1986 LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH 5000 QUATTROVALVOLE DOWNDRAFT
--Black with Champagne leather, Tan carpeting, 33,000 kilometers (20,000 miles), 5.0 liter 4-valve V12 engine with Downdraft Carburetors, 5-speed manual transmission, Factory Lamborghini Certificate of Configuration, Documented by Valentino Balboni, Well known to Autosport Designs.
Widely regarded as the most outrageous car ever built. As a result, no car before or since has the presence of a Countach. While most of the 610 Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole models imported into the USA from 1985 to 1988 were outfitted with a Bosch Electronic fuel-injection system, only 13 examples fitted with downdraft carburetors arrived at U.S. ports before the EPA and DOT banned Lamborghini from importing them. This 1986 model is one such carbureted example.
Over the years, the Countach evolved, gaining in strength and power as there were successive increases in the displacement. Regardless, the 5000 QV downdraft carb cars are the most powerful of the Countach model range from beginning to end of production with its 5.2 liter V-12 engine with four valves per cylinder, Weber downdraft carburetors and a power output of 455 bhp.
This exceptional low mileage Countach 5000 QV was sold new by Baltimore, Maryland Lamborghini dealer, Motor Coach Sales to its first owner, Mr. B. Ellis of Bethesda, Maryland on April 16, 1986 with 146 miles/237 km test/delivery miles. Mr. Ellis continued to use the Countach, consistently servicing it with Certified Lamborghini dealers (all service records included) through October 1994 when it was traded to well-known exotic car dealer Motorcars International, Springfield, Missouri with 15,425 miles/24,989 km’s.
Motorcars International sold this Countach in November 1994 with 15,466 miles/25,055 km’s to a Mr. J. Zizza, Wrentham, Massachusetts. Mr. Zizza used the Countach sparingly, only 3,078 miles/4,987 km’s for the next 14 years and until it’s purchased by Autosport Designs, Inc.
In 2015/2016 this Countach underwent a sympathetic and thorough mechanical overhaul by Autosport Designs Inc., Auto Elite and Vintage Motorsports of Malvern, PA. The engine and transmission were completely rebuilt, as were the clutch, master cylinder, CV Joints, suspension bushings throughout and shock absorbers. In addition, fuel tanks were restored, as were oil and fuel hoses, new Pirelli tires, and a stainless steel Sport exhaust was fitted and tuned to the carburetors, the engine bay was completely refinished, the entire electrical system was serviced where needed, a 175 amp heavy duty alternator and charging system and last, but not least extensive modifications were made to the AC system for efficiency, including a new evaporator and revised ducting. In all, more than $150,000 was devoted toward making this one of the most user friendly and excellent performing Countaches to be found. Detailed receipts for all work are available and accompany the sale.
In recent collector ownership, this rare Downdraft Countach was invited to be shown at The Quail "A Motorsports Gathering" and Concorso Italiano during the 2019 Carweek in Monterey, California. While there, it was also invited to be shown at the invitation only Monterey Jet Center. Upon returning from California, the Countach was then shown at the inaugural NYC Concours on the rooftop of Pier 17 in the Seaport district. Recently, this Countach has received up to date servicing and upgrades including a new parking brake, new spark plugs, front Euro turn signal lamps, new door, trunk lid and hood shocks, new tires, and carb adjustments and tuning.
Many consider the 5000 QV Downdraft carbureted Countach to be the most desirable model other than its original counterpart the “Periscopio” which started it all. This Countach 5000 QV is excellent in every way, it has excellent ownership and service history and is complete with its original books, tools and Factory Lamborghini build sheet documents.
