1990 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Coupe

Lamborghini's Miura Supercar was an instant icon which it was introduced in 1966. It offered groundbreaking design and performance in a sleek, mid-engine high-velocity coupe. Following the coupe would be a difficult act to follow, but Lamborghini was up to the task. They introduced their Countach at the 1971 Geneva Salon, which like its predecessor, was styled by Bertone's Marcello Gandini. Drawing from his revolutionary Lancia Stratos Zero concept from the year before, Gandini designed the Countach as an angular wedge with crisp lines and dramatic angles. Production versions were seen two years later with deliveries commencing in 1974.

Powering the Countach was the Miura's four-cam V12 engine, mounted longitudinally behind the cabin. Designer Paolo Stanzani placed the five-speed gearbox ahead of the engine between the seats, and the differential to help achieve optimum weight distribution. It had an improved spaceframe chassis and the standard 4.0-liter, instead of the prototype's 5.0-liter, engine. It produces 'only' 370 horsepower and could attain 170 mph.

In 1978, Lamborghini introduced the first upgrade, named the 'LP400S', with the addition of flared wheel arches and massive 345mm rear tires which improved grip and stability. A large rear aerofoil also became available.

In 1982, Lamborghini introduced the 'emissions friendly' LP500S. The updated 4754cc unit produced the same horsepower as the smaller engine, with a welcomed boost in torque.

The final iteration of the Countach made its debut in 1985 as the Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole, named for its 5167cc engine and new four-valve-per-cylinder heads. It offered 414 horsepower and had a top speed of 300 km/h, making it the world's fastest car at the time.

At the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, in September of 1988, Lamborghini introduced the ultimate development of the Countach, the Anniversario, introduced to celebrate Lamborghini's 25th anniversary as a motor manufacturer. The Anniversario incorporated hundreds of subtle changes and improvements over the Quattrovalvole. The body was reworked by designer Horacio Pagani, creator of the Pagani Zonda, gaining a new nose and front bumper/spoiler incorporating front brake air ducts. US-destined cars retained the '5mph' impact-resistant bumper, while the new rear bumper was common to both US and European models. The air intakes, located directly behind the doors, featured thicker vertical strakes, and were color-matched to the body. The chassis was extensively updated for improved handling, its development assisted by three-time World Rally Champion, Sandro Munari. It rode on split-rim forged alloy OZ wheels and Pirelli's new 'P Zero' dual-compound asymmetrical-tread tires. The European versions had carbureted engines while the USA examples had fuel injection.

In total, 657 Countach Anniversario models were made between September 1988 and April 1990.

This Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary model was completed at the Sant'Agata-based Lamborghini works during the latter part of 1989 and early 1990. It was equipped for the European market, and finished in Rosso Siviglia red over a cockpit trimmed in black. It was delivered later in 1990, presumably through Emilian Auto Spa of Bologna, Italy, to its first owner in the UK. It was later purchased by its second owner, who kept the car in Italy from 2011 to 2014. The current caretaker acquired the car in 2014 and had it exported to the United States.

This is a highly original Countach that has less than 2,700 kilometers on the odometer. It has the original factory decals and markings, original paint, and an original interior.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2016