One to Buy: ex-Ernie Marshall Bianco Perlato 1987 Lamborghini Countach Quattrovalvole
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Having already commissioned an enlarged 4.8-litre engine for the Countach 5000 S which arrived in early 1982, the Mimram Group (which had rescued Lamborghini from administration in 1980) upped the ante with a further improved Countach three years later: the Quattrovalvole.
At the heart of this latest iteration was an engine taken out to 5.2-litres which notably now came with four instead of two valve cylinder heads. Downdraught instead of sidedraught carburettors were also adopted.
The output gains achieved were dramatic: Lamborghini quoted 455bhp at 7000rpm and 369lb-ft at 5200rpm compared to 375bhp at 7000rpm and 302lb-ft at 4500rpm for the outgoing 5000 S.
610 examples of the Quattrovalvole were constructed between 1985 and 1988, a particularly fine example of which is currently on offer at the DK Engineering showroom in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire.
Dispatched to Portman Lamborghini in London on April 29th 1987, chassis HLA12138 was ordered by serial Countach buyer and director of the Cornish-based DownDerry Construction Group, Ernie Marshall.
Marshall had this latest Countach configured in rarely seen Bianco Perlato, one of just four right-hand drive Quattrovalvoles completed as such. The interior was trimmed with Bianco leather upholstery, Bleu piping and matching Bleu carpet. Marshall also went for the optional rear spoiler.
13 months after having taken delivery, Ernie Marshall sold HLA12138 to make way for his new Countach 25th Anniversary. The pearl white QV was sold Carlo McCrindle of Lamborghini specialist, Top Gear Cars in Edinburgh, who went on to retain it for the next 35 years.
HLA12138 is currently showing 21,400km on the odometer and looks to be in immaculate condition throughout.
