One of the World’s Rarest V12 Supercars Has a Lamborghini Countach EngineAutoblogEarl LeeWed, September 23, 2026 at 9:30 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleAutoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.At Broad Arrow's 2026 Zoute Concours AuctionThe car you see pictured is one of five in the world. It's a 1990 Monte Carlo Automotive (MCA) Centenaire, and it ended up on the consignment list of Broad Arrow Auctions and will be available to bid on at the second annual Broad Arrow Zoute Concours Auction, in collaboration with Zoute Grand Prix Car Week, which will take place at the Approach Golf in Knokke-Heist, Belgium, on October 9, 2026.If there are only five of these things in the world, how do you price something as special as this? Accordingly, that's how. Broad Arrow Auctions estimates it could go anywhere between $967,000 and $1,290,000.Broad Arrow AuctionsView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleThe First CentenaireThe example going up for sale is the very first Centenaire, confirmed by a letter from MCA representative Matteo Ramello. This car has the original chassis and is the first Centenaire ever produced. Not only is it the first of its nameplate, but it's also the "first road-going production car fitted with a carbon [fiber] chassis," according to Broad Arrow Auctions. It was also the first model used for development, testing, and presentation. After that run, it was designated EL0002 and sat in the Lamborghini factory in Sant'Agata Bolognese for about 10 years. From there, it was gifted to the company founder, Fulvio Ballabio, in the early 2000s.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn its current state, it's refinished in its factory Ivory White color, contrasted with a bright red leather interior. This intentional palette choice lets the car reflect the colors of Monaco. This car was also sent to the Lamborghini factory for about a decade before it changed hands, and if you've been paying close attention to the photos, you will see a Lamborghini logo on its side. That's because it has a 5.2-liter V12 engine, the same one found in the Lamborghini Countach 5000QV. Supplying another company with its powertrain is one thing, but Lambo were also crazy enough to put its V12 in the LM002 SUV, remember that? According to the history books and Broad Arrows' report, it makes 455 horsepower and utilizes a six-speed manual transmission from ZF.After Ballabio, the car passed to other owners. Circa 2007, the car was refinished in blue; it was then displayed at Rétromobilethat year. It then notably changed hands with its current owner and consignor in France in 2014. About two years later, the car was restored and painted back to Ivory White.Broad Arrow AuctionsView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleA Little-Known Piece of HistoryThe documentation for this car is complete. Broad Arrows describes it as a "vast history file," including a copy of the contract between Lamborghini and Fulvio Ballabio to supply MCA with the V12 engines for the Centenaire.AdvertisementAdvertisementWithout a doubt, this is one of the more interesting cars that will appear at Broad Arrows' auction this year. Its history, connection to Lamborghini, and estimate will be worth watching. Will it exceed that $1,290,000 estimate, or will it be on the dot?Broad Arrow AuctionsView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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