1986 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV - Is The Ultimate Supercar Really Terrible To Drive? 

Owned a 1988.5 QV for 13+ years. Lovely car, bullet proof and fast. Couldn't drive it anywhere without an hour long conversation :-) Small price to pay for such an amazing car. Thanks for the review JM.

Stunning. How can a design from the 70s STILL look futuristic.

Have owned my current Countach for over 10 years..... Still my favorite of all my cars, fantastic and virtually trouble free after 10 years.

I've driven a Countach and it was a mostly miserable experience in almost every way that you'd usually judge a car. You know what? Didn't care, and I still want one as much as when I was a little kid back in the 80's.

Brings back memories of my 20s when i was on my thunderace 1000cc (2nd fastest bike in the world at the time) and came up on a black countach - traffic was light road was open - i went past 3 motorway exits past where i wanted to get off just to keep with it, i can assure you that the countach is definitely capable of going 180mph as i was bouncing off the limiter at just over 170mph and he was leaving me behind till traffic slowed it down and we'd go for it again - an experience I'll never forget!

This, the Testarossa and the 959 were my wall cars. Utterly bonkers, but infinitely desirable. I'm so glad you got to drive one, you lucky bugger.

Politicians should be forced to watch this video. Perhaps then they'll dump their electric car nonsense. What a SOUND!!!

Context is everything. The Countach still looks amazing now, but you have to consider what else was around in 1971, when we first saw photos of it, and 1974 or so, when that first test in Road & Track was published. It's easy to understand how it got its name. The car was visually rude in a way that no one had never seen before. Stunning. Off all charts. Totally alien. I'd even have a broken one. That's how disruptive it was.

Love the 80’s music on the video. Fantastic work James as always.

Have to say, the Miura was achingly beautiful compared to this but credit where it's due - the Countach captured people's imagination in a far greater way.

No hideous boy racer wing, beautiful. And the single most accurate, concise overview of the Countach to date.

The gentleman who owns this car (I'm not going to do him the disservice of butchering his name from spelling) is a true, stand-up petrolhead. Believe it or not, I live down the road from this very car (GLA12942). Short backstory; my friend lives in the same area as the owner, I live one town away. Me and my friend went on a drive and we spotted not one, but TWO Lancia Delta Integrale Evos in the same day on the same dual carriageway (one going there, one going back). Both were the same colour weirdly as well (a very similar colour to this Countach). We got home, and decided it would be cool to go on a walk. The weather was really nice that day. 3 minutes on our walk, we stumble across one of the Evos we just saw sat on the with its bonnet open. I was honestly in awe. Me and my friend just had to say something, it's not every day you get close up with a rally legend. Immediately I went up to say hello, and we spoke with the awesome owner. I wasn't too familiar with Integrales at the time so I was asking very basic questions but he was more than happy to answer them. I knew he was busy wrenching on it, so I cut it short with respect to him and we carried on our walk. Turns out it's a Japan Import Evo with only 20k miles, no surprises there, thing was mint. Since that day, every time I drive past I strike a quick glance to see what else might one day be lurking on the drive. A couple of months ago, I struck gold. This very Countach was sat on the drive; I was driving back with my friend (same friend), saw it and immediately got very excited. So much so when we got back, I told my friend I had to go check it out and ran up the road to go see it. He was busy elsewhere so sadly I didn't get to speak with him, but I stared at it for a good 5 minutes and took a couple pictures (again, with respect). That day I began to fall in love with the Countach. I immediately began to research as much as I could about this car, as where we are you rarely get to see cars of this calibre ever. I'm 20 and although I didn't grow up with one on my poster wall, it is now my favourite automobile. Originally this car was delivered in '87 with a wing, and actually has a sister car (KLA12903, a 25th Anniversary) bought by the same original owner as this DD. Whomever removed its wing did the right thing in my opinion, QVs and 5000Ss look so good without a wing. Really draws your eyes to the rear body lines instead. Ever since then I've been debating knocking on his door and asking about this beautiful machine. I'm just not sure if it's a rude thing to do? He also owns a Quattroporte (in the same colour!), I can only imagine how good the Countach, Integrale Evo & Quattroporte would look parked up next to one another. All in the same colour, wow. Nonetheless, if you're reading this. Thank you so much for being so great and inspiring me. - Mark

Congratulations, Jay. You've joined the pantheon of Countach reviewers. Thank you for treating her with the respect she deserves. Truly the greatest automobile ever made, and deservedly so. Cheers. ✌🏻🇺🇸

When supercars had an abundance of character, soul and wow factor. Absolutely stunning.

