1989 Lamborghini Countach
25th Anniversary-
Baujahr1989
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AutomobiltypSonstige
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Losnummer120
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ReferenznummerSM22_r0016
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ZustandGebraucht
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Standort
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AußenfarbeSonstige
Beschreibung
To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' St. Moritz event, 9 September 2022.
- One of an estimated 650 examples of the Countach 25th Anniversary, the final evolution of the iconic Raging Bull
- Arguably the most refined Countach, notably restyled by Horacio Pagani
- Powered by a 5.2-litre V-12, rated by the factory at 449 horsepower
- Delivered new to the United States; odometer shows just 12,484 km from new
- Finished in Rosso Siviglia over a tan leather interior
Such was the allure of the Lamborghini Countach by the end of the 1980s, each of the final cars made were spoken for before they had even left the Sant’Agata Bolognese factory. The wedge-shaped Raging Bull held a strong pull among supercar enthusiasts from the moment the covers were first lifted to reveal the LP500 prototype at the 1971 Geneva International Motor Show. Over a 16-year production run that began three years after its unveiling, the Countach underwent several revisions, beginning with Marcello Gandini’s lauded LP400 ‘Periscopio’ and bookended by the last-of-the-line 25th Anniversary iteration.
After the commemorative special edition was revealed, it instantly sold out. Only Lamborghini’s most valued customers were granted the opportunity to buy one of the estimated 650 examples made of the 25th Anniversary car. Conceived to mark a quarter of a century since Ferrucio Lamborghini founded his eponymous company, the legendary supercar came to personify the era of excess.
The newest Countach shared many features with the preceding 5000 QV, including the 5.2-litre V-12 powerplant that made these final run-out variants of the Countach the most potent yet. Rated by the factory at 449 horsepower, the 25th Anniversary could reach 100 km/h from a standstill in a mere 4.5 seconds. Revised styling by Horacio Pagani along with driving dynamics honed with input from three-time World Rally Champion Sandro Munari marked this edition as—in Lamborghini’s own view—perhaps the ultimate Countach.
Production of the Countach 25th Anniversary exceeded any other variant that came before it. Total build numbers across all versions fell just short of 2,000 before the model was completely phased out in 1990 to make way for the Diablo. Ever since the final cars were made, the Countach has defined an era of timeless Bertone styling, while cementing its cult status with memorable appearances in film and television.
This example is recorded to have been delivered new to the United States, though it now wears the more cosmetically pleasing European-spec “slim” bumpers. Little is known of the car’s earliest history, with its accompanying CARFAX report documenting the first known road registration in July 1997, issued in Pennsylvania. The Lamborghini appears to have stayed on the East Coast, with servicing in Pittsburgh followed by a change of ownership and registration in New Jersey in 2006. Between 2007 to 2017, the Countach spent time in the care of owners from Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Texas, prior to its export to Europe in October 2017.
An invoice on file from the Grancia-based Racing Car SA, dated December 2018, records the fitment of a new clutch kit, further to routine maintenance required to ensure the Countach ran smoothly. The same invoice includes the registration of the Lamborghini in Switzerland; the car was acquired by its consigning owner around six months later. Its odometer reads 12,484 km at the time of cataloguing—reading in kilometres despite its delivery to the United States, as was typical of Lamborghinis of the era. Presented in Rosso Siviglia over a tan leather interior, complemented by a set of 15-inch OZ Racing forged alloy wheels, this example exudes the character that made the Countach so popular in its day—and even more collectable now.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/sm22.