1983 Lamborghini Countach Coupe

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys Sealed May event, 13 - 20/21 May 2026.
850,000 - 950,000 EUR

• The first of five Countach 5000 S originally finished in Oro Sahara
• Restored to its original specification in Italy with guidance from Lamborghini Polo Storico
• Offered from over two decades of single ownership
• One of 321 cars built; European-spec example equipped with more powerful Weber carburetors

The second major update of Lamborghinis iconic Countach, the 5000 S was introduced in 1982. With engine displacement now almost five-litres, wider fender flares were introduced bringing a more menacing stance housing 8.5-inch wide Ozzeta Electron wheels. US-specification cars were outfitted with fuel injection but European cars were topped with six Weber carburetors, providing them with 20 additional horsepower over their American counterparts.

Only five Countach 5000 S were originally finished in Oro Sahara, with the car presented here, chassis number DLA12559, being the very first. Complemented by its leather interior trimmed in Champagne, the car was completed by Lamborghini in February of 1983 and destined for Al-Ajda in Saudi Arabia. Documents in the history file from the cars time in Saudi Arabia show that it was first registered there in October of 1983. Although the first owner remains unknown, it can be certain that this Countach, especially one in such a fetching colour, was quite the sight on the roads of Saudi Arabia in the mid-1980s.

The Countach remained in Saudi Arabia through the remainder of the 1980s and was sold by a Mr. Farouk Saleh Abo Zeid of Jeddah to Terence Stewart Clarke in Riyadh in March of 1989, by which point it had been repainted white. Clarke was working for Saudi Arabian Airlines at the time and a letter on file from Lamborghini to Clarke confirms the cars amazing original specification. Shortly after his purchase, Clarke had the car again repainted, and a photo of the car finished in white paintwork fitted with a rear spoiler and matching white wheels can be found in the cars history file. Clarke then moved to the UK and brought the Countach with him, formally importing it to the U.K. in 1990 and registering the car at his home in north Wales. It is believed that Mr. Clarke sold the car around 1993, exporting it to Belgium.

The Countach was acquired by the current owner in 2005 and returned to its native Italy, where it remains to this day. At that time the car was showing approximately 32,500 km on its odometer. Over the following ten years, the current owner drove it another 3,000 km with the car being looked after during this time by Alfa Motori in Turin. In 2016, the Countach unfortunately sustained damage in a flood and at this point it was decided to fully restore the car to its original specifications. Lamborghini Polo Storico was tasked with overseeing the restoration work and as Polo Storico was not restoring cars themselves at this point, they recommended the restoration work be carried out by Caiarti of Milan, their official partner at the time. With the work completed in 2022, the car participated in the Polo Storico 60 Giro, a factory backed tour with vintage Lamborghinis aiming to celebrate Lamborghinis rich heritage. Since then, the car has been carefully preserved in its as-restored state and regularly serviced by Alfa Motori as it was prior to the restoration, including carrying out a fresh fluid change and inspection in April 2026.

With just 321 examples built, the 5000 S offered a modicum of rarity, and its clean lines and powerful specifications make it the most desirable Countach iteration in the view of many enthusiasts. The Weber carburetor-equipped European specification examples are considered the most desirable, and in todays market this Oro Sahara 5000 S truly stands out from the pack. Furthermore, research utilizing Marcel Wallenburgs Countach Register (www.countach-register.com) shows that of the five 5000 S finished in Oro Sahara, not only is this example the first of the five built, but it is also the only example still finished in its original colours today.

Fresh from a concours-quality restoration, this would be a sensational addition to any collection of Lamborghinis. To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/s0526/.