with the outrageous LP 400 Countach. It predicated the angular style typical of the 1980s, ten years in advance. The four-liter V-12 generated 375 horsepower, enough to push the car to 180 mph. Upwards-hinging “scissor doors” proved a magnetic attraction.

The Countach was the stuff of schoolboy dreams, and it evolved constantly: adding vents to aid engine cooling, fender flares for wider tires, and safety bumpers for the American market. A total of 110 early “periscopo” models were built between 1974 and 1977, with a novel prismatic mirror arrangement to overcome the paucity of rear vision. (Seventy-seven additional examples of the LP 400 were then produced with more conventional mirrors.) The 400S was introduced in 1978, with fender flares and an optional rear wing.

The LP 500S, also known as the 5000S, of 1982 bumped the engine size to almost five liters, but stiffer U.S. emission regulations meant that carburettor grey market imports could no longer pass EPA standards.

The car offered here today was delivered new to a Mr Edwardo Ortuzar on 01/06/1984 via Lamborghini Monaco, finished in White over White with White wheels. The car was exported to the United States shortly after where it spent its time being enjoyed throughout Beverly Hills. The car came to the UK in the 90's where it was well looked after by various marque specialists. The Countach benefits from a recent comprehensive engine out service, new clutch, overhaul of cooling system and new gearbox & differential seals less than 100km ago. The car has been known to Furlonger since the mid 2000's as it was stored in a well known motor museum.

Complete with original service book, documented history, various invoices and original keys, this poses a great opportunity to own a wonderful Countach 5000S.