Oh yes! The supercar. It may not be the fastest, comfiest or best to drive, but it's _the_ supercar. When someone asks me to define a supercar, I say Countach. Yes, I had a poster of a white one on my bedroom wall as a kid.

It's great to learn that this amazing car is more than a pretty poster. It certainly seems to deserve its place in history. Thank you for reviewing it for us, JayEmm, and thanks to whomever lent it to you for yours and our enjoyment. Cheers!

I remember walking into Pullicino Classics in South London back in 1998. They had a white QV that had been in a museum and never used. It had the infamous body stress cracks and needing a £25k recommissioning. The asking price was £50k and I had just blown the best part of that on a Japanese import STI. Boy do I feel stupid now…

Bah... Countach... not a patch on my 1967 Hillman Imp Mk2 🙂 But seriously, the Countach poster positioned just beside the Farrah Fawcett poster was a mainstay of every teenage boy's bedroom back in the 1970s.

I got chills watching this, seeing how happy it made you 😳 I need to go out for a drive today

The excitement I had seeing this video come up was like Christmas morning 1987 finding Lights Alive under the tree. I ADORE the Countach! I wouldn’t care if it drove like a double decker bus on flat tyres! It is just magical. This review is my favourite Jayemm review ever and that is saying something. The car is incredible, James’ delight is genuine, the noise is beautiful and that intro with the 80s music was genius. I’ve just watched it and I’m going back to the start to watch it again. I’m sure I will watch it a number of times in the future. What a dream car! James, they’re only half a million quid... You know you want to!

I’m in my 50s now, so as a teen of the 80s I had the archetypal poster of white Countach against a black background. I lusted after one then, and still lust after one now. Films like Cannonball Run, Rain Man etc. only helped feed this desire. Sadly, the closest I ever got to (and probably ever will) owning one is a 1:32 scale model of a SV model (white with red SV lettering). Your video is a true testament to the harmony of man and machine in pure synchronicity. A very enjoyable watch. Loved the 80s themed retro intro music too. It set the tone of the video up perfectly. If ever you get to have a repeat drive, please do consider inviting me along. I promise to bring along a spare pair of pants, just in case my excitement lets out a little bit of wee

The first thing that ALWAYS catches my eyes on these cars are the flat window panes. So cool

I remember reading Mel Nicholls’ story of a Countach, a Silhouette, and a Urraco driving through the fog on the motorway in Belgium, towards England. Surreal. A fantastic car even after all these years. Loved the Muira in The Italian Job but it was the Countach that launched the mid-engine supercar era. Old school 😀😀😀

When I was a kid I had 4 pictures on my wall….a lamborghini countach, porsche 911 turbo, lotus esprit turbo and a ferrari testarossa, love it that these cars still look as amazing now as they did back then

This is probably the most important car you've covered since the XJ220...

I was 1 years old when it was bought! The shape and general appearance is truly unique! Thanks to you and the generous owner for this non-touchable experience 😁👍

Great video James. The fact that you couldn’t contain your excitement said it all. It’s an old school, brute of a super car, hardly comparable to stuff in this day & age but that’s the point! It delivers an amazing experience in its own right! 👌🏻

Wow! Loved this! "I'm driving a Lamborghini Countache! And it's not sh**!" 😆 What a dream car! Glad you loved it!

Great stuff JayEmm, 80’s title sequence was spot on, love the little touches to each video to make em special. Also maybe the nicest spec countach ive ever seen with the blue over cream with a different blue on the interior. Subtle and tasteful if it ever could be said of a countach

I'm so happy it's that good to drive, even if I'll never get the chance to try for myself, it's just good to know.

That intro with the music was fucking brilliant!!! Literally re-watching it just for that alone

Great review, of a true classic. Harry Metcalfe’s one, of which he has done several videos including European road trips sort of kayboshed the view that these beasts were completely unusable as a grand tourer. And old school Lambo should be a bit of a beast to drive, proper weapon….

Countach is the number 1 car for me! Ich just love everything about it! The outside, the inside, the sound is just incredible.

Brilliant! The music, the filter and then that car... amazing. Well done!

Brilliant video. They say "never meet your hero's" clearly not all ways the case!. Loved the enthusiasm and the sheer delight of getting to drive one 😁

I can totally understand those that love these. When I first got into cars in my youth, the question was a Ferrari F40 or Porsche 959 battle.

