Some might say the Lamborghini Countach is the supercar of the Eighties, but the original LP5000 prototype was shown in the early Seventies while the LP400 production model was being delivered to customers from 1974 on. Those ‘narrow body’ cars are now demanding seven figures to add to your collection … but it wasn’t until 1978 when Lamborghini showed the wide fender, big wing, S model to the world before the Countach really set the reference on the exotic car market.
The massive rear wing reduced top speed but it looked so cool most Countach were ordered with it anyway and this Lamborghini became the poster car for an entire generation in the Eighties … when the Quattrovalvole came out in 1985 it was the most powerful Lamborghini ever with 455 bhp on the European market, for the United States market a Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection had to be installed, additional DOT and EPA requirements resulted in a reduced power of 420 bhp, a different engine cover as seen on this specific 1987 Countach Quattrovalvole was needed too.
Chassis number ZA9CA05A1HLA12110 left the factory in Sant’Agata in February 1987 for the United States (hence the fuel injected engine), in the late Nineties this Countach was shipped to Japan to stay there until 2014 when she was brought back to Europe to where the car was sent to the then new PoloStorico department for a restoration.
It would take an entire year from start to finish to rebuild this Lamborghini Countach Quattrovalvole, during which they discovered this to be one of only two Countach with 14ct gold plated trim inside and out … something that is stated in the official documentation that comes with this car since the restoration, if this gold plating was executed at the factory back in 1987 during the initial build is part of a heated debate on an online forum. A complete book comes with this car featuring photos taken during the restoration, depicting the work done by PoloStorico and a certificate from the PoloStorico department on the authenticity of this rare Countach.
The car was returned to the original white on white configuration during this engine-out, bare metal restoration and the Dutch owner had the massive rear wing removed from her by PoloStorico to create a very clean side profile, add the very special ‘telephone dial’ rims in white and this 1987 Countach looks like a time-traveler from the Eighties, when white on white was very much in fashion … together with gold finish, so adding the 14ct gold plating inside and outside really sets this car apart from the rest.
As this was a Countach for the US market a few other items have been changed during the restoration, normally the 1987 Quattrovalvole being sold in the US not only had their Weber carburetors replaced by fuel injection, but they also received large, black front bumpers and four black rubber ‘bumpers’ at the rear … neither are still seen on this specific Countach now (many owners have removed the rather ugly US bumpers and replaced them with the more stylish Euro bumpers) but also the side lights required in the US are gone … chassis HLA12110 now looks like a European specs Countach but with fuel injection.
On the outside, you’ll notice the rear lettering to be gold plated together with the exhaust tips and the button to open the doors inside the Naca duct … once you open the door the ‘Midas touch’ greets you on several places … the inner door sills are completely gold plated, the seat belt clamps and trim is also gold plated, the gear shift lever and gated shifter boast the same finish while the custom made dials in red over a white background are set inside a fully gold plated bezel … even the door handle inside the pocket is gold plated … in this case it is ‘all that shines is gold’ …
With only 13,032 km shown on the Odometer (that goes up to 400 Km/h mind you) this Countach Quattrovalvole looks as new as it did over 30 years ago, stated as being the very first Countach ever to be restored by the PoloStorico department, and being fitted with 14ct gold plated trim that has been mentioned as being one of only two … this is indeed a very rare and desirable Countach.
In mid 2016 this car was listed for sale in the Netherland at €1,200,000, but RM Auctions / Sotheby’s put an estimate on this car between €475,000 and €575,000 (US$ 517,500-626,500) in their May 27 auction at Villa Erba … which is rather steep for a Countach Quattrovalvole, but keeping in mind this Bull has been restored right at the factory where she was built 30 years ago and being one of only two with the 14ct gold plating she might even go higher … we’ll have to wait and see.
All photos copyright RM Auctions / Sotheby’s
