Lamborghini Countach

Dr Thillainathan Pathmanathan’s fascination with Lamborghinis began at the age of eight with the sight of the Marzal concept car, and this passion for Sant’ Agata’s supercars has never waned. He has authored the world’s first stand-alone books on the Lamborghini Murciélago and the KTM X-BOW, as well as books on the Lamborghini Countach, the Lamborghini Diablo and Lamborghini’s Holy Trinity of Countach, Diablo and Murciélago. He feels immensely privileged to hold, since 2001, joint temporary custodianship of Countach Chassis JLA12399, a totally factory-standard Rosso Siviglia 88 1/2 5000 QV – one of only fourteen such right-hand drive cars in the world. His most precious automotive memories are of meeting and interviewing Paolo Stanzani, Giampaolo Dallara, Umberto Marchesi, Valentino Balboni and Marcello Gandini. Dr Anne Christina Reck’s first sighting of a guillotine-door Lamborghini V12 entranced and enchanted her. Her respect for these Sant’ Agata flagships grew with each visit to the factory, and with every encounter with the people who conceived, developed, built and now preserve these automotive jewels. Dr Reck has co-authored books on the KTM X-BOW, the Lamborghini Countach, the Lamborghini Diablo and Lamborghini’s Holy Trinity. Her most abiding car memories include the gala factory launch dinner of the Murciélago, watching the last Diablo roll off the Sant’ Agata production line, and most of all setting eyes on the Countach for the very first time.