The Wolf of Wall Street Lamborghini Countach is heading to auction – here’s how much it could make

There are plenty of cars that have had starring roles in hit movies in years gone by. 

James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5, Steve McQueen’s Ford Mustang from Bullitt and Doc Brown’s time-travelling DeLorean DMC-12, to name just a few.

But one of the most recognisable motors from the big screen in recent years is the white Lamborghini Countach that featured in 2013 hit, The Wolf of Wall Street, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as morally dubious and risk taking stockbroker Jordan Belfort from the book of the same name.

Soon, one of the very motors used for filming will be sold at auction, and it’s estimated to make a staggering amount. And don’t worry, it’s not the destroyed one!

The Wolf of Wall Street Lambo to be sold at auction: One of the two cars used during filming of the 2013 film is going under the hammer in New York at the end of 2023

Esteemed auction house RM Sotheby’s will be offering the 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary car in its ‘Bianco Polo’ white paint and ‘Bianco Countach’ white leather interior to the highest bidder at its December New York City sale – which will take place close to the financial markets on Wall Street itself.

The highlight of the sale will unquestionably be the DiCaprio-driven Lambo, which is recognised for its role in the Martin Scorsese modern classic.

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It is remembered for the iconic scene where Belfort – high on a cocktail of drugs and alcohol in the film – crawls across the driveway of his local country club to his prized Italian supercar in an attempt to get home.

Having managed to open the passenger’s side scissor door with his foot, Jordan hauls his body into the driver’s seat before colliding with almost everything in his path.

The scene ends with DiCaprio’s character being dragged away by police officers later that evening – and his car a crumpled heap outside his property. 

The car is remembered for the iconic scene where main character Jordan Belfort (played by DiCaprio) – high on a cocktail of drugs and alcohol – crawls across the driveway of his local country club to his prized Lambo in an attempt to get home

Having attempted to drive a mile home, the scene ends with DiCaprio’s character being dragged away by police officers later that evening – and his car a crumpled heap outside his home (pictured)

The 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary car being sold is the ‘hero’ car that wasn’t damaged during filming

The second car trashed during the scene was also a genuine 25th Anniversary Lamborghini Countach, which at the time was worth around $700k. Director Martin Scorsese reportedly wanted to use an authentic car so it would ‘crumble’ in the right way

The Oscar-worthy scene – in fact, the film was nominated for five of the awards – is incredibly painful to watch for petrolheads who know the true value of one of these cars.

Especially as it was reported that two genuine Lamborghinis were used for the filming – one for the scene where Belfort imagines he’s made it home unscathed, and a second that was totalled as he crashed into other cars, a golf buggy, kerbs and road signs on his drugged-up stupor. 

This was because Scorcese reportedly refused to use a replica ‘donor’ car, fearing it wouldn’t ‘crumple’ in the right way. 

That’d despite these Lamborghinis being extremely rare and unquestionably collectors’ items.

Only a couple of handfuls of white-on-white Countach 25th Anniversary editions were built for the US market – and the one that was totalled reportedly had just 7,000 miles on the clock!

It means a super-rare Countach – reportedly worth around $700,000 (over half a million pounds) at the time of filming – was trashed for the movie.

However, the unharmed example is the one being sold on 8 December.

The film car is also exceptionally rare. Finished in ‘Bianco Polo’ white paint and ‘Bianco Countach’ white leather interior, it is said to be one of 13 examples built for the US market

‹ Slide me ›

The 2013 film’s Oscar-worthy scene – in fact, the film was nominated for five of the awards – is incredibly painful to watch for petrolheads who know the true value of one of these cars

RM Sotheby’s says just 12 cars are believed to have been made to this ones exacting specification and estimates it will sell for between $1.5million and $2million. In pounds, that’s £1.2million to £1.6million

The door handle for the passenger-side scissor door that DiCaprio used his foot to open in the iconic movie scene

RM Sotheby’s says just 12 cars are believed to have been made to this ones exacting specification and estimates it will sell for between $1.5million and $2million. In pounds, that’s £1.2million to £1.6million.

And it even still sports the ‘VKY 722’ New York number plate used in the movie. 

The 25th Anniversary Countach is recognisable by its even more flamboyant bodywork, which was designed by Horacio Pagani – the boss of the hypercar company in his name.

Upgrades included Kevlar panels, a revised rear bumper, new engine lid, rocker panels, and bigger air intakes. It also sports commemorative ’25th Anniversary’ emblems.

Under the refreshed engine cover is a ferocious 5.2-litre V12 petrol engine producing 449 horsepower.

When new, Lamborghini said it could reach 62mph in just 4.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 183 mph.

‘Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street used not one, but two Countach sports cars in similar configurations. For the most memorable scene, a night-time drive with an inebriated DiCaprio, a second Countach was depicted with lifelike damage. This example, the movie’s hero car, remained pristine and unharmed,’ RM Sotheby’s confirmed.

‘With its star turn, this cinematic Countach is undeniably world famous. 

‘A timeless fusion of automotive and cinematic zeitgeist, chassis number KLA12722 is an iconic example that intertwines the legacies of Lamborghini and Hollywood, and serves as an emblem to multiple generations,’ the auction house added.

‹ Slide me ›

A timeless fusion of automotive and cinematic zeitgeist, chassis number KLA12722 is an iconic example that intertwines the legacies of Lamborghini and Hollywood, and serves as an emblem to multiple generations,’ RM Sotheby’s said

The 1989 Lamborghini being sold even still sports the ‘VKY 722’ New York number plate used in the movie

If the Lambo does sell for between £1.2m and £1.6m as predicted, it will obliterate the market value for one of these cars. Hagerty says a ‘concours’ example is worth around £334,000 today

The sale will be one of the biggest automotive highlights of the end of the year, with the hammer due to drop on 8 December in New York

If the Lambo does sell for between £1.2m and £1.6m as predicted, it will obliterate the market value for one of these cars.

Hagerty says an absolutely pristine, low-mileage version today is worth £334,000.

However, its star role in the cult modern classic film means it is almost guaranteed to sell for more than four times that value. 

Gord Duff, global head of Auctions at RM Sotheby’s, said: ‘The ‘Wolf’ Countach, along with the other cars that will be on offer, perfectly embodies what we set out to accomplish when we decided to host a sale during Sotheby’s Luxury Week. 

‘Scorsese, DiCaprio, Lamborghini, and New York—all make for an incredible pedigree. 

‘The sale will feature other similar cars—unique, highly collectible, with a degree of provenance, low mileage, or one-off specifications. 

‘Our team has a great track record of curating boutique sales such as this, and we look forward to showcasing this during Luxury Week.’

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