1985 Lamborghini Countach Quattrovalve Chassis #GLA12997
When the struggling Lamborghini business went bankrupt in 1980, the French Mimran brothers Jean-Claude and Patrick purchased the ailing car company and renamed it Nuova Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini SpA. Patrick Mimran, a dyed-in-the-wool car-guy back in those days, installed himself at the head of the company and over five years brought it back to life. There were perks, of course, such as treating himself to a brand-new Countach right off the assembly line every few years. The most renowned of these cars was a Quattrovalvole (LP112D), chassis GLA12997.
Mimran had the car commissioned in a one-off colour scheme, a sublime metallic hue dubbed Bordeaux Speciale, specially created by PPG Italver, Lamborghini’s Milan-based paint supplier. Cream leather upholstery named ‘Panna’ plus ‘Oro’ Ozzetta wheels complemented the striking livery. Of course, the boss’ car couldn’t run a stock Tipo L507 V4/73 carburatori engine so unit 1202 was breathed upon, being fitted with special cams and an additional oil cooler. The net result was basically one of the factory blueprinted engines rated good for the 470bhp that the factory afforded its more sporting clients – the extra 15bhp confirmed by then Lamborghini chief technical director ingegnere Luigi Marmiroli. Gearbox 1013 and differential 909 completed the mechanical package. Inside, a state-of-the-art Alpine hi-fi was discreetly installed to satisfy Mimran’s love of music.
Completed at Sant’Agata on 13 May 1986 for delivery to Switzerland after being signed off by legendary factory tester Valentino Balboni, the Countach was driven out of the factory gates by Mimran on EE (escursionisti esteri) plates for foreign vistitors, and subsequently registered VD.256925 in his Swiss hometown of Vaude. Mimran even kept GLA12997 after he sold his car company to American auto giant Chrysler. The Countach was featured in the December 1986 edition of Road&Track, showing it coming down the factory assembly line prior to finishing. Mimran then used the car on many trips, including memorable ones from Geneva to Sant’Agata, and from Geneva to St Tropez.
In 2015, the crew at Dugan Specialties began the restoration process for Joe Sackey Classics.
History
Here are some early photos of the car during assembly. Note the name written on the fiberglass panel. This panel was later covered in black leather.