Chassis No. ZA9C005A0FLA12831

Engine No. 1063

Chassis No. ZA9C005A0FLA12831

Engine No. 1063

While the Lamborghini Countach dominates our collective memory as the definitive supercar of the 1980s, its story began in 1971 when Marcello Gandini's bold LP500 concept debuted at that year's Geneva Motor Show. The car's dramatic proportions-characterized by its aggressive, low-slung stance and angular shape-were a dramatic departure from the curvaceous Miura and instantly redefined the boundaries of supercar design.

By 1985, eleven years on from the pure, minimalist LP400 "Periscopio" model of 1974, Gandini's masterpiece had evolved. The silhouette had grown both wider and taller by two inches, while both aesthetic and functional vents accumulated over the years. The introduction of the Countach LP400 S in 1978 had brought substantial changes, namely its massive 345-section rear tires and their accompanying wide fenders. Also contributing to the Countach's now-iconic silhouette was an optional V-shaped rear wing and its signature Campagnolo "telephone dial" wheels. The 1982 model year saw another update dubbed the LP500 S, with an increase in displacement to 4.8liters.

The LP5000 Quattrovalvole followed in 1985, marking what most collectors consider to be the pinnacle of Countach development. Its mechanical specification centered around another enlargement of Lamborghini's Bizzarrini V12 engine to 5.2 liters with four valves per cylinder head, now rated up to 449 horsepower and 369 ft-lb of torque. United States market examples are distinguishable by their twin-humped engine cover, necessitated by fuel injection equipment (reducing output to 420 horsepower), while other markets retained a distinctive single-hump design concealing the six vertical double-barrel Weber carburetors and the massive air filter. Affectionately known by enthusiasts today as the Countach "Downdraft," carbureted QVs were the most powerful production variant of the Countach and are fiercely prized today, with collector and historian Joe Sackey writing, "Lamborghini's six vertical twin-barrel (44 DCNF) Weber Carburetor engine (Carburatori Motore Tipo L 507 V4) was the pinnacle of Countach performance engines during the legendary sports car's 14-year [sic] production at Sant 'Agata, indisputable fact."

This European-market 1985 Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole, chassis number 12831, is one of less than 380 QVs equipped with the coveted six double-barrel carburetor configuration from Nuova Automobile Lamborghini S.p.A. between 1985 and 1988. Early QVs also benefit from the so-called "round belly" design, named for its absence of side skirts added on later cars, making chassis 12831 arguably the ultimate Countach specification. This is only enhanced by its bedroom poster-worthy color scheme of red with silver Ruote O.Z. telephone dial wheels over a beige leather interior, complete with a correct Alpine 7148L cassette stereo.

While much of its early history remains undocumented, the car was clearly cherished by enthusiast owners judging by its current presentation, including its original red finish and beige leather hides, both in wonderful condition. The Lamborghini was purchased by the current Texas-based collector in 2020 and has since received maintenance from noted restoration shop Team CJ Works in Austin, Texas. This work included overhauling the air conditioning system in July 2023 with a new compressor and conversion to R134a refrigerant, as well as bleeding the brakes and installing a new master cylinder that November.

The Lamborghini Countach reshaped automotive design when it debuted in the 1970s, establishing the blueprint for modern supercars. This particular 5000 Quattrovalvole, finished in striking red and showing just 10,693 kilometers, exemplifies the result of consistent refinements over the first 11 years of production. The mechanical symphony produced by its six Weber carburetors drawing in air, combined with the resonant voice of its Tubi exhaust system, creates an unforgettable auditory experience that only a downdraft-carbureted Bizzarrini V12 can deliver. For collectors seeking the pinnacle of 1980s Italian engineering and design, this example combines the most sought-after Countach specification with documented maintenance history to ensure continued enjoyment of this automotive legend.