I may be born in’97 but that Countach was on my wall as a kid, alongside knightrider and DeLorean; and I wonder why I loved that intro music so much!

Fantastic video. Loved seeing the clip from Unleashed On Cars. That VHS, which I was obsessed with as a child, was the definite beginning of my life long love of cars.

I love how aerodynamic it looks... But I love how aerodynamic it actually isn't even more. Very much function following form. Nothing can be allowed to compromise the form.

This might be my favourite of all @Jayemm 's videos because this was my childhood dream car but I am not 100% sure of that, merely because this was in its own right a fantastic Countach drive today. Good Job Jayemm.

I watched that intro about 5 times. Top work! It’s also obvious how much you appreciated the opportunity to drive the Countach. Great stuff and brilliant video

As an italian I can say that that "forza Lamborghini" was top notch! :) Kudos!

Another great video. You guys are smashing it, as far as I know there's no one else doing cars and bikes and it really works 👍

00:57 best edit in the history of editing

Amazing car. Love the interior. Loved the music choices and production. Production quality really shows for this video. Looking forward to future videos. Keep up the good work.

Wow! I loved this video. I’ve never seen you so happy driving a car. You’ve made me want to take the plunge. This really was the best British RU-vidr video on a Countach. Your video was factually packed with knowledge and the sound - wow! You captured that V12 carburettor sound so well. My dear friend Mike Pullen of Carerra Sport and multiple Countach owner has always said that nothing makes you feel as good as a well set up Countach (but he doesn’t like the Anniversary as it’s too big and heavy). This is your best video to date. Thank you. And I love that colour - acapulco blue.

Thanks Jay, great watching your films. You have a knack for picking the cars I’d like to know the modern evaluation of. We’re probably a similar age so similar taste. Great to see you in the Countach and most other things. Thanks again. Keep living the dream for us.

Great video James , the opening was amazing very professional done and the Lambo is one of mine child hood dream cars. Saw two of them in white chasing a super bike back in the late 80’s on the autobahn and was epic to see and hear and burned into my memories forever.

What a great review. You really are the top of the game mate. Being from Essex it’s great to see Essex back roads and villages.

Great video. Your cinematography is what sets your videos apart from the pack. You are the Kubrick of the automotive RU-vid world.

Great video. Loved the intro with the music. Thanks for the content!! Keep the videos coming. 👍👍👍

Brilliant video, I've wanted to see you review one of these for ages.

Thanks J, great review, glad you enjoyed yourself! Anything looking like a Le Mans car is fantastic! Thanks to the chap who brought out his P&J for us to!

Countach is one of my all dream cars, and owning one is my lifegoal, thank you so much for this great video James!

Looks amazing with the headlights popped up. It was my dream car as a kid growing up and had to watch your video with my earbuds in so I could really here that engine

I almost didn’t watch the video before commenting….I was seriously giddy when I opened RU-vid and saw this car on your channel. I was giddy for you! What an absolute dream come true. I know you take your channel and work seriously-and this achievement is so cool for you! Incredible video (I did watch first….), loved the commentary…’not complete rubbish’-beautiful break description. What a day/evening! Congrats!

What a nice sound. I expected a kind of screaming but there is this beautiful growling and trumpeting... I like it. Sounds like competence.

Great episode, lots of interesting information on a car I’ve never driven.

What a great video James!

Love it ! Great video , especially, that you put parts in your video where you can hear the sound without any music ore comments.

All 'cudos' being given the opportunity to drive it. I guess the owner must either be a fan but either way, saw you as a guy for the job, such is your reviews, which make for good watching. You manage to put into words what people feel & think about many cars, including this one. Thanks.

That synth music from the beginning sent shivers down my spine! Great video!

Your verdict on the Countach Jay is spot on! They say "never meet your heroes", and that was absolutely true. Back in the day, I coveted the Countach, so the dealer lent me one to test. OMG, my illusion was shattered. I ended up poisoned, deaf and with a bad back! I then jumped into a Ferrari Testarossa, which was comfortable, civilised and easy to drive. I opted for that one in white. Several other Ferrari's joined my collection, F40, Enzo, LaFerrari ect (all in white) but the white Countach still stayed in the back of my mind. Did I make a mistake? Probably. Listening to you describe the reasons why the Countach is so difficult to live with, just left me feeling " I played it safe" all those years back. I will never own a Countach, that ship has sailed. I now have a collection of white Ferrari's, all a bit the same, pretty mundane, nice nonetheless......but will always wonder....."what if?!"😢.

