1984 Lamborghini Countach 5000 S | The Quail Auction 2026
Chassis No. ZA9C00500ELA12736
The Lamborghini Miura, the world's first supercar, was a nearly insurmountable act to follow. Its successor needed to be a forward-thinking purpose-built sports car, oozing futuristic design cues and cutting-edge engineering. Under Lamborghini's orders, no holds were barred for the new "LP112" project, which would eventually become the Countach, one of the quintessential supercars of the 1970s and 1980s.
For project designer Marcello Gandini at Bertone, another renaissance was required. Gandini had already stunned the world with his revolutionary wedge silhouette design exhibited on the 1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo and 1970 Lancia Stratos Zero concepts, and aimed to take his composition even further. Compared to the undulating curves of the Miura, Gandini's new brushstrokes were angular, and he incorporated various geometric patterns onto his wedge-shaped canvas. The Countach debuted at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show after a year of development, and the car was production-ready by 1974. The road-ready Countach LP400 was an instant trend-setter. The Countach's V12 engine was one of the first to be longitudinally mounted, which improved weight distribution by placing the V12 behind the driver and the transmission in front and, of course, the car's wedge silhouette with its signature scissor doors would influence supercar design in the decades to come.
The Countach evolved steadily throughout its remarkable 16-year production run, but the third-generation 5000 S marked one of the model's most significant milestones. Introduced at the 1982 Geneva Motor Show, it debuted Lamborghini's revised 4.8-liter V12, which was developed in large part to satisfy U.S. emissions requirements-paving the way for the Countach to officially be sold Stateside. This was a crucial domino to fall, helping transform the Countach from an exclusively European supercar into the definitive worldwide automotive icon of the 1980s: as synonymous with the decade as synth-pop and neon lights. Beyond its mechanical revisions, the 5000 S featured subtle design enhancements including revised bodywork and interior containing an updated center console and glove compartment. Badged variously as the LP500 S, LP5000 S, or simply 5000 S, these cars were among the earliest Countaches to arrive on American soil.
This 1984 Lamborghini Countach 5000 S was first registered in Alaska in July 1990 according to its clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report, and around this time was converted to U.S.-legal Bosch fuel injection. After acquiring the car with approximately 7,455 kilometers according to invoices and photos on file, the consignor commissioned a comprehensive restoration in 2024, removing the U.S.-regulated components and returning the car to its original delivery presentation. Exotic car restoration specialists Evans Automotive Repair Inc. in Ohio primarily carried out the meticulous nut and bolt restoration, which is documented by a restoration record containing hundreds of photographs. During the engine-out refurbishment, the V12 powerplant was converted from fuel injection to the preferred Weber carburetors. The transmission was given equal attention and was rebuilt with a new clutch master cylinder, new synchronizers, and more. New front and rear shocks, upper and lower ball joints, and other refreshed components breathed new life into the suspension. The brakes were also overhauled with new front and rear brake calipers and pads, fresh brake fluid, and a new brake master cylinder.
The bodywork was streamlined to enhance the original angular silhouette of the Countach, which included the fitment of correct European bodywork. Finally, the Nero leather interior was painstakingly restored: the dashboard, seats, and door panels were refreshed; and new carpets and a new instrument bin were installed. Following the car's painstaking mechanical and interior restoration, it was sent to Muzika Productions in Nevada where it was repainted in striking Deep Black, to which a full coat of paint protection film was applied. No expense was spared for this meticulous restoration, with more than 20 invoices on file and available for review totaling $454,343.46.
This 1984 Lamborghini Countach 5000 S is offered on the back of a truly exceptional restoration, with careful attention given to nearly every single component as shown in its detailed, photo-documented restoration record. As one of the seminal supercars of the 1980s-its silhouette forever etched into the imaginations of an entire generation-this Countach is eminently worthy of a place within any world-class collection of other landmark poster cars and will assuredly command admiration for decades to come.