AN extremely rare Lamborghini motorcycle, based on the Italian manufacturer’s 25th Anniversary Countach, went to auction yesterday.

Unfortunately, as was the case when it was first launched, the 1987 Lamborghini Design 90 proved unpopular, and the hammer failed to fall.

With a starting price of £42,500, lot 26 was estimated to fetch between £85,000 and £90,000 in H&H Classic’s National Motorcycle Museum Auction but remained unsold as the auction closed.

It’s a shame really, because it’s one of just six bikes born of a collaboration between Lamborghini and French motorcycle manufacturer Boxer. They were modelled off the 25th Anniversary Lamborghini Countach, with their streamlined fibreglass body designed to resemble the 1988 V12 supercar.

However, they were so unsought after even when first launched that a further 19 planned models were cancelled.

The 997cc bike that went to auction yesterday was number 2 of the extremely limited production run, boasting the frame number ‘BOXERL002’. With only 7,200kms (4,474miles) on the clocks, one owner from new and no use over the past 10 years, its condition was no doubt excellent.

Unfortunately, that failed to persuade buyers to invest, and the red rocket remained unsold.