Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5

Thanks Ivor, any lead is worth a look, and is appreciated.

Maseratis & Ferraris both used several forms of Bordeaux.

In our case, we happen to have areas of perfectly-preserved paint which we are having matched in PPG paint by a specialist, so we hope to have a true rendition of the original color.

Bear in mind a couple of things:

Firstly, the paint on 12997 was a custom color not used on any other Countach per Valentino's recollection, and so I doubt you can find an existing coded color that is a perfect match.

Secondly, Mimran's Nuova Lamborghini SpA was somewhat of a major client of PPG Italver in Milan, and therefore, the boss could literally have any color he dreamed up. I bet the way it went down was he suggested he wanted something in that hue, and they mixed up some paint and sent it over to Sant Agata. Of course I'm assuming this is what happened, but, the only way for me to be sure about this, or why this color was chosen, is to ask the man himself.

One thing I do know is that, amongst his collection of cars, there were many sports cars in elegant metallic colors, silvers, dark blues, blacks, etc. For example, Patrick Mimran also owned this 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Boano 0547 below, and as you can see it had an elegant silver roof and metallic Bordeaux/Claret/Burgundy/Maroon paint (I'm not sure of the true name). Perhaps he liked this hue.

As you know very well, the paint-names & codes of Italian sports cars of the 60s/70s/80s are not an exact science (!) but the topic is probably book-worthy by itself!
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Great idea, I have heard of this solution.

 

FWIW, this 1986 magazine documents that FLA12878 had color-coded mirrors when new
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Luxembourg (?) - registered QV 5000, chassis number unknown to me
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Thanks Ivor.

 

Basically, its this Vitaloni unit
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

It took me a while to find one to complete the lighting package for the car!
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I think you may find the car moving around at speed is the suspension. The difference in handling between a Countach that has had the suspension completely overhauled & set up properly and another that needs sorting is a night-and-day handling experience! Even from a safety POV, you want the suspension spot-on if you drive fast.

Bravo on trying the PAS system, but I always thought that you'd lose the car's sharp go-kart 'feel' at speed. Perhaps I'm different, but when I drive a Countach, I actually want to work for my pleasure, if that makes sense. I actually think you'll be more satisfied with the 'Armstrong' power steering system!

Lastly, in a Countach, you can never have too many pops and bangs!

 

Mike's a good guy but he does love to finish engine bits & pieces in non-original specs. I remember the days when you could tell if Mike had worked upon a UK Countach - it would probably have red cam-covers! In those days the cars were worth nothing, so, who cared? These days, they are very valuable, so, if it were my car I'd ask him to refinish the Y-pipe in satin black, this way you never have to change it back, besides, then you'll have the satisfaction of knowing its right.

 

Harry, just my humble opinion, but given your commendable attention-to-detail to your car's suspension, it sounds like the issue is the power steering you added. The Pirellis wouldn't cause high-speed instability, they are rated for much higher than 130.

BTW some fabulous images of you car at the London show just came up. The sign on the wall says "Lamborghini Countach", for those who don't know!
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Caption this one cold-start & team-work, this one took some doing, and as he backs it off, the DS front wheel barely makes the ramp!

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4fKDkc3wIs[/ame]

 

To add to the earlier posts, with a bit more time available, I wanted to humbly share my experiences with suspension issues having owned a number of Countachs.

There are a lot of suspension components to worry about, but, its worth checking all the bushings first, they're easier & cheaper to replace than the heim-joint suspension pieces.

The tie-rod ends are unique to this car, some built with angled/offset ends, and I have seen cars that have had these incorrectly replaced that drive poorly.

Basically, I estimate from personal experience that at least a third (or more) of all Countachs have suspension issues that need addressing.

I've even driven cars fresh out of a "restoration" with terrible handling because the suspension wasn't sorted fully!

I think the guys in Europe who actually do drive their cars in inclement weather need to check their suspension more frequently, as the rod-ends have no rubber-boot protection, and with road debris & zero lubrication, their life-cycle will be relatively short compared to cars used in different conditions, unless they are cleaned and lubricated every time they are driven a considerable distance in the rain - impossible to ask, of course.

The heim-joint suspension can give a well-sorted Countach incredible precision (go-kart) handling if it is spot-on, its an area that many overlook, but its a beautiful thing if its working the way it should.

One man I know who can simply take a car for a drive and tell you exactly what's going in with the suspension simply on the basis of said drive is Valentino, which is exactly why I have him help me when looking at Countachs.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Bianco/Bianco DD @ Automotoretrò in Italy
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

FLA12878
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

It is always great to hear Valentino is appreciated, as he truly is an asset to the community!

He tells me nothing gives him greater pleasure than reuniting with cars he said goodbye to at Sant Agata.

Since you mention it, his contact is no secret as he is a public figure, and anyone can connect with him via https://www.facebook.com/Valentino-Balboni-45340848075/ or more directly via [email protected]

I have referred dozens of people to him over the years. He is available to us all, to anyone who has a Lamborghini or who simply needs his advice.

Indeed, he is very kind with his time and I agree he is fair with his costs, and I believe we are lucky to be able to even have access to the experience he has, delivered in that cool, calm & collected way.

Since you bring it up, please share with us what projects you have in the works with him? This way the community learns what services he can provide.

For my part I retain his services as part of our due-diligence process on cars we are looking at for clients, and in that regard Ive had the good fortune to be able to send him to South Africa, Sweden, Italy, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the United Arab Emirates, so far. Of course, I'd like him to test drive the car we are restoring in the USA.

A few years ago I asked myself the question: "who's driven a couple thousand Countachs?" and that's how I began working with him. He is one of the easiest people to work with in the car world. To know him and to work with him is to be connected with Lamborghini history, and we are very blessed to be able to do so.

A more recent portrait of the man. I think he's saying: "No problem"
Image Unavailable, Please Login