Lot 261

Monterey 2017

1976 Lamborghini Countach LP 400 'Periscopio' by Bertone

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$1,034,000 USD | Sold

United States | Monterey, California

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Chassis No.
1120172
  • Two private Canadian owners from new, with fascinating ownership history
  • Rare early ‘Periscopio’ example; retains its original engine
  • Beautifully restored to its original specifications
  • 2nd in Class at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
  • An exceptional example of the purest, most desirable variant
Addendum: Please note that due to California emissions, this vehicle must be sold to a dealer or out-of-state resident.

As the earliest and rarest iteration of the iconic Countach, it is no surprise that the LP 400 ‘Periscopio’ is the most desirable iteration over the model’s 16-year production run. Its design remains almost uninterrupted from that of the original concept that created such a commotion at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show.

The Countach presented here, chassis no. 1120172, is the 86th first-generation LP 400 ‘Periscopio’ produced. Finished in the striking shade of Blu Tahiti over a Tobacco-colored interior, with air conditioning and two external rearview mirrors, it was completed on 22 December 1975. It was then delivered to Carrie Eugene, the official Lamborghini dealer and importer in Canada, on 29 January 1976.

The Countach’s first owner was Paul Marshall, of Toronto, Ontario. Though a paraplegic, Marshall did not let his disability stop him from enjoying his new Countach. He had hand controls installed and drove the car frequently around his native Toronto, where the spaceship-like Countach was an otherworldly sight during the waning days of disco.

The car’s second custodian, also a resident of Toronto, purchased the Countach from Paul Marshall through a friend in the early 1990s. He continued to use the car regularly for the next few years before placing it into static storage, following a full restoration. The Lamborghini was properly stored in a climate-controlled facility, with the fluids drained, and there it remained for the next 20 years.

After nearly two decades of storage, the Countach was awoken from its slumber and entrusted to a Lamborghini specialist in Toronto to be brought back to life. It was then taken to the renowned Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2013. The owner reported that the car drove wonderfully throughout the tour, and it quickly earned the judges’ admiration. On Sunday, the Countach placed 2nd in a hotly contested Lamborghini class.

This spectacular Countach remains in incredible condition throughout, including its original engine, and there is no doubt that it is ready for both further concours events and enjoyment on the open road. It is one of the finest examples of the original ‘Periscopio’ available today.