One to Buy: ex Rene Leimer 1981 Geneva Motor Show Lamborghini Countach LP400 S (SOLD)
Four years after the first production Countachs began to roll out of Lamborghinis factory, the firm from Sant’Agata unveiled an even more outrageous S version at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1978.
Inspired by the small batch of wide-arched and heavily spoilered Countach Speciales created for VIP customers like Walter Wolf and Albert Silvera, the S arrived during Lamborghini’s most troubled era and within a few months of its debut the company had filed for bankruptcy.
Fortunately, Automobili Lamborghini’s future was ultimately saved by the Swiss-owned Mimram Group who, in 1981, began to produce a third iteration of the Countach S to replace the first and second series variants manufactured since 1978.
Today, the low body first and second series Countach S rank among the most sought after iterations of Lamborghini’s fabled supercar and, on February 1st, Bonhams will be putting a particularly interesting example under the hammer at their auction in Paris.
Chassis 1121272 actually started life as chassis 1121070, a Series 1 Countach S commissioned by then co-owner of Automobili Lamborghini, Rene Leimer. Uniquely configured in Blu Notte Met. with Blu upholstery, it was subsequently uprated to Series 2 trim, re-upholstered with bi-colour Bianco-Blu leather and re-numbered ahead of the 1981 Geneva Motor Show where it appeared on the Lamborghini stand.
The car was purchased at the show by a Swiss customer who requested Lamborghini change the colour to red, which they quickly did. It remained in this configuration until the early 2000s when the original Series 2 colour scheme was re-instated.
Today, chassis 1121272 is presented in largely the same specification in which it appeared at Geneva in 1981 and represents a rare opportunity to buy a one-off Countach S with works history.
Reprinted below is Bonhams’ description:
Chassis no. 1121272
Engine no. 1121272
Rare Low-Body version
Only known Countach LP400S Series II finished in Blu Notte Metallizato
In the same hands for the last 20 years
Numerous invoices included
Estimate: €580,000 - €700,000
The legendary Miura was always going to be difficult to replace, so the way in which its successor would come to eclipse the greatest supercar of the 1960s was a stroke of genius.
The sensation of the 1971 Geneva Motor Show, the Countach was designed, like its predecessor, by Carrozzeria Bertone's Marcello Gandini. Aggressive from every angle, the Countach was no less than spectacular, appearing to have come from another planet.
As Motor magazine observed: "Few people gazing at the original Bertone Countach at Geneva in 1971 could have regarded it as anything other than a 'show' car. There were those fold-up doors for a start and the space-age cockpit with its abysmal rear visibility, not to mention the strange engine/transmission configuration." Happily, Lamborghini disregarded criticism of the car's supposed lack of practicality, and the Countach entered production changed in detail only." Ultimately, the production version would only be available two years later, with deliveries commencing in 1974.
The running gear was lifted in large part from the Miura, although it had been recognised that the Miura's failings in terms of manoeuvrability and stability would not be tolerable in the Countach. At the same time, heat and noise in the passenger compartment had to be limited, and the manoeuvrability of the gearbox was improved. The Miura's four-cam V12 was reused for the Countach, although this time it was installed longitudinally and fitted with side-draught Weber carburettors. To achieve optimum weight distribution, Paolo Stanzani, the designer, positioned the five-speed gearbox in front of the engine, between the seats, and the differential - driven by a shaft passing through the oil sump - at the rear. The result was more precise gear changes and a car that was better-balanced than the Miura.
When production began in 1974, the Countach was built on an improved tubular chassis, replacing the prototype's semi-monocoque, while the coachwork was made of aluminium. One of the Countach's most distinguishing features was its doors, which opened vertically and were supported by hydraulic cylinders. The production version of the Countach had a 4.0-litre V12, instead of the prototype's 5.0-litre engine. Even with the smaller engine producing 'only' 369bhp, the aerodynamically efficient Countach could attain 170mph and, naturally, came with racetrack roadholding to match. Designated 'LP400' by the factory (LP = Longitudinale Posteriore, describing the engine placement), the first Countach is commonly known as the periscopio, after its central periscope, built into the roof, which provided rear vision.
"But for sheer outlandish eye appeal, and track-car capability that's translatable for the road, there is simply no better car. It's hard, also, to imagine a better one coming along," opined Car magazine. However, Lamborghini once again managed to improve its concept, in the form of the LP400S, which made extensive changes to the chassis and the suspension to exploit the characteristics of Pirelli's new P7 tyre. The P7's ground-breaking design offered previously unimaginable levels of grip; the improvements made to the Countach's chassis transformed the car: "It corners at 180mph: we know, we've tried it," declared Car. The LP400S was built between 1978 and 1982, by which time 237 had been produced.
Its revolutionary design set new standards. The Lamborghini Countach is one of the most iconic sports cars of the 20th Century. The LP400S version is the essence of this.
