In Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Wolf of Wall Street,’ the iconic Lamborghini Countach was the vehicle that got everyone talking. We all remember Jordan Belfort (Portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio) stumbling into his vintage supercar, and proceeding to drive home “unscathed”, only to realise after he made it home that he’d completely trashed the car.
Now, the crashed Countach, a symbol of Belfort’s extravagant lifestyle in the movie, is poised to make waves at the Bonham’s auction in Abu Dhabi. Despite the car’s un-drivable state, it’s creating a buzz as it could potentially fetch a jaw-dropping US $2 million. A price that joins the high rollers of car auctions.
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The Wolf of Wall Streets Lamborghini: Jordan Belfort x Quaaludes
If you haven’t immersed yourself in the wild ride of ‘The Wolf of Wall Street,’ do yourself a favour, head over to Netflix, and settle in for a few hours. In a comical yet dramatic sequence, Leonardo DiCaprio, portraying the disgraced real-life financier, embarks on a tipsy journey to enter the luxurious Lambo after a night at the country club. The result? A wrecked Countach reappears later in the film, solidifying its role as a symbol of excess. The scene exposes Belfort’s warped view, thinking he got home untouched, however, the appearance of the vehicle says otherwise…
“In the thrilling cinematic rendering, the supercar takes center stage alongside none other than Leonardo DiCaprio.”
Trashing the Car on Set
The Lamborghini was used in daring stunt sequences, including driving with its scissor doors wide open, colliding with other vehicles and hitting various objects like a sign and a mailbox.
Remarkably, the car sustained minimal damage during these stunts, so to achieve a more convincingly wrecked appearance, director Scorsese instructed the crew to use an additional car and a flatbed truck to cause further damage to the car.
The upcoming auction will showcase the Countach, known as the “hero car,” a 25th-anniversary model crafted in 1989. It boasts a mesmerising Bianco Polo exterior, a powerful 5.2-liter V-12 engine under the hood, and a lavish Bianco leather interior. It will go under the hammer during the On the Grid auction event on November 25, just before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
A Tale of Two Countachs
As in many films, more than one car was used, and both will have their spotlight at auction within a fortnight of each other. The crashed 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary, with its unique backstory, will be auctioned in Abu Dhabi on November 24. Interestingly, its cosmetically straighter sibling, will follow suit on December 8 in New York. Both vehicles are expected to fetch multiple 7 figures, and it will be interesting to see who snatches them up.
As we just mentioned, there was a Hero Car, showcased on screen before its dramatic encounter with Jordan Belfort high on Quaaludes, and a Backup Car, spared from the wreck. While the surviving Countach had its moment in the auction spotlight earlier this year, the fate of the destroyed Hero Car has remained a mystery until now.
In an exclusive auction hosted by Bonhams, the iconic Lamborghini takes centre stage in a series of captivating photos. The severity of the damage inflicted upon the Countach in the film becomes clearer, thanks to these images. Director Martin Scorsese, in pursuit of authenticity, subjected the poor car to various methods of destruction. As recounted by the owner of the surviving car, Scorsese’s quest for realism led to additional collisions with other objects to achieve a convincingly battered appearance.
A Cinematic Masterpiece
The scene featuring the Countach is undoubtedly one of the most iconic in the entire movie. Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, Jordan Belfort, attempts a treacherous journey back home while under the full influence of Quaaludes. The sequence unfolds with DiCaprio crawling to the Lamborghini, struggling to get into the driver’s seat, miraculously gearing up, and embarking on a one-mile journey that ends in the complete destruction of the car.
Despite its wrecked state, the car has been impeccably preserved since the film’s completion. Every dent and scratch bears the mark of Scorsese’s meticulous crew, rendering it one of the most iconic movie cars of all time. The vehicle, now up for auction, comes not only with its cinematic history but also a collection of memorabilia from the film. This includes a director’s chair and clapboard signed by DiCaprio, Scorsese, and Margot Robbie, along with a crew sweater and a Jordan Belfort costume.
Notably, no Quaaludes are included in the package.
As the Bonhams auction unfolds, enthusiasts and collectors have the unique opportunity to own a piece of cinematic history—a Lamborghini Countach that played a pivotal role in creating one of the most memorable scenes in The Wolf of Wall Street. The auction doesn’t just offer a smashed-up Lambo; it presents a legendary artifact, meticulously preserved in its as-seen condition, ready to embark on a new chapter in the hands of a fortunate buyer.
What do you think the buyer will do with the car?