1987 | Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV
Seller's Introduction
Cannonball Run, Wolf of Wall Street, Miami Vice, Alpine posters - the Countach was the “it” car of the 80’s! Not only was it iconic - it marked a revolutionary shift in performance automotive design and engineering. From 1974 to 1990 about only 1,900 total units were produced. If you want to buy the best maintained and most original Countach on the market look no further!
The “round body” 5000 QV (Quattrovalvole – referring to the new cylinder head which featured four valves per cylinder) was powered by a 5.2 liter V12. This dramatically surged power output to 455 horsepower (up nearly 28% from the LP400 S)! Because the QV includes both the revolutionary power upgrades AND retains the iconic "round body" design it has become the most desirable version being that it is the "best of both worlds." Its scissor doors, Kevlar & aluminum construction, wide rear tires, and aggressive stance became legendary, cementing the Countach's status as a supercar icon and an enduring symbol of Lamborghini's innovative spirit. But most of all – it was THE car every guy wanted to own. And now you can!
Finished in Rosso Siviglia (Red) with Crema interior this Countach 5000 QV is a stunner. The 5000 QV model was available with three common interior colors: black, white, beige/tan. This QV was fitted from factory with rare Crema interior. It is reported that only 5 US models were delivered with beautiful Crema interior. The Cannonball Run car was this same beautiful Siviglia Red!
This showpiece 1987 QV appears to have almost all its original paint including the hood, fenders, doors, roof, engine cover, trunk cover and rear wing! The undercoating also appears original and remains in extraordinary condition. Apart from the restored steering wheel and gear knob shifter the rest of the interior also appears to be original. The dash, pillars, roof, seats, central tunnel, carpets and seat belts all as beautiful as they were in 1987 . This car is not only stunning it has been remarkably preserved and meticulously maintained.
This US-market vehicle was directly imported from Lamborghini to Meadowlands Car Imports in New Jersey. The car currently shows 9,811 kilometers, or 6,096 miles. (An interesting fact: all Lamborghini models until 1999 have a factory-fitted odometer in kilometers). This “round body” Countach is in remarkably original condition, featuring a Rosso Siviglia one-stage paint finish. The car's most notable remaining modification was the removal of the US front "crash" bumper and the addition of European-spec bumper. This was likely completed when the vehicle was brand new and before original delivery. We confirm this belief with the original Lamborghini ad for this particular car (viewable in the extras gallery above) which shows the European Spec bumper. This Euro Bumper is finished in the same one-stage paint as the rest of the vehicle.
Previous minor modifications were returned to factory specs in late 2022 including: rear taillight / bumper cover, rotating license plate, chromed wheels, and side skirts; these were are returned to factory standards. The rocker panels were stripped to aluminum and repainted. Steering wheel and gear shift knob were also restored to factory specification. New factory reflective taillight surrounds were fitted and sealed with new urethane.
The first 12 years of this Countach’s life were spent without registration or a title, remaining on its Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO). In March 1999, a Wisconsin man became the first registered owner, though he was technically the car's second owner. The car was then sold to Nevada owner Pat Mullen in 2002, from whom the seller purchased the car in 2021. From 1987 to 1989, the Countach was serviced at Ultrasmith Systems in NYC, and from 1989 to 1999, it was serviced by Jon Pollock Exotic Service in Southern California, where Pat Mullen, future owner, was the service technician. Mullen then decided to purchase the car in 2002 after long admiring it.
The car has undergone meticulous maintenance over the years, including a major overhaul in 2008, again in 2018 including full engine and transmission removal to replace head gaskets, transmission rebuild (just because the engine was out anyways), new fuel pumps, restore the head and valves, valve guides, water pump, and radiators. Notably, the car was fully inspected including compression test by Lamborghini of Beverly Hills in 2022, which confirmed its exceptional mechanical condition. Recent expenditures have ensured the car is in top shape, including new tires, a complete AC system update from Freon, rear tie rods, new intake manifold gaskets (restored idling to factory specs), new accelerator cable and new distributor cap wire ends. Extensive invoices are included and viewable in the "Documents" gallery above. Rarely does an exotic car of this nature spend time owned by the very expert technician who worked on it previously, a unique feature that ensures this example has received the utmost in detail-minded care.
The 9,811 kilometers showing on the odometer are consistent with numerous invoices, expired registrations, emissions test results and even shipping bills of lading. It is believed that until December 2022 the car was still on it’s original tires. Pirelli North America Consumer Affairs has confirmed in writing that all four tires removed in December 2022 have date codes from 1986. The remaining tread on the 1986 tires is also consistent with tires with approximately 9,000 Kilometers. This Countach currently has brand new tires, (that took two years to obtain!). If you think the original tires are cool we have them and they can convey with the vehicle.
It is rare to find vehicles this well maintained with such meticulous records, history and original parts. This predominantly original Countach 5000 QV has been exceptionally pampered and painstakingly maintained, making it a pristine example of this iconic model.
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Overview
The Lamborghini Countach, conceived in the early 1970s, marked a revolutionary shift in performance automotive design and engineering. Designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone, the Countach debuted as a prototype at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show, stunning audiences with its sharp, angular lines and futuristic wedge shape. Powered by a mid-mounted 4.0-liter V12 engine, it produced 375 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful cars of its time. Over its production run from 1974 to 1990, the Countach saw several evolutions, including the LP500 S and the Quattrovalvole, with engine displacements increasing up to 5.2 liters and power outputs reaching 455 horsepower. Its scissor doors, wide rear tires, and aggressive stance became iconic, cementing the Countach's status as a supercar legend and an enduring symbol of Lamborghini's innovative spirit.
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Service Records
Comprehensive service records including the recent major service, previous titles, bills of lading, and other historic documents will accompany the sale and are viewable in the "Documents" gallery above.
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Ownership History & Provenance
The car remained on its Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) with its first owner for 12 years, before eventually being titled in Wisconsin. The car was then sold to Pat Mullen of Nevada in 2002, who was the Lamborghini service technician who had worked on the car during its first period of ownership. The car remained with him until it was purchased by the seller in 2021. Previous titles are viewable in the "Documents" gallery above.
Known Shortcomings
Please see the comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic inspection performed by AZ Exotic Motorwerks LLC of Scottsdale, AZ, above by clicking "View Inspection Report." The two items noted on the report, a missing bolt on the exhaust system and a kinked air hose touching a belt, have since been addressed and corrected by Atwood European of Phoenix, AZ. A previous pre-purchase inspection dated 2022 is also viewable in the "Documents" gallery above. High resolution versions of the photos appearing the in AZ Exotic Motorwerks inspection report are available upon request.
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Items included in the Sale
- Manufacturer's Literature
- Historic Documents
- Service Records
- Removed set of tires with 1986 date codes, believed to be original to the car