If you grew up watching motorsport in the ’80s and ’90s, you’ll remember the Camel livery. That bright yellow paint scheme with the iconic cigarette branding showed up everywhere, from IMSA GT cars to rally raids, and most memorably, Formula 1. Tobacco magnate R.J. Reynolds started sponsoring race cars in 1970 with the Camel GT series, backing everything from Datsun 260Zs to Porsche 935s. By 1987, Team Lotus adopted the full yellow treatment for their F1 cars, running it through 1990 on what would be their final machine under original ownership: the Lamborghini V12-powered Type 102. Tobacco advertising bans eventually killed off these liveries by the late ’90s, but they left behind one of motorsport’s most recognizable color schemes.
Now Furlonger Cars is offering a matching pair of Lamborghinis that bring that era back with a 1990 Type 102 F1 car and a 1985 Countach 5000 QV, both wearing that unmistakable Camel yellow.
When Lamborghini Went Racing (Sort Of)
The Type 102 is a reminder of a fascinating moment in F1 history when Chrysler-owned Lamborghini decided to flex its V12 expertise on the Grand Prix circuit. As turbochargers got phased out for the 1990 season, Sant’Agata saw an opening to bring what they knew best — naturally aspirated V12s — to the track. The result was a 3.5-liter screamer pushing 640hp, the only V12 to ever power a Lotus F1 car.
Chassis #2 competed in six races during 1990 with Derek Warwick, Martin Donnelly, and Johnny Herbert behind the wheel. The car’s best result was an eighth-place finish at Imola, and while it never reached the podium across 37 total races through three seasons, it still had one heck of a run.
After retiring from competition, this chassis sat properly stored for decades before Lamborghini Polo Storico gave it a complete mechanical restoration. It’s now track-ready and waiting for historic racing events, with Monaco Historique potentially opening a grid for early ’90s cars in 2028. The Furlonger team says they can handle prep and trackside support, which removes most of the headaches that typically come with vintage F1 ownership.
The Perfect Road Companion
Furlonger paired the Type 102 with the only right-hand-drive Countach 5000 QV ever painted in Giallo from the factory. This 1985 example (chassis FLA12848) spent nearly three decades with one owner before Furlonger acquired it and performed a comprehensive mechanical recommissioning along with a full repaint in that original yellow. To complete the theme, they added matching Camel decals and black wheels — though everything’s reversible if you prefer factory spec, with the original wheels included.
The Countach posted a 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds and hit 179 mph when Autocar tested it back in 1987, which still feels pretty fast today. It boasts a Naturale leather interior and optional rear wing.
Two Sides of the Same Coin
Together, these cars embody the analog performance machines from a bygone era. One’s built for the track, the other for the open road, but both share that glorious Lamborghini V12 engine. The Type 102 even got its Hollywood moment in last year’s Best Picture-nominated F1 movie, appearing in the opening scene with Brad Pitt behind the wheel.
Spec Sheet
Model: 1990 Lamborghini-Lotus Type 102
Chassis Number: #2
Engine: Lamborghini 3512 3.5L V12, naturally aspirated
Power: 640 hp
Transmission: Manual
Drivers: Derek Warwick, Martin Donnelly, Johnny Herbert
Race History: 6 Grand Prix starts in 1990 season, 37 total races across 3 seasons
Best Result: 8th place at Imola GP
Restoration: Complete mechanical restoration by Lamborghini Polo Storico
Livery: Giallo Camel yellow with period-correct sponsorship decals
Model: 1985 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV Spec Sheet
Chassis Number: FLA12848
Engine: 5.2L V12, naturally aspirated
Power: 455 hp
0-60 mph: 4.9 seconds
Top Speed: 179 mph
Transmission: Manual
Exterior: Giallo (only RHD example painted Giallo from factory)
Interior: Naturale leather
Options: Rear wing, Camel livery decals (reversible), black wheels
Ownership: Single owner from 1995 until Furlonger acquisition
Pricing & Availability
The Camel Collection is available now through Furlonger Cars at POA (price on application), with their European partner Egon Zweimüller also handling inquiries.
Recap
Furlonger’s The Camel Collection Lamborghini Countach & Lotus Type 102
Furlonger Cars is selling a perfectly matched pair of V12 Lamborghinis — a 1990 Lotus Type 102 F1 car (the only Lotus ever powered by a V12) and a 1985 Countach 5000 QV — both wearing the iconic yellow Camel racing livery from one of motorsport’s most memorable eras.
