CAR Magazine – November 1982 – Lamborghini Countach 5.0 Litre – Classic Motoring

Original November 1982 edition of CAR Magazine, featuring the legendary Lamborghini Countach 5.0-litre supercar on the front cover, alongside an extensive selection of classic motoring articles, road tests, manufacturer news and automotive commentary.

This vintage British motoring publication captures an important period in automotive history, when manufacturers including Lamborghini, Ferrari, Lotus, Alfa Romeo, Opel, Volkswagen and Honda were developing some of the most distinctive vehicles of the early 1980s.

The magazine's striking cover features the headline:

"COUNTACH! FLAT-OUT IN THE FABULOUS 5.0 LITRE"

An appealing original publication for collectors of Lamborghini memorabilia, Italian supercars, classic performance cars and vintage automotive magazines.

Front Cover – Lamborghini Countach 5.0 Litre

The front cover is dominated by a dramatic action photograph of a white Lamborghini Countach travelling at speed.

The photograph captures the unmistakable wedge-shaped supercar from a side angle, emphasising its exceptionally low profile, wide body, angular styling and distinctive side air intakes.

The background is deliberately blurred, giving the image a strong impression of movement and speed.

The Countach's dramatic bodywork and powerful 5.0-litre engine make it an especially interesting subject for enthusiasts of Lamborghini's early-1980s supercars.

The large metallic-style CAR masthead appears across the upper section, with the publication date and original cover price clearly printed.

The cover photograph is credited to Dougie Firth in the magazine's contents section.

Main Features and Articles

Page 60 – Lamborghini Countach 5.0 Litre

Countach!

One of the magazine's principal attractions is its feature examining Lamborghini's spectacular 5.0-litre Countach.

The contents describe the latest development of Lamborghini's famous mid-engined supercar, with particular attention to its larger engine and extraordinary performance.

The article introduces the 5.0-litre version as an exciting evolution of one of the most recognisable Italian supercars ever produced.

The cover photograph provides an excellent example of period automotive photography, capturing the Countach in motion rather than as a stationary display vehicle.

Particularly interesting for collectors researching the Lamborghini Countach, early-1980s supercar development and contemporary motoring journalism.

Page 68 – Opel Corsa: GM Blitz The Minis

An article examining General Motors' new small-car contender, the Opel Corsa.

The contents introduce the Corsa as a significant new arrival in the European supermini market.

The feature considers how the new model would compete against established small cars from other manufacturers.

A useful historical article for enthusiasts of the original Opel Corsa and the development of European hatchbacks during the 1980s.

Page 72 – Paris Panache

A feature covering developments at the Paris Motor Show.

The contents highlight several manufacturers, including:

• Audi, with its 100 model.

• Opel, with the new Corsa.

• Ford, with the Sierra.

The article provides a contemporary look at important European automotive launches and industry developments during 1982.

Page 76 – Newcomers

Lotus Excel and Lancia Trevi Volumex

The magazine examines two notable developments from European manufacturers.

The Lotus Excel is presented as an important addition to the British sports-car manufacturer's range.

The Lancia Trevi Volumex is also featured, representing the Italian manufacturer's interest in supercharged engine technology.

A particularly interesting section for collectors of Lotus and Lancia publications.

Page 80 – Lamborghini Jalpa

Another important Lamborghini feature focuses on the Jalpa.

The contents describe the Jalpa as Lamborghini's midweight contender in the UK showroom market.

The article examines the smaller Lamborghini's position alongside the manufacturer's more extreme Countach.

This makes the issue especially appealing to Lamborghini collectors, as it covers two distinctive models from the marque during the same period.

Page 87 – The Bull Merchant

A feature concerning Lamborghini's British representative and the business of selling the Italian manufacturer's exclusive sports cars.

An interesting insight into Lamborghini's presence in the British market during the early 1980s.

Page 88 – Oil, Thick and Thin

A motoring commentary feature discussing modern engine oil specifications and claims.

The article examines the increasingly complicated world of automotive lubricants and the technical information presented to motorists.

Page 92 – Tale of Two Minis

BL Metro vs Honda City

A comparison examining two small cars representing British and Japanese approaches to urban motoring.

The article places the British Leyland Metro against the Honda City, highlighting developments in the compact-car market.

Particularly interesting for collectors of Austin Metro, British Leyland and early Honda automotive material.

Page 96 – Giant Test

Alfasud Sprint Veloce vs Volkswagen Scirocco GL vs Honda Prelude Executive

A substantial comparison feature examining three sporting coupés.

The vehicles featured are:

• Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint Veloce.

• Volkswagen Scirocco GL.

• Honda Prelude Executive.

The comparison provides an interesting period perspective on European and Japanese sporting cars, their styling, performance and everyday appeal.

Page 106 – Honda Map the Future

An article by motoring journalist LJK Setright examining Honda's motorcycle engineering and design.

