Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5

The reference to Valentino as "Il Maestro" is entirely coined by me, a moniker of affection for my friend, one that speaks only to his driving skills behind the wheel of a Countach.

Nothing more, or less.

Since he has driven literally thousands of Countachs, I don't know anyone anywhere who can test-drive a Countach and speak to its health better than this man, so, in my book, he is Il Maestro.

What his beliefs & feelings are about his past employers, really has nothing to do with the Countach Downdraft thread, and I'll note that VB is only featured here when driving a DD.

Lets keep this thread on-topic, please.

Meanwhile I feel sure VB's characterizations of FL have been nothing more than an attempt at 'authentic' review, after all, the man was not without flaws, as is true of everyone.

 

Thank you.

If you know the real history between VB and FL (and I do), I can tell you that a not inconsiderable amount of affection existed between the two of them.

Back to the Downdraft.
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Thank you very much or your kind words Ben.

You get it, and I appreciate that.

 

Stupendous!

 

Stephen, thank you for your sentiments, I appreciate them, especially because they are true.

 

Thank you Alex. By the time I purchased my first DD 28 years ago, I noticed even back then that in the car hobby, you have givers who go above & beyond, takers who give nothing, and everywhere in-between. I chose where I wanted to be, have always been at that place, and always will, I hope. I say, pick where you want to be, and be happy.

 

Thank you as always John.

I can't wait till your latest acquisition arrives!

 

Ticino, what a lovely part of the world to own a Countach.

Pics embedded.
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Thank you Mark.

Something else I uncovered recently is the identity of a car Ive been trying to establish.

The Puerto Rico Downdraft

I finally found out about the DD I knew to be the only one on the Island of Puerto Rico is 1985 FLA12811, or ZA9C005A0FLA12811 in full.

It was imported as a new car via Joe Nastasi to a Puerto Rican industrialist and delivered to San Juan.

In fact, he used it as a daily driver (!) to visit his various food warehouses around the island.

Imagine being passed by a howling red rocket on one of Puerto Rico's narrow roads!

Anyway, in recent years the car has been acquired & refurbished by Puerto Rican Jaguar dealer and serial car-collector Jaime Del Valle and it exists in his 40-plus car collection.

Here below it is displayed at Amelia Island recently
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Another image of the Puerto Rico DD
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1986 DD originally delivered to the Middle East sold last year by Albion Motorcars
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UK-registered 88.5 DD featured earlier in the thread
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There is a Blu Acapulco DD that exists in Buenos Aires Argentina, owned by the Baci family there I think. I'm not sure if they are the original owners.

It has an unusual white & dark blue interior, with dark blue dashboard
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A pair of 1985 Downdrafts in Scotland, Bianco/Bianco & Rosso Siviglia/Nero
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Stephen Ross' Rosso Granada (?) DD in Canada, a beautiful color
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Well-known UK-registered RHD Nero Tenebre/Nero (with red piping) DD in the UK Midlands
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