Matchbox 27e; Lamborghini Countach

There are 21 versions of this car listed in Ramsay's guide and Ramsay's are usually conservative next to the really serious Matchbox collector websites who can find minute differences between models invisible to the ordinary collector. Suffice to say there are lots of variations, few of which are particularly rare or valuable, although one of those below did very well for me. The Lamborghini Countach was introduced in 1973 and remained in the range as 27e until 1981.

The Countach re-appeared after the Matchbox brand changed hands post insolvency in 1982 and had a long life in the new ownership with some changes of model number. The post Lesney version is a new casting. It has acquired side air scoops and glazed headlamps as well as a rear spoiler, and lost the opening engine cover. The shape of the rear wheel arch also changed from the early LP400 style to the later, more rounded version as seen on the LP500S. I've shown all that I have found below.

Paint is yellow or orange on the Lesney releases. The other variations are to the window colour, interior colour, base colour or tampo design. The early releases are orange or yellow with a racing number 3. From 1975 the Streaker design was introduced with black and green blocking and racing number 8.

Of the listed variations the ones to look for are the pre-Streaker orange with racing number 3, yellow with purple windows or a plated interior with red windows, the example below sold for well over £100.