VIN: the Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Lamborghini Countach 5000 S chassis DLA12566
History of chassis DLA12566
Chassis DLA12566 was one of the 37 right-hand drive 5000 S produced from a total run of 323 units.
It was ordered via the UK Lamborghini distributor, Portman, by VIP customer and serial Countach owner, Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Now the King of Saudi Arabia (Salman is reportedly the 25th son of founder monarch, King Abdulaziz), at the time he served as the country’s Governor of Riyadh Province.
DLA12566 spent most of its early life in the UK hence its right-hand drive configuration. Throughout this period it is understood to have worn Saudi plates.
Salman Bin Abadulaziz Al Saud configured the car with Rosso paint, Bianco upholstery, Nero carpet and the expensive rear spoiler option. It was dispatched on March 29th 1983 and retained until 1988, at which point the Countach was purchased by Lamborghini Owners Club member, Tony Wilkinson.
Wilkinson registered DLA12566 on his private plate, 5038 TW. Tony Wilkinson also owned a Series 2 Espada which wore the private plate 5803 TW. The Countach is depicted here at a Goodwood track day soon after acquisition in Autumn 1988. Within a few months, the car’s colour had been changed from red to white.
Tony Wilkinson retained DLA12566 until the early 1990s, since which time it has gone through the hands of several more owners.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
