Fantasy Junction

Description

1984 Lamborghini Countach 5000S
s/n ZA9C00500ELA12674, engine no. 12674
Black with Black Leather and Gold Wheels

There is perhaps no more widely recognizable or iconic car than the Lamborghini Countach. Much has been written about the car, sometimes positive, sometimes negative, but the one thing that is impossible to do is ignore it. Developed as a successor to the remarkable and stunning Miura, the Countach created an equally large, if not larger stir when first introduced. The idea that such a totally futuristic and over the top car could possibly be intended for production was inconceivable, but in Lamborghini’s tradition, the car was readied for production largely unaltered. The car was produced for about 15 years in various forms, with later cars gaining fuel-injection and aesthetically intrusive US bumpers which dulled performance. Although they were ignored by collectors for decades, they have recently emerged as highly collectible cars thanks to their tremendous cultural significance as a genuine 1980s icon. Certainly there are few cars that are more instantly recognizable or that have spent as much time on the bedroom walls as the Countach.

This particular example is a stunning side draft carbureted car that has seen approximately $140,000 in mechanical and cosmetic work in the last 2 years including new paint, new interior, and extensive mechanical work such as rebuilt cylinder heads, overhauled fuel system, overhauled ancillaries, new synchromesh, new clutch, rebuilt suspension, new brakes, and new tires. It looks and drives superbly, and it would be difficult to imagine a nicer example. Certainly it is nicer than when it was new, particularly since these cars are often noted to have been finished to merely good standards when new. The work included the following:

Exterior: Bare metal respray at a cost of $30,000, refinished wheels, new tires (Pirelli P Zero), refinished or replaced all badges, replated hinges/latches, hardware, new body seals, new Carello headlamps, new lenses including tail lamp bezels.

Interior: rebuilt instruments by Palo Alto Speedometer, new steering wheel, knobs, retrimmed dash, seats, door panels, console, headliner (microsuede), new mats. The seats were sent to Italy and recovered in the correct leather with the correct perforations. The car has the late 1983 type mouse fur dash. The interior work totaled more than $30,000. The original carpets are in place and are in excellent condition.

Mechanical (done primarily by Rico/Valtellina Automobili): Rebuilt cylinder heads, carburetors, radiators, water pump, alternator, cooling fan motors, new distributor cap/rotor, new spark plug wires, rebuilt brakes (new brake rotors, rebuilt calipers, new hoses), replaced clutch hydraulics, rebuilt clutch (flywheel, pressure plate, clutch disc), rebuilt suspension (shocks, bushings, ball joints, new springs), fuel system (tanks drained, removed, cleaned, sealed) with new fuel pumps, filters, and lines, detailed engine and engine compartment, repainted cylinder heads, valve covers, block, transmission, engine compartment, front compartment, new gearbox synchromesh, new CV boots, rebuilt AC system (condenser, lines, expansion valve) new heater pipe, rebuilt heater cores, new horn compressor, new shift boot, miscellaneous electrical sorting.

As a result, the car is in superb condition inside and out. The body is straight and the paint is virtually unmarked, with only light wear on the lower part of the rear fender extensions from road use. The glass and lights are excellent, as are the wheels. The interior is stunning, with beautiful upholstery and a universally crisp presentation throughout. The restoration work was comprehensive, extending to the knobs and switches where necessary. The engine compartment is nicely detailed, with much new painting and plating in evidence, although there is some dust present, likely from some time spent in the body shop. The trunk is in excellent shape with very nice carpets and the front compartment, which is often a bit untidy in these cars, is extremely crisp in its presentation. The rubber straps are in place and a master electrical switch has been fitted.

In essence, this is a restored car, with virtually every aspect the car having received the required attention to bring it to its current superb looking and operating condition. The car is a pleasure to drive. Much has been written about how unpleasant these cars are to drive, but they are actually quite enjoyable, once the initial intimidation of its size and sheer presence subsides. This particular car feels quite different from most Countaches, being quite a bit easier to use. The throttle pedal clutch, and shift effort, traditionally unrealistically heavy, are reasonable in this example, and the steering effort is also manageable at any speed above a walking pace. The chassis is coherent, the brakes are linear and effective, and the synchromesh allows a superbly slick gearchange, better than any other dogleg Ferrari or Lamborghini that we have encountered in recent memory. The engine sounds superb, is powerful, and is generally well-tuned aside from some hesitation when transitioning into higher throttle applications from low RPMs. The clutch is light, easy to modulate, and otherwise faultless in its operation aside from some squeaking in the linkage.

This is an outstanding opportunity to acquire a beautiful and largely restored carbureted Countach. Certainly nicer than when it was new, this car is extremely well sorted and a pleasure to drive. With no wing and finished in an iconic and sinister color combination down to the gold wheels, this car has tremendous presence and is in a configuration that will please the discerning Countach enthusiast. The car is also matching-numbers and very complete. Approximately $140,000 in invoices are included, as are copies of the parts book, technical information book, owner’s manual and like-new tool roll with tools, which were replated when the rest of the car’s hardware was redone.

This particular car is offered as a 49 State example.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608