A Lamborghini With a Citroën Connection
What do a Lamborghini Countach and a Citroën BX have in common? Both were designed by Marcello Gandini, and this Countach appeared in a Citroën TV commercial for their BX GTi 16S.
In order to give the the BX sporting appeal, the ad was themed around the fact that Gandini had styled the 1980s classic Countach 5000 and now he had designed this fashionable new Citroën.
The Countach was taken to Italy in order to film the advert in 1989 and while it was on the set, the owner (the same one selling the car now) I received a phone call from Marcello who told him how much he loved the car’s specification and that he could remember the car being built at the factory. That’s why he’d asked for that particular car to appear in the ad. Marcello told him that the 5000S side-draught 45DCOE carburettor cars are the “Model to Keep” and “do not” swap it for an Injection car. He then asked the owner if he would like him to “sign the Countach?” which was obviously readily accepted.
When the car was returned to the UK, this signature was preserved and is still extremely clear and bright today. Many regard the car today as the ultimate Countach, signed by its legendary designer, and there will never be another as Marcello sadly passed in 2024.
It is coming up for sale through Iconic Auctioneers on November 14, 2026 at the NEC Classic Motor Show, estimated to sell between £700,000 – £900,000 ($950,000 – $1,200,000 USD) + buyer’s premium of 12.5% plus VAT (15% incl VAT).
At the time of photography for the auction, the Countach’s odometer indicated just 25,013 km – equivalent to 15,542 miles.
Check it out the full auction listing here: https://www.iconicauctioneers.com/1983-lamborghini-countach-rec17450-1-nec-1126