The feature explores the manufacturer's technical approach and future direction.

An interesting addition for enthusiasts of Honda motorcycles and Japanese engineering.

Page 120 – Spider Sweet

Fiat Spider Europa

An article examining the Fiat Spider Europa and its return to production under Pininfarina.

The feature focuses on the continuing appeal of the Italian open-top sports car.

Page 124 – Spider Hot

Abarth Spider Europa

A companion feature examining a more performance-oriented development of the Spider Europa.

The contents highlight the addition of an Abarth supercharger and revised suspension characteristics.

An appealing period article for collectors of Fiat, Abarth and Pininfarina automotive history.

Page 130 – Goodbye To All That

An article discussing the replacement of London's familiar black taxi with a new Range Rover-inspired design proposal.

An unusual piece of British motoring history, reflecting the automotive industry's changing approach to specialist vehicles.

Page 147 – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

CAR Magazine's contemporary guide to cars available on the British market.

This section provides an interesting historical reference for collectors researching early-1980s vehicles, specifications and period motoring opinions.

Page 168 – Backpage: Opel Kadett A

A retrospective feature examining the original Opel Kadett A.

The article explores the relationship between the early Kadett and the development of Opel's later small cars.

Additional Editorial Content

The photographed contents page also identifies several regular features:

Page 5 – Agenda

Editorial commentary concerning the magazine and the automotive world.

Page 6 – Sir!

Reader correspondence and opinions.

Page 21 – Frontline

Commentary from the magazine's motoring contributors.

Page 35 – Oracle

News and observations from the automotive industry.

These sections provide an interesting insight into motoring culture, industry developments and automotive journalism in November 1982.

Condition – Important Information

Condition: Pre-owned vintage magazine with visible age-related wear.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they show the actual magazine being offered for sale.

From the supplied photographs, the following condition details are visible:

Front Cover

• Noticeable wear along the left-hand spine, including several small splits, scuffs and areas of surface abrasion.

• The bottom-left corner has visible creasing, folding and paper wear, with a small damaged area at the corner.

• A long, fine crease or surface line is visible running down part of the left side of the cover.

• Additional light creases, handling marks and surface scuffs are present.

• The upper-left corner and top edge show slight bending and age-related wear.

• Some discolouration and general ageing are visible, particularly across the lighter areas of the cover.

• The main Lamborghini Countach cover photograph and headline remain clearly visible.

Spine and Binding

• The spine shows noticeable wear consistent with the magazine's age.

• Several small nicks and areas of paper stress are visible along the spine.

• The photographed internal pages remain attached, although the binding has not been checked page by page.

Internal Pages

• The photographed pages show age-related yellowing and discolouration, particularly around the margins.

• Some light creasing and page-edge wear are visible.

• The photographed colour illustrations and printed text remain clear and readable.

• A small amount of wear is visible around the inner page edges and binding.

• The magazine has clearly been handled and read over its lifetime.

Overall Assessment

A vintage magazine in fair, age-worn condition, with noticeable cover and spine wear.

It is not a pristine or mint-condition example, but the photographed contents remain presentable and readable.

The condition is consistent with an original magazine published more than four decades ago.

The photographs form an important part of the description and should be examined carefully before purchasing.

Collector Appeal

This November 1982 edition may be of particular interest to collectors and enthusiasts of:

• Lamborghini Countach 5.0 Litre.

• Lamborghini Jalpa.

• Classic Italian supercars.

• Lotus Excel.

• Lancia Trevi Volumex.

• Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint Veloce.

• Volkswagen Scirocco.

• Honda Prelude Executive.

• Austin Metro and British Leyland.

• Fiat Spider Europa.

• Abarth and Pininfarina.

• Opel Corsa and Kadett.

• 1980s automotive engineering.

• Vintage motoring road tests.

• Original British motoring magazines.

The combination of Lamborghini Countach and Jalpa coverage makes this a particularly interesting issue for collectors of early-1980s Lamborghini history.

Publication Details

Magazine: CAR Magazine
Issue Date: November 1982
Original UK Cover Price: 90p
Cover Feature: Lamborghini Countach 5.0 Litre
Cover Photograph: Dougie Firth
Editor: Steve Cropley
Publisher: FF Publishing
Language: English
Country: United Kingdom
Format: Original printed motoring magazine
Condition: Pre-owned, with visible age-related wear
SKU: 1569

Important Information – Original Extras

Any free gifts, loose supplements, promotional inserts or additional items that may originally have accompanied this magazine are no longer included.

This listing is for the magazine only, as shown in the photographs.

Any historical competitions, subscription offers or promotional material printed within the magazine should not be considered valid.

Packaging and Delivery

UK Orders: Carefully packaged in a protective hardback envelope to help reduce the risk of bending during transit.

International Orders: Carefully packaged in a cardboard mailing-size box for additional protection during international delivery.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they show the actual magazine being offered for sale.