Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5

Do you replated the original screws in yellow zinc or do you used new ones?

 

Originally they were more silver: Lamborghini Countach #GLA12997 Purchase

 

No i think Joe is right with yellow zinc. Lamborghini used to 98% of their hardware yellow zinc till end of the Diablo production.

 

I think the today's tendency is to overplate them, yellow zinc can be applied in different shades, from lighter to more intense yellow.

 

There are military and commercial specifications for almost all plating processes. They are commonly rated in "salt bath hours" or how long will the coating stand up to a harsh environment.
IMHO most restorers like the deeper gold look which is a thicker coating and I believe incorrect for many applications. I am sure there are blueprints somewhere that call for a certain specification, (because Engineers Rule!)

p.s. I love this thread...check it daily

 

Curious if the black in the NACA can be sanded back to proper finish? I've done that on scale models, using say, a 6000 grit micromesh instead of 12,000. I've attained even but not too glossy finishes that way...

 

My 84 has a similar yellow zinc color. Looks correct.

 

Joe, hopefully you will be surprised how a well a professional paint job actually holds up at Countach speeds. I have enjoyed over 12,000 km since Imperiale totally resprayed my car (and I did not spare the horses) in 2001 and there is no road rash on the bumper what-so-ever. I did respray the rear fender flairs twice. The Countach front tires "shoot" pebbles and debris directly to the bottom of those rear flairs. It is inevitable.
Just have some extra Chianti paint mixed. I much prefer to repaint those flairs every 3,000 miles rather than applying the protective film.
Love to see the progress, keep those pics coming!


OTE=joe sackey;144814188]Shiny front bumper-spoiler deve, makes for another pretty picture.

Every aspect of a Countach is beautiful and can be appreciated in some way, and this process has heightened my appreciation for the car's overall design.

Its almost a shame to think this part will be sand-blasted with road-rash at some point.[/QUOTE]

 

Joe,

Was the car painted with lacquer or urethane?

I think you will find that the modern urethane and water based paints are much more resistant to stone chips than the ancient 1980s factory lacquer. Might be more resilient than you think!


Best,

John

 

i think there is a paint on protective film that can easily be peeled off. its made for single use applications. google 3m spray on paint protection.

 

The Mimran restoration is exciting for many reasons. For years there have been limited Lambo go to guys for restoration which contributed to abnormally low values and high anxiety for owners compared to Ferrari ownership .

Finding shops with a mix of high integrity and understanding of "correct" restorations have been extremely scarce when compared to the numerous Ferrari specialty shops throughout the U.S.

With Joe's understanding of how things should be done with correct finishes etc. coupling with this high integrity shop, I for one am very enthused to see that there is a bit of light in a relatively dark period of Lambo restoration work. We do have some high integrity guys like George Evans out there but like anything else, a little competition will raise the bar on what we should expect as owners. I am excited to see the finished product as I know Joe will go above and beyond to make this one of the best in existence to look at and more importantly drive.

For all those who own a CT , today is a great day because expertise is being passed around to competent and integral shops that will raise values and more importantly take away the anxiety of where to send the most important car in Supercar history when it's time for a restoration or the like. I'll raise a glass to that, thank you.