This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at Supercar Fest 2026 on Saturday the 16th of May at Sywell Aerodrome, Sywell, Northampton, NN6 0BN.
Designing a successor to the Lamborghini Miura was a challenge for Marcello Gandini. With the arrival of the Countach in 1971, he demonstrated his ability to create automotive drama. The word "Countach" is Piedmontese slang for something that visually shocks, with no direct translation, but "Wow" is probably the most polite.
The first Countach appeared at the Geneva Show in 1971. Big, bright, and brash like much of the 70s, the Countach remained in production through various iterations for many years. Its 'flying wedge' design, sloping snout descending from the windscreen, and innovative scissor doors became a template for subsequent supercars. Over its 17-year production run, the Countach evolved continuously to meet technical demands and face increasing competition, notably from Ferrari's Testarossa.
By 1985, Lamborghini introduced the LP5000 Quattrovalvole, a significant upgrade with a 5.2-liter V12 engine fitted with four valves per cylinder. In European carburettor form, with the distinctive ‘power dome’ engine cover, output increased to around 455bhp. This enabled 0–60mph in just over four seconds and a top speed approaching 190mph.
The final development of this series, the so-called '88½', is widely regarded as the most compelling. Not an official factory designation but an enthusiast-coined term, these late-1988 cars represent the ultimate iteration of the Quattrovalvole before the more heavily revised 25th Anniversary model. Subtle updates included redesigned, straked side sills to improve airflow to the rear brakes and preview elements of the Anniversary styling, while retaining the purer, more delicate surfacing of earlier models.
The '88½' occupies a unique position in the Countach story. It combines the engineering improvements of later production cars with the raw, analogue character of the original concept, before the 25th Anniversary introduced softer styling and ergonomics. Many enthusiasts and collectors consider the '88½' the most resolved and desirable Countach.
This example is particularly significant. One of just 17 right-hand drive '88½' cars produced, it is believed to be among the final examples completed, adding to its appeal. Finished in Rosso with a Cream leather interior accented by red piping, it presents a striking and period-appropriate color combination that complements its dramatic form.
Supplied new on 4th August 1988 via Lamborghini London Limited to a well-known client in Bristol, the car has enjoyed careful ownership throughout its life. Acquired by the current owner in 2016, it has been maintained for many years by respected Lamborghini specialist Mike Pullen of Carrera Sport in West Sussex.
The comprehensive history file includes numerous MOT certificates supporting the recorded mileage, along with period tax discs, the original service book, and the owner’s handbook. This documentation offers valuable insight into the car’s history and the care it has received over the years.
Visually, mechanically, and historically, this Countach encapsulates everything that made the model an icon. Alongside contemporaries such as the Porsche 911 Turbo, it defined the aspirational automotive landscape of the 1980s, capturing imaginations and adorning bedroom walls.
