1978 Lamborghini LP400 S – Million Dollar Countach?

Tony’s Take: There are Lamborghini Countaches – and Lamborghini Countaches. On February first, RM Sotheby’s Paris will auction a 1978 LP400 S. The car will surpass the Monterey’s record $1m sale set in 2014, and establish the new standard for the Countach market. What makes this Series 1 LP400 S a trend setter?

Low Production

Series 1 cars: 50 Produced ✓

Series 2 cars: 105 produced

Series 3 cars: 82 produced

Rare Equipment

Nut-And-Bolt Restoration

This LP400 S traces it history back to Munich, 2001. The owner re-painted the car in red, exported it to Finland and placed into storage.

In 2016, the car emerged from the Finnish deep freeze and headed to auction. The new owner shipped it to Modena for restoration, overseen by former Lamborghini chief test driver Valentino Balboni.

The Lamborghini LP400 S was restored to its original, highly desirable color (the only Countach LP400 S Series finished in Blu Notte Metallizato). The shop also installed the correct Vitaloni Sebring mirrors (ensuring all-original components). It still has its original, matching-number engine.

The Best of the Best

Previous “Series I” sales didn’t set any records – and for good reason.

The 2017 Series I sold at RM Arizona lacked S.W. gauges. The 2022 Series sold at RM EU Lacked S.W. gauges & sebrings. The 2022 Series I sold at Sackey & Co lacked the Sebring Mirrors. RM’s latest Countach Series 1 has it all.

Current ROI

If the LP400 S Series 1 car sells for $1m, here’s how an idea of how the current owner will fare financially.

ROI Potential

There hasn’t been a 1978 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S1 on the market in a long time. In 2016, this exact car went to auction with a rough interior, the wrong mirrors, the wrong paint and paint corrosion. It still did all the money: $571,939.

At the time, it was a strong number for the condition. That said, the SW gauges were that special. I predict that this Lamborghini Countach will be a $2m car by 2027.