Really enjoyed the review James, although my enjoyment was tinged with some envy 😁 Hope that you can eventually find an LP400 to test in the future for comparison. Sound of the V12 is epic on full throttle.

Looks amazing! great vid and review!

Massive massive fan James, and another fantastic video. Your unadulterated joy really came through, love to see it.

I love your intro, I love the Countach, I had this on my wall as you said. I love the 70's early 80's sound track starter. High quality video. Your my favourite go to car magazine now. Loving what your doing. Proper Petrol heads channel.

Excellent review from you sir, as always. Sending love from Texas

Oh wow I’ll rewatch this I’m so glad it was a positive review as I’ve always loved this car and regularly watch you tube vids of it Amazing

Excellent video, one of your best!

Awesome video James

Great review James …..This was definitely my bedroom poster car, it was in its day the most radical supercar. It was the lowest widest wheels etc etc it was made even more famous with the cannonball run series (as well as the drivers 😉) I remember they were approx £56 k new in the day so not a bad investment 😀👍🏻

A really great episode and stunning car, cheers!

Yip! i had the white lambo poster back in 86! Jay! loved this review that engine sound glorious with headphones on and that 'UH!' you did at the 3 point turn just sealed how i felt when i saw this car! fantastic video bud thank you!

I'm with you James: I've always been Miura and Diablo (I'm older than you...) over Countach. And yet, the Countach is still there, Bizzarini V12 and all and if a certain farmer still loves his after spending ouch! money on it, I'll get over my bias. Now, when you've finished with the keys...

Great review Jay! Loving the enthusiasm 👍

My favourite car of all time😍. Well done sir on another great video

What a fitting tribute to an icon. Truly moving, and a gold-star example of RU-vid creation that exemplifies its advantages over TV. Thank you 😊

Excellent review, on an absolutely astonishing looking car!!!

Perfect review and video! Thank you very much!

What an opening scene...the music, fly-bys...loved it 🙌🏽

This was my poster car growing up in the 70's & 80's. Red, with the large rear wing.Nothing has captured me like that car since. That look, and the sound of the V12. Loved your review of it. Had only ever heard how heavy and cumbersome they were to drive. None of that has ever stopped me craving one, and if I ever came into serious money, I would hunt one down. Keep up your excellent reviews.

This is one of your best videos to date. Very enjoyable

The intro tune playing when first driving it was an epic choice! Perfection in motion.

I don't really comment on your videos JayEmm, but on this occasion, I have to say, I'm so jealous of you. I have never sat in a Countach, let alone driven one, the closest I've been is driving a Gallardo (which was underwhelming). I can tell you now, if I so much as got the chance to sit in a Countach, I would burst into tears, I wouldn't be able to help myself. No other car does that for me (and I'm a Lotus Elise owner). That car is the living statement of what I love about cars. Nothing to do with speed, or performance. It's all about presence and soul. I feel sick just watching.

Great video, really enjoyed that. Stunning car, noise 🤤😍 that colour too.. Class act 👍🏽

Perfect video as always James and stunning color combo. With Harry's series about his, Throttle House recent video and this, I think RU-vid now has a very proper set of videos about the Countach

What a car, what a sound. Brilliant video! Thank you James.

Magnificent! in 40 years this car will STILL be mesmerizing. Well done! When James May drove one he said, careful about meeting your heroes, but you know what he still loved it, how can anyone with a pulse not!

One of your best videos mate I enjoyed every second !

The intro to this video is genius. Excellent work.

Great video James, perfect music and titles, movie like. Looked like you enjoyed it a lot

If there was one car that could wow the hell outta anyone forever, it’s the COUNTACH! I’m almost 90 and I still have that long poster with that white Koenig Countach on my wall. 😀

Fast, dense and well thought out commentary. I like when I find a good channel

Still got my poster from 1982 when i was 18 , pride of place in my workshop.

Stunning car, great review J

This is IT , your channel was just begging and in dire need of this car. AWESOME!!!

Oh my! The intro music from Cannonball Run started in my head every single time you accelerated and the camera was pointing at the exhaust! What an iconic car and movie opening!

This will be one of your most popular videos, I’m sure. Thanks for doing the talkabout intro though, history and comparison with competitors. I wish you did that for all your videos!

Fantastic video!