One to Buy: 5300km from new 1983 Lamborghini Countach 5000 S
Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1982, the Countach 5000 S marked the arrival of an enlarged Lamborghini V12 production engine for the first time since 1966 when the original 3.5-litre unit was taken out to a four-litre displacement.
The revised 4.75-litre Countach 5000 S was also significant as it was the first Countach developed under the ownership of the Mimram Group which had rescued Lamborghini from administration back in 1980.
Under the Mimram Group, build quality improved dramatically and significant funds were invested to new car development. Within a short space of time, Automobili Lamborghini found itself in the best health of its relatively short history.
Currently on the market with Sasso Automotive in Beverley, East Yorkshire, is one of the lowest mileage and best preserved examples of a Countach 5000 S believed to exist.
Chassis DLA12465 is a rare right-hand drive iteration that was dispatched from the factory on December 17th 1983. Its initial destination was the British Lamborghini distributor, Portman in London, from where the car was sent out to Johannesburg in South Africa.
Configured in Rosso Siviglia with Champagne upholstery, DLA12465 was also ordered without a rear spoiler and remained with its first owner until 2014. By this time it had accumulated a little over 4000km. Now showing 5375km, this outstanding example remains a reference example for originality and is being offered with the opportunity to buy the highly appropriate private plate 5000 S.
Reprinted below is Sasso Automotive’s description for this spectacular low mileage right-hand drive Countach:
One of only 321 produced with only 33 being RHD
5375km
A matching-numbers example
Cherished registration (5000 S) included in sale or by separate negotiation.
Chassis number 12645
Engine number 682
Alpine stereo
Rear wing delete
2 sets of keys
Lamborghini car cover
When it was introduced in 1982, the LP5000S (or LP500S dependent on which market) was the third iteration of the Countach.
In total, there were only 321 produced with only 33 being RHD, however very few remain as original as this particular car having had only 2 owners from new in which the first original owner had it for over 30 years in Johannesburg SA, the second registered keeper an English gentleman then personally requested the services of the legendary former chief test driver of Lamborghini Valentino Balboni who travelled to Johannesburg with him to inspect the car in which Mr Balboni said it was the very best original untouched Countach he’d ever seen.
It was then imported to the UK in 2014 in which Mr Balboni personally oversaw the recommissioning of the car. The original exterior condition as you would expect with a mileage of 3000 is astonishing the same goes for the interior, which is in impeccable condition.
Accessible through the upward-opening doors, which was a unique feature at the time and had never been seen in a production car before in this way. We have never seen a Countach that was so neatly cared for on the inside, with stitching so precise and everything functioning so well.
This has to be one of the best RHD examples of the iconic Countach LP5000s in the world today, and represents an excellent investment opportunity
Complete with original service book, documented history, various invoices and original keys, this poses a great opportunity to own a wonderful and totally original Countach 5000S.
