Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Rosso Savaglia in the Bonhams|Cars FOS sale

For while the most desirable ‘Periscopio’ early cars can go for upwards of £1 million, this 25^th Anniversary example and others like it sell for around a third of that. The incongruity of a run-out special being one of the best-selling Countach variants is not lost on us. However, this being a right-hand-drive car, makes it one of just 67 of its kind made, with the rest of the 657 cars being left-hookers.

There’s no mistaking a 25^th Anniversary Countach for any other Countach. Its whole aesthetic was thoroughly re-worked for the end of its life to modernise and keep the old girl compliant. It’s slipperier, more refined, and a bit less, well, ‘Countach’. That’s to say it’s more efficient, with greater purpose to its design rather than style for style’s sake. 

The most obvious changes? The reprofiled haunch intakes which are lower and longer for better airflow, as well as the use of strakes, the nipped front bumper, and the addition of a US crash safety regulation-compliant rear bumper. Those split-rim OZ wheels are distinctive, too. The design is the work of none other than Horacio Pagani, who also led the charge on composite use at Lamborghini, going as far as building a carbon-bodied Countach Evoluzione prototype which has sadly been lost to time.

Mechanically the Anniversary shares much with the 5000QV, using the 5.2-litre version of the Bizzarrini V12 engine with four valves per cylinder. Bosch fuel injection was the preserve of the US market for emissions and fuel economy reasons. European cars are more powerful, retaining carburettors and producing over 450PS (331kW). The slipperier body made for what is the fastest of the Countach line, with the Anniversary good for over 183mph. Chassis revisions also made it the most accomplished Contact to drive.

This 25^th Anniversary, chassis 12717, is a wonderful spec. That Rosso Savaglia hue drapes across the massaged bodywork of the Anniversary better than many of the silver cars we see from this series. It brings a bit of life to what many see as the ‘tamed’ Countach. Likewise, the Crema hide of the interior contrasts superbly. 

A London-delivered car, it was first registered on the 31^st July 1989. Over the course of its life it’s been incredibly well looked-after; the car leaves a 20-year ownership having covered just 10,942 miles in its three-and-a-half decades. Even its original Alpine Cassette HiFi even remains in working order. This is a historical supercar that’s ready to drive, with recent service works, including a new clutch, costing some £25,000. 

The 2024 Festival of Speed takes place on 11th-14th July. Only Thursday general admission tickets remain, with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday tickets now sold out, although a limited number of hospitality packages for all days are still available. Tickets and packages can be purchased from £70.