Highlights
- Highly regarded Mirage evocation based on Koenig Turbo Countach
- Classic white with two-tone blue and white interior
- Chassis reportedly designed by renowned sports car designer Lee Noble
- 350bhp high specification 5.8L Chevy V8 with 5spd Porsche 986 gearbox
- Comprehensive 2010 engine rebuild with around 2,000 miles since completion
- Recently retrimmed interior with authentic Lamborghini instrumentation
- Genuine Porsche 911 braking components including Brembo four-pot calipers
The Appeal
Looking at the photos of this highly detailed Mirage evocation, you can see how the Countach got its name. Reportedly it’s the Piedmontese swear word exclaimed by Lambo’s workers when Gandini’s masterpiece first rolled into view.
This 1988-built Mirage takes as its inspiration the Konig Turbo version of the Countach, which in short was a wild iteration of an already ‘out there’ car. The Mirage cars are virtually indistinguishable from the factory ones - we’ll leave it to you to post the differences in the comments - and thanks to a tubular spaceframe chassis reputedly designed by Lee Noble, were far more than mere showboating style cars.
This one takes its ID from a 1975 GMC Chevrolet. It adds a potent mechanical specification to the cosmetic mix. The interior features a retrimmed two-tone theme including some genuine Lamborghini dials. Taking the headline role is a burbling, potent rebuilt 5.8L Chevy V8 that, thanks to some choice tweaks, is said to be good for over 350bhp. There is a 5spd Porsche 986 (Boxster) gearbox and mix of Porsche 911 and Brembo brakes to keep things under control.
The car is reported to have covered less than 2,000 miles since the engine rebuild. It is said to start, run and drive with a large history file of maintenance and parts etc.
The vendor says:
“Finished in a striking shade of Bianco White, with contrasting black details and pin striping, and offered complete with a comprehensive history file and age-related registration document (dated 1975), this is an authentic and highly usable homage to one of the true icons of the 1980s.”
History and Paperwork
- Takes its identify from a 1975 GMC Chevrolet
- Reported to have been built in 1988
- Three previous UK keepers
- Mirage 5000QV based on the Keonig Turbo Countach
- Powered by a 5.8-litre Chevrolet small block V8 engine rebuilt in 2010
- Comprehensive history file included with the sale
- Chassis reputedly designed by Lee Noble on a full tubular steel space frame
- Built to replicate the Koenig Turbo Countach specification with appropriate styling details
- V5C in current keeper’s name
The Condition
- Finished in Bianco White with contrasting black details and pin striping
- Well detailed and dimensionally closely accurate bodywork
- Paintwork presents well with few indications of age to note
- Features Countach badging and iconic scissor doors
- Koenig Turbo aesthetic with Koenig side skirts and delta rear wing
- Fitted with colour-coded telephone dial split-rim alloy wheels by Image Wheels
- White alloy wheels with polished rims similar to the factory cars
- Alloys show light age in photos
- Fitted with mix of Yokohama and Pirelli tyres as shown
- Interior recently retrimmed in white with contrasting navy blue trim
- Dashboard features some correct Lamborghini instrumentation
- Fully flat-floored underside for improved aerodynamics
The Mechanics
- 5.8-litre Chevrolet small block V8 engine
- Manual five-speed Porsche (986) gearbox
- Approximately 2,000 miles since engine rebuild according to vendor
- Holley four barrel double pumper carburettor and electric choke
- Sports inlet manifold and Mallory 123 ignition system
- Tubular exhaust headers with correct ANSA four-tip tail pipes
- Estimated 350+ bhp delivered to the rear wheels
- Double wishbone front and rear suspension with twin rear trailing arms
- Rose joints throughout the suspension system
- Spax adjustable coil-over dampers all round with twin dampers to the rear
- Porsche 911 vented brake discs with Brembo four-pot calipers
- Vendor describes a large history file of regular maintenance
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