• Year of manufacture 
    1983
  • Car type 
    Other
  • Lot number 
    r0014
  • Reference number 
    MO25_r0014
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Location
    United States
  • Exterior colour 
    Other

Description

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Monterey event, 15 - 16 August 2025.

  • A well-preserved, award-winning carbureted Countach 5000 S presented in its original color combination; the 269th of just 321 5000 S examples produced
  • Italian-market car imported to the US when new and driven 37,021 km (~23,004 mi.) at time of cataloguing
  • Approximately $36,000 of work performed by marque specialists since October 2024
  • Retains its numbers-matching V-12 engine, gearbox, and rear axle, as documented by its Lamborghini Polo Storico certificate issued June 2025
  • Known history from new; accompanied by documentation from 1983 to the present, including import/federalization paperwork, prior registrations, original owner’s manual, inspection reports, and over 20 years of service invoices (2003–2025)

Perhaps no model better epitomizes the concept of the Italian supercar than the Lamborghini Countach. With mid/rear-engine architecture and stunning angular coachwork by Bertone’s Marcello Gandini, the Countach became the quintessential expression of exotic exuberance.

In 1982, Lamborghini introduced the 5000 S, which brought with it a huge developmental leap in the form of a new longitudinally mounted 4.8-liter V-12 engine fed by six Weber carburetors. This new Countach model’s most noticeable change was not the power output, which remained at 375 horsepower, but how it was delivered, arriving 1,000 rpm earlier. This led to a noticeable improvement in responsiveness and performance. Other updates to the 5000 S that clearly distinguish it from its predecessors include a revised interior and distinctive flared wheel arches, which housed the widest wheels ever fitted to a production car up to that point.

Lamborghini produced only 321 examples of the 5000 S between 1982 and 1984. This well-preserved, award-winning carbureted 5000 S is the 269th example of this model produced and retains its original color combination of Bianco paint over black leather upholstery. Based on their reports, Herb Chambers Lamborghini of Boston and JE Robison Service of Springfield, Massachusetts, believe that the Countach is mainly in its factory paint and with original upholstery.

Accompanying documentation from Lamborghini Polo Storico issued in June 2025 illustrates that it was initially dispatched from Lamborghini’s factory on 12 July 1983, bound for dealer Emilian Auto of Bologna, Italy. The paperwork on file indicates that within two weeks of arriving in Bologna, this Countach had already been imported to the US by Exotic Leasing LLC of St. Paul, Minnesota, and then sent for federalization. Shortly after its approval for US road use, the car was sold to a Minnesota-based oil tycoon who is believed to have retained it until May 2001. At that time, this Countach reportedly showed 11,178 actual miles (~17,990 kilometers) on its odometer when it was purchased by Midwestern Auto Group, an Ohio-based Lamborghini dealer.

In November 2002, the car was acquired by its next long-term owner from the aforementioned dealer. Under their careful stewardship, this 5000 S was regularly maintained by Lamborghini Ohio between 2002 and 2009, at which point it was moved from Ohio to Massachusetts.

Still under its same ownership, this Countach was treated to a complete overhaul by JE Robison Service of Springfield, Massachusetts, between July 2015 and December 2016. The car’s numbers-matching V-12 engine was dismantled, blueprinted, and then entirely rebuilt with the factory’s last reported remaining stock of original 5000 S pistons, liners, valves, and standard bearings. The six Weber DC50 carburetors, clutch, and flywheel were all similarly rebuilt, while new fittings, lines, bushings, gaskets, ancillaries, consumables, and hardware were installed to ensure optimal performance and authentic presentation.

The outstanding quality of JE Robison’s work was immediately recognized at the esteemed Concours d’Elegance of America at St. John’s in Plymouth, Michigan, in July 2017, where this 5000 S was awarded 1st Prize in the Modern Classics class.

Since October 2024, this exciting 5000 S has received approximately $36,000 in mechanical servicing from marque specialists. A comprehensive service, suspension refresh, new front brakes, and a complete set of new tires were respectively furnished to the car by Total Performance Center of Troy, New Jersey, and Herb Chambers Lamborghini of Boston during this period. Similarly, JE Robison sourced, refurbished, and fitted a factory-correct exhaust muffler. It retains its numbers-matching V-12 engine, gearbox, and rear axle, as documented by its Lamborghini Polo Storico certificate issued June 2025.

A shocking sight to behold upon its unveiling back in the 1970s, the Lamborghini Countach defined the essence of what a supercar was for the latter part of the 20th century. Considering this well-preserved and highly original 5000 S’s history of work and excellent provenance, with a known history from new and accompaniment by a Lamborghini Polo Storico certificate, it will surely be a scintillating complement to any collection of iconic supercar designs.To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/mo25/.


RM Sotheby's
5 Heron Square
Richmond
TW9 1EL
United Kingdom
Contact Person Kontaktperson
Title 
Mr
First name 
Augustin
Last name 
Sabatie-Garat

Phone 
+44-2078517070