We are all aware of the incredible Lamborghini Countach, which was ahead of its time when it was unveiled in the late 1970s. Several versions remained in production until 1990, with the original LP400 being a highly sought-after car today. However, the later evolutions, such as the LP400 S, the LP500 S, the Quattrovalvole, and the 25th Anniversary edition, have remained below the million-dollar mark. This all changed with the auction of a 1989 Countach 25th Anniversary in white-on-white.
This specific Countach, chassis ZA9CA05A0KLA12722, holds a special significance. While the Countach Quattrovalvole and subsequent 25th Anniversary editions were produced in high numbers, with over 600 units, this particular 25th Anniversary model has a unique distinction – it is a movie star. Yes, you read that correctly. This car is one of just two white Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary models used in the 2013 Martin Scorsese film The Wolf of Wall Street. It is one of only 12 units delivered in US specifications, finished in Bianco Polo with a Bianco leather interior. It is important to note that this is not a pearlescent white, but a solid white.
I think you may have already seen the ‘other’ Countach that was recently auctioned in Dubai. It was the crash-damaged one, still in the original wreck from the movie, with a low estimate of $1,500,000. The final bid on that car was a staggering $1,350,000, resulting in a ‘no sale’. So, when this pristine unit, used in the movie for moving shots and close-up work, was listed with an estimate between $1,500,000 and $2,000,000 by renowned RM Sotheby’s for their New York auction on December 8, we were all very interested in seeing what this one would bring, and if it would sell in the end.
If you look at these photos of chassis KLA12722 you’ll notice it looks almost identical to chassis KLA12692 before the latter was crashed for the movie, but that was not exactly the case back in 2013 when The Wolf of Wall Street was recorded. More importantly, the steering wheel is different. This car, chassis KLA12722, had a custom two-tone white and black steering wheel cover fitted by the previous owner, a detail that could be seen in a scene where Leonardo di Caprio gets out of the car after arriving at his home. The car that crashed had the original, all-black steering wheel.
During filming, one of the screen-used cars featured a smaller Euro-style front bumper and no rear wing, with the fixing holes on the luggage cover being filled at that time. Additionally, the rear deck lid with the spoiler was put on for some shots, but it was later removed when filming was completed.
The car, chassis KLA12722, has been restored to its original 1989 factory specifications which includes the installation of the large US-version front bumper and an original rear wing. This makes it almost identical to the Countach featured in the movie “Wolf of Wall Street.” It would be amazing to have both cars side by side in your garage – the perfect version next to the one that was completely ruined for the movie. Comparing both side by side would be an impressive sight.
However, the crashed car didn’t sell at $1,350,000, while the undamaged unit sold for $1,655,000, setting a record for a 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary. This is particularly significant considering there were about 675 units made in the late Eighties, and the average price earlier this year was just around $500,000. This movie star Countach, which was driven by Leonardo di Caprio in the movie, sold for over triple the average amount.
Image Source: lev radin @ShutterStock
