Every seasoned petrolhead has a specific machine that first ignited their automotive obsession, and for an entire generation, that catalyst was the impossibly angular, wedge-shaped silhouette of the Lamborghini Countach.
It remains the undisputed king of the 1980s bedroom poster. However, transitioning from childhood daydreams to acquiring a genuinely unique piece of Sant’Agata history is an incredibly rare feat.
Arriving on the auction block courtesy of RM Sotheby’s, this jaw-dropping 1983 Lamborghini Countach 5000 S by Bertone is a museum-grade masterpiece.
Expected to command in excess of £750,000+, it offers the discerning collector an unrepeatable factory specification and a fascinating globetrotting history that sets it completely apart from the pack.
The Sole Survivor in Oro Sahara
When Lamborghini introduced the second major update to the Countach in 1982, the resulting 5000 S brought a substantially more menacing aesthetic to the tarmac.
The inclusion of aggressive, wider fender flares perfectly housed the deep-dish, 8.5-inch wide Ozzeta Electron wheels. While the factory produced just 321 examples of this coveted variant, chassis number DLA12559 stands entirely alone.
It is the absolute only 5000 S to ever leave the factory finished in the breathtaking shade of Oro Sahara. Complemented flawlessly by a Champagne leather interior, this golden brute was completed in February 1983 and immediately exported to Saudi Arabia.
It is easy to imagine the sheer spectacle this car created cruising through the streets of Jeddah and Riyadh in the mid-80s.
Interestingly, a subsequent owner in 1989 actually had the car repainted white—complete with matching white wheels and a rear wing—before importing it to the UK and later exporting it to Belgium.
Unfiltered V12 Symphony
Beneath that iconic, scissor-doored bodywork lies the beating heart of a true Italian heavyweight. Because this is a highly desirable European-specification model, the thunderous, nearly five-litre V12 engine bypasses the restrictive fuel injection found on US-market cars.
Instead, it is topped with a glorious, old-school array of six Weber carburetors. This traditional, free-breathing setup not only produces a much more visceral, unadulterated acoustic roar, but it also unleashes an additional 20 horsepower over its American counterparts, delivering the uncompromising mechanical performance that driving purists crave.
A Concours-Quality Resurrection
The car’s modern era is a genuine testament to dedicated automotive stewardship.
Acquired by its current custodian in 2005, it was returned to its native Italy, remaining in the exact same ownership for over two decades.
Following an unfortunate flood incident in 2016, a monumental decision was made: the Countach would undergo a no-expense-spared, concours-quality restoration to return it to its spectacular, one-of-a-kind Oro Sahara factory specification.
Because Lamborghini Polo Storico was not executing in-house restorations at the time, they officially oversaw the project, entrusting the meticulous wrenching and bodywork to their official Milan-based partner, Caiarti.
Finally completed in 2022, the resurrected Countach immediately proved its mechanical mettle by participating in the Polo Storico 60 Giro, an exclusive, factory-backed heritage tour.
Meticulously preserved in its as-restored state ever since, the car remains perfectly dialed in, having just received a comprehensive fluid change and inspection by Turin-based Alfa Motori in April 2026.
Finding a raw, carburetor-equipped European 5000 S is hard enough; finding the sole golden example is a once-in-a-lifetime event. For upwards of £750,000+, the next owner isn’t just buying a vintage supercar; they are securing the ultimate wedge-shaped icon.