At the end of the 1970s, Lamborghini, then owned by the Swiss businessmen Georges-Henri Rosetti and René Leimer, was in great financial difficulty. In 1978, the firm was placed in safeguard proceedings by the Italian courts. Purchased by the Italian-born Alessandro Arteses, Lamborghini was having trouble bouncing back and changed hands once again in 1979, this time being sold to Raymond Noima and Hubert Hahne. Nonetheless, Automobili Lamborghini went bankrupt in 1980, and was thereby placed in judicial liquidation. It was the brothers Jean-Claude and Patrick Mimran who took up the baton in 1981.
It was in this unusual context that the life of this Countach LP400 S began. Initially commissioned by René Leimer, it was produced during 1979 in the form of an LP400 S Series 1, no.1121070, i.e. one of the first Countach S to be built. With metallic blue paint and matching blue upholstery, the Countach did not leave the factory, observing the various takeovers of the marque from the inside.
It was in preparation for the Geneva Motor Show taking place from 5 to 15 March 1981 that 1121070 was upgraded by the factory to be fitted out as a Series 2. It kept its unusual Blu Notte colour, while its passenger compartment was reworked with white trim alongside the blue inserts. In addition, the Campagnolo Bravo wheel rims specific to Series 1 were replaced with the pared-down Series 2 model.
It was also at this time that the rear spoiler and the Vitaloni Baby Tornado rear view mirrors, matching the paintwork, were added to the car. Becoming a Series 2, 1121070 was thus endowed with a new identity by the Sant'Agata Bolognese factory: 1121272. The chassis, the registration plates and the engine were therefore renumbered in accordance with the car's update, thereby dating its "birth" to 1981. We have also been informed that 1121272 was equipped with specific options such as wide tyres, Ansa "racing" exhausts, Weber 45 DCOE carburettors and "racing" camshafts.
Completed on 27th February 1981, 1121272 was exhibited at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show, on the official Lamborghini stand, alongside the LM001 and Jalpa (chassis 40058 of 1978) prototypes , as well as a modernised Miura S (chassis 4808 of 1971) and another Countach LP400 S, with red paintwork. The latter had unfortunately already been sold when Serge W. from Switzerland visited the show, as he wished to purchase a new Countach within a very short timeframe, but wanted one with red paintwork. As a result, Mr W. bought 1121272, which Lamborghini promised to repaint red in the days following the show and after payment of an invoice of 115,000 Francs.
Registered in Switzerland under plate number VD 10894, the Countach was driven in Paris by its happy owner, who used it for almost 10 years. It was in the winter of 1993/1994 that the Countach was put into storage, following a scare on the Parisian Périphérique, leaving the left side of the coachwork with some minor damage.
It was only removed from storage 13 years later, in 2004, when the current owner purchased it, in Sannois-sur-Seine. 1121272 still had its red paintwork and blue and white interior, but required much attention to be returned to its former glory. First, the car was fully recommissioned over several years, including a partial overhaul of its engine (sealing rings, bearings, seals, tanks, carburettors, ignition, etc.) as well as its running gear (shock absorbers, chassis mounting rubbers, pivots, etc.).
In 2010, 1121272 went to the paint shop to be repainted in its original Blu Notte. In 2011, the clutch system was restored. Above all, in 2014, the V12 was completely overhauled by Stanislas Kurolonek (former Ferrari workshop foreman), notably including the replacement of 4 camshafts, the crankshaft and the 12 pistons.
In 2018, the hydraulic brake and clutch circuit was overhauled in full and the air conditioning restored. More recently, in 2023, the front axle was restored, the front tyres replaced, the brakes checked and an alignment was completed. The rear wheel arch extenders, front spoiler and four wheel rims were repainted in winter 2023, then the coachwork and the passenger compartment underwent full detailing to perfect the car's presentation.
Having been serviced on a regular basis, 1121272 has been used regularly over these last 20 years. The current owner of this Countach, a supercar enthusiast, has driven the car on various occasions, whether for the opening of the 2015 Lyon-Charbonnière Rally, or the Lamborghini exhibition at the Epoqu'Auto show in 2018, along with the P140 prototype.
Today, 1121272 looks exactly as it did at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show. Its paintwork, while over 10 years old, is in very good condition despite some light wear and tear. Its blue and white upholstery still has its original leather and fabrics, having been cleaned and renovated in full recently in order to look attractive while maintaining an elegant patina.
Above all, a road test in December 2023 allowed us to observe that the car is in good working order in its entirety. The engine starts without problems and has excellent oil pressure. Revs are clear and regular, while its oil and water temperatures remain stable. The steering wheel does not show any slack in the front axle, and road handling is sound. Lastly, we were also able to check that the car's electrics work properly. It has 26,470 miles on the clock at the time of writing this catalogue.
During the detailing of 1121272, we were able to check the different numbers of the Countach, allowing us to attest to its own special story and its update in 1981. These numbers, as well as the car's file, can be consulted on request.
This is a unique model, both thanks to its history and to its colour, a rare Lamborghini Countach LP400S Low-Body Series 2. Registered in France, it will be sold with its French registration document (carte grise), a substantial file containing invoices from the last 20 years, and catalogues of parts and technical manuals of its time.
