1977 Lamborghini Countach

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys Arizona event, 23 January 2026.
$700,000 - $900,000 USD

• Delivered new to singer Rod Stewart while touring Australia; retained by the musician for 25 years
• One of approximately 150 examples of the first-series LP400 Periscopio model produced, per the Countach Register
• Converted to targa-style, open-top configuration in Stewarts ownership; later restored to original Periscopio specification
• Benefits from restoration work by Lamborghini Polo Storico in 2022

With its instantly recognizable silhouette, the Lamborghini Countachs bold wedge shape remains showstopping to this day. Its sharp angles, low stance, and dramatic scissor doors redefined automotive design and were a radical departure from the flowing curves of the Miura that preceded it. While later variants would grow ever more flamboyant over the Countachs 16-year production run, the purity of Marcello Gandinis original design is best preserved in the LP400. Nicknamed the Periscopio for its stylish roof channel and small window intended for a periscope-style rearview mirror, it remains the models rarest and most coveted iteration.

Equipped with a 3.9 liter V 12 conceived by noted Italian engineer Giotto Bizzarrini, producing 370 horsepower, the Countachs performance was as bold as its design, with a claimed top speed of 186 mph. This legendary engine would remain a cornerstone of Lamborghinis lineup for decades, appearing in various forms until 2010.

Yet the Countach was more than just a powerhouse. Ingeniously engineered, the gearbox was positioned ahead of the mid-mounted V-12, centralizing its mass and giving the car remarkably composed handling. Its sophisticated tubular chassis was clad in a lightweight combination of aluminum and steel panels, and its iconic scissor doors ensured that every arrival made a dramatic, unforgettable statement.

The Countach offered here, chassis 1120262, was built in right-hand drive for export to the Australian market, where singer Rod Stewart purchased it while on tour there. It left the SantAgata Bolognese production line in June 1977 finished in Rosso with Tobacco trim and later followed Stewart, relocating to Los Angeles. While in the United States, Stewart had the Lamborghini modified with a full wide-body kit and open-top targa roof. In 1987, he brought the car to the United Kingdom, where it would stay in his ownership for the next 25 years.

The Lamborghini changed hands in 2002 and is believed to have been converted to left-hand drive during this owners tenure. Upon being sold in 2013, the new owner is said to have commissioned extensive work to return the LP400 to its factory specification. The modifications made during Stewarts ownership were reversed, while it remained in left-hand-drive configuration.

In 2022, the Countach reportedly benefitted from servicing at Lamborghini Polo Storico, with work said to have been carried out on its braking system, engine, electrical components, gearbox, and steering rack. Cosmetically, the exterior is said to have been polished and the cabin returned to LP400 specification.
Exceptionally desirable and rich in provenance, this Countach LP400 offers the special opportunity to own a genuine piece of automotive and rock history.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/az26/.