One to Buy: only RHD QV in Giallo 1985 Lamborghini Countach Quattrovalvole
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Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1985, the Quattrovalvole was Lamborghini’s fourth major iteration of the Countach theme.
Most significantly, it featured a newly enlarged 5.2-litre V12 with four valve cylinder heads. The net was 455bhp compared to 375bhp for the outgoing 4.8-litre two valve Countach 5000 S.
Importantly,, the QV’s output gains put the Countach on par with Ferrari’s limited edition 288 GTO and well beyond the BB’s recenntly introduced replacement: the striking Testarossa.
Currently residing in the Furlonger Specialist Cars showroom in Ashford, Kent, is an early right-hand drive Countach Quattrovalvole that departed Sant’Agata during 1985 in an unrepeated configuration: Giallo with Naturale upholstery and right-hand drive.
The first owner was Cornish builder Ernie Marshall who in 1987 loaned his car, chassis FLA12848, to Autocar for a track test at Bruntingthorpe (May 27th edition). The magazine wanted a Countach Quattrovalvole for a head-to-head against the quickest superbike (a 125bhp Yamaha FZR 1000). The yellow Countach posted a 0-60mph time of 4.9 seconds and a 179mph top speed. By contrast, the Yamaha did 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds and hit 160mph flat out.
In late 1988, Ernie Marshall acquired a Countach 25th Anniversary (KLA12464). Today, the yellow Quattrovalvole is being offered from 30 year single ownership with just over 25,000km and a fully documented history.
