Mario Andretti's 1984 Lamborghini Countach Sold for $500K

1984 Lamborghini Countach LP5000 S owned by Mario Andretti

Motorcar Gallery

Provenance is key when determining a car’s value and importance to automotive history. Does the chain of ownership include a celebrity or professional driver? What if the owner is one of the most well-known names in motorsport? The Motorcar Gallery dealership in Fort Lauderdale, Florida recently sold a Lamborghini Countach once owned by Mario Andretti. The short list of the most exotic cars ever produced will always include the Countach. And no list of accomplished race car drivers is complete without Andretti.

“Countach” roughly translates to “wow”

The Lamborghini Countach was produced from 1974 to 1990, marking it as the longest-running model in the Italian carmaker’s history. Though the styling and power figures changed over the years, all Countach models used a mid-mounted V-12 engine mated to a 5-speed transmission that sent power to the rear wheels.

Following the LP 400 S, Lamborghini introduced the LP5000 S in 1982. The fender flares, front spoiler, and rear end were slightly revised. The big news was the introduction of a larger engine.

Read more: the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato concept likes to play in the dirt

The Countach sold at Motorcar Gallery was a 1984 Countach LP5000 S in original red paint. Its carbureted 4.8-liter V-12 engine produces 375 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque. It can do a 0–60 mph run in about 5 seconds and has a top speed of about 185 mph.

This special Lambo has pinstriping incorporating Mario Andretti’s personal logo and his signature is emblazoned on the external mirrors. The listing describes the tan interior as “original, complete, and in top condition.” The car recently had a “major mechanical refurbishment” that included a complete engine pull and overhaul. This Countach has just over 11,000 miles on the clock.

An Instagram post from Motorcar Gallery announced the car’s sale to a good home.

View this post on Instagram

Mario Andretti’s first Lamborghini has sold and is going to a wonderful collection. #lamborghini #marioandretti #countach #collectorcars #exoticcars #motorcargallery #enjoytheride

A post shared by Motorcar Gallery (@motorcargallery) on Jul 22, 2019 at 10:45am PDT

There were just 321 examples of the LP5000 S produced. This Countach variant is actually an LP500 S, though some were labelled LP5000 S, according to the International Lamborghini Registry.

The 1984 Lamborghini LP5000 S originally sold for about $100,000 and Andretti’s personal vehicle was listed at $499,000. Hagerty lists the value for a Countach model of this type at $472,000 in top Concours condition.

“Together with the Miura, the Countach represented the backbone of the Lamborghini legend,” the Countach page reads on Lamborghini’s official site.

Motorcar Gallery

The legend behind the legend

Mario Andretti’s racing career is as colorful as the cars he collected. According to his official website, he won the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500, the Formula One World Championship, and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. He took victory at the Indy Car National Championship four times and won three times at Sebring. Andretti’s career at 24 Hours of Le Mans spanned four decades, with his last race taking place in 2000 the age of 60.

Andretti remains the only driver to win the Indianapolis 500 (1969), Daytona 500 (1967), and Formula One World Championship. His 1978 win at the Italian Grand Prix made him the last American Formula One World Drivers’ Champion.

Andretti was named Driver of the Year in three different decades (the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s), and Driver of the Quarter Century. He was named the Associated Press Driver of the Century in 2000.

A man and his bulls

The Lamborghini Countach was produced from 1974 to 1990, marking it as the longest-running model in the Italian carmaker’s history

The above exotic is not the only Lamborghini Andretti has owned, nor is it the only Countach. YouTube user AllanLambo’s Garage posted a video in 2012 showing his newly purchased 1987 Lamborghini Countach Quattrovalvole, which was “specially made for Mario Andretti.”

Andretti’s 1989 Anniversary Edition Countach was on sale when it took part in an unfortunate event involving a street race with a Dodge Viper, as reported on ToyotaNation.

Andretti’s 1991 Lamborghini Diablo was up for sale at Sotheby’s earlier this year. A 2007 Murcielago LP640 Roadster was listed and sold at Bentley Long Island as “owned, driven, and autographed by Mario Andretti.”

Andretti’s official website has a list of his current personal vehicles, which includes a 2014 Lamborghini Aventador:

1987 Ford Bronco II (navy/tan)
2009 Honda CBR10REP9 motorcycle (Repsol orange)
2011 Lincoln Navigator (royal red metallic)
2012 Audi A8L W12 Quattro (ibis white)
2013 Audi Q7 (glacier white)
2014 Lamborghini Aventador (arancio argos)
2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (crystal red)

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Mario Andretti’s 1984 Lamborghini Countach LP5000 S sold for $500K