Lamborghini – Countach LP400 (1976)

This flamboyant purple Lamborghini Countach was delivered new in 1976 to Princess Dalal bint Saud Al Saud, the daughter of King Saud of Saudi Arabia. This legendary car was a lavish birthday present from the bride’s groom, ordered in her favourite colour purple – ‘Viola Salchi’ – and finished with a white leather interior. Her husband Prince Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud correspondingly owned a red Countach liveried with a bold white stripe from front end to tail. This Countach is one of only two Berlinettas originally painted in purple. Prior to delivery, Prince Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud had the car customised with white accents to highlight the sports-car’s dramatic lines. It is a rare ‘Periscopica’ version and one of only 157 examples built to feature the ingenious rear-view periscope. It was delivered through Lamborghini concessionaire Achilli Motors in Milan to the couple in California before they returned with the Countach to Saudi Arabia. John Kolkka, an engineer and associate of the Saudi Royal Family, purchased the car in 1983 and brought it back to the USA. In 1989, it was restored and restyled in black. In 2019, the car was returned to the original colour of ‘Viola Salchi’ complemented with white accents, exactly matching its original livery 43 years previously. In 2023, this very special Lamborghini was driven from England to the factory in Sant’Agata, Bologna, to star in Lamborghini’s 60th anniversary celebrations.