Story by Contact Person: Dane Halkiw
Photography by: Zach Brehl (@zachbrehl)
1986 Lamborghini Countach LP5000 Quattrovalvole (QV)
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Country of original delivery: Canada
Chassis/VIN: GLA12978
Mileage: 25,334 kms (15,742 miles)
Certification : Polo Storico Certification
Price: Call for Price
The Car | A factory rebuild: The final Countach assembled by Automobili Lamborghini in period
- One of 66 Fuel Injected Countach LP5000 QV examples produced
- Believed to be the only Countach fully reconstructed by Automobili Lamborghini in period (1990-1992), accordingly making it the final Countach to be finished by the factory
- Fully documented with period correspondence with the factory
- Offered from single ownership since 1988
- Totally preserved since completion at Lamborghini in 1992 with 25,334 kms
“Not only has the Countach been the flat-out farthest-out car on the market for ten years […], but it is so far out that all the others have conceded the market. Its continued presence has caused Lamborghini to be perceived as a company that will stop at nothing”
—Car and Driver, 1983
Petrolicious Private Sales is proud to offer a one-off example of the legendary Lamborghini Countach—a car which Automobili Lamborghini reconstructed “piece by piece” at their factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese from 1990 to 1992.
This Countach LP5000 QV, #12978, is one of only 66 fuel injected versions produced. It was finished in Rosso over Champagne, equipped with USA-specific bumpers, and originally delivered on April 17, 1986, to a dealership called Autolynn in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
In the summer of 1988, the car was owned by a real estate agent who, after an afternoon drive, parked it in his driveway. For reasons unknown, the car’s engine spontaneously combusted, causing extensive damage to the drivetrain, body panels, and interior.
Enter the current owner—an Italian native—who in 1988, had been mesmerised by the Countach model for years, and saw this car as an opportunity to own. Insurance companies deemed it to be a write-off due to the scarcity and cost of replacement parts, but the owner was up for the challenge of bringing it back to life.
The search for parts was arduous. “I called every Lamborghini dealer in North America, faxed lists, and made countless calls, only to be told that parts were unavailable or would take months to arrive,” the owner recounts. Then, an unexpected call came from a Toronto lawyer representing Automobili Lamborghini. The factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese had been made aware of the owner’s search for parts throughout North America and suggested that the car be returned to Italy for assessment. In 1989, the owner shipped the car back to Italy by plane. Lamborghini’s sales manager, Ubaldo Sgarzi, confirmed its eventual receipt at the factory and outlined plans to prepare an estimate for a complete rebuild.
In March of 1990, the factory rebuild commenced. With the production of the 25th Anniversary Countach model coming to a close at the time, many parts to reconstruct a 1986 model had to be hand-built or specially ordered from original suppliers.
Upon completion in 1992, a letter from Giuseppe Girotti—Lamborghini’s Technical Director—states that the cost of reconstructing the car “exceeded the original price of a new car as we had to rebuild a new automobile piece by piece and not on an assembly line”. The exhaustive rebuild took two and a half years and reportedly cost over $240,000 USD — $30,000 more than the price of a brand new Diablo at the time. “The documentation is immense,” says the owner. Invoices, receipts, and correspondences with Valentino Balboni and Giuseppe Girotti attest to what became a full reconstruction by Automobili Lamborghini.
As part of the reconstruction process, the car was finished with 1988 specification side-skirts in addition to a rear wing, making this example the only 1986 Countach to be fitted with such features by the factory.
Now offered from single ownership of 36 years, this Countach stands as a testament to one Italian man’s dream of owning the perfect Countach, and a representation of Lamborghini as “a company that will stop at nothing”.
Condition | exterior
Body – Although this Countach rolled off the production line in 1986, it was fitted by the factory with 1988 side skirts and a 1988 engine lid. A wing was also added upon completion of the restoration, as the car was born without one. This was done at the request of the owner, and makes it even more of a one-off example.
All panels are original and matching on this Lamborghini. Since its restoration, the vehicle has never been involved in any road incident, and no corrosion is noted on or under the car. The front bumper, side skirts, and air intakes are free of rock chips or scratches; no Paint Protection Film is applied to the car.
Underbody – Pictures of the undercarriage can be provided upon request, showing no signs of corrosion.
Paint – Countach #12978 rolled off the production line in stunning Rosso over Champagne. Paint thickness measurements are available on demand : no paint work has been performed on the car since its full restoration was completed on 10/23/1992.
Condition | interior
Dashboard & Instrumentation – The speedometer and odometer are both shown in metric units (kilometers), as all Countach examples were. Only 25,334 kms have been driven since completion by Automobili Lamborghini in 1992.
Seats, Trim, & Carpet – All materials and trim in the car’s cockpit are original to 1992 and have been treated with the utmost care. They present in as-new condition, though it should be noted that the headliner is starting to show its age.
Door sills – Both door sills are in impeccable condition, showing no scuff marks or scratches.
Keys, Instruction Manuals, tools – Two original keys are included with the car. Instruction manuals are also accompanied, as well as thorough paperwork and correspondence between the custodian and Lamborghini factory – documenting the entire restoration process. A Polo Storico Certification is also accompanying the car.
Condition | mechanical
Servicing history – The car is accompanied by full service history since completion of the restoration by Automobili Lamborghini.
Original & Matching Motor?: Yes.
Original & Matching Transmission?: Yes.
Original Exhaust System?: Yes.
Wheels – The wheels are original units and show literally no signs of usage. The original tires from 1992 completion are still fitted to the car, and a new set of tires will accompany the sale.
Our thoughts on this Lamborghini Countach LP5000 Quattrovalvole
This is an exceptionally rare opportunity to purchase a Countach that stands out from any other. Rarely does a car’s unfortunate fate result in its renaissance as a brand new car at the factory. This is an example which the artisans at Automobili Lamborghini in Sant’Agata Bolognese rebuilt by hand at the conclusion of Countach production.
It is, accordingly, believed that this is the final Countach example assembled at the Lamborghini factory in period—at a time when restoration techniques, after-sales service, sophisticated technology, and production line management were nonexistent.
The car features factory design elements from 1988, despite its 1986 model year. It has been fastidiously maintained by its second and current owner of 36 years. And it remains in excellent condition, impeccably preserved since its completion by Lamborghini in 1992—ready for its next custodian to enjoy.
Please inquire for more information and pricing.
