Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5

Thank you for clarifying, Joe!

-Ian

 

fwiw, standing there last Sunday looking at the 4 red cars side by side, I made a note that Harry's car looks a slightly deeper, richer shade of red than the others. Hasn't come out on the photos quite so obviously, but it's very clear close up. Not the same.

 

Perhaps cleaner?

Seriously, a number of months ago Harry posted that his car had a refresh with paintwork involved, but I'm not sure it was the whole car (below).

That said, I have always wondered if the factory used more than one basic shade of red.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

In this video at 3:12 is a Rosso Mars Countach DD. There's not enough depth in the video IMO to truly tell that it's Rosso Mars, but prior to watching the video I had no idea that any CT's were manufactured with that color code.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jtiM6gyPTo[/ame]

 

Rosso Mars?

Where are you getting that from?

I believe that Rosso Mars is a contemporary color that came to be used by Lamborghini some 20 years after Countach production ended!

The car in question is very well known to me as it was special-ordered by a serial Countach owner Gerald Carroll, and I happened to be there the day it arrived in the UK at Portman's Lamborghini London center. In fact, it arrived with 2 other red Downdrafts http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/144546453-post2020.html and my recollection was that it was basic Rosso Siviglia.

FWIW it is ZA9C005A0JLA12397 first UK-registered September the 7th 1988

I don't think this pristine car has been repainted and perhaps what you are looking at is the lighting effect in the warehouse it is stored in, and the difference to the Ferrari FXX its next to?

Pictures & videos can be very misleading, I think you have to see cars side-by-side in the clear daylight to determine the color, as JB did.

 

We paint. A lot. Trying to match the original base/ clear ppg with todays water based formulas( same paint code) often comes out lots clearer and deeper/ chrisper in the water based version. Europe to my knowledge. Uses water based formulas by law, if Harry had his car repainted , it most likely looks deeper clearer and chridper than thr old originsl base/ clear formula

 

I dug up this 1989 image of JLA12397 replete with polished wheels, imaged in front of Buckingham Palace in London!

At this point, it's UK-registered F 818 EPW plates had been changed to SPY 60.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

One from a few years ago of the Bianco/Bianco GLA12923
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

My apologies. I was going off of the son in the video at 3:20 who says "Rosso Mars". It's very possible he could be mistaken, but he goes on to say more were made. I was thinking the same as you. I never heard of it until the Huracan.

 

I guess you mean @ Le Mans Classic...

 

It was originally registered SPY60 and only became F818EPW later. SPY60 then went on to the exNigel Mansell Ferrari F40 #80020. Original owner was Gerald Carroll, who apparently had an LP4000, 5000S, 88.5 then Anniversary.

 

The color "Rossa Mars" did come on the LP570-4 STS Gallardos. 1 of only 3 colors offered on the STS cars.

 

Joe what was the earliest production Downdraft made? Where did the vins actually start?

 

FWIW, it was at Chantilly as well, my mistake as regards this particular image.

 

No worries.

Rosso Mars is wrong.

 

Thanks Robert for the clarification.

I do remember he did not keep the Downdraft long, and I bet he wishes he still has it!

 

John, the earliest cars were made in the spring of 1985.

The very earliest 1985 car that I have dealt with is the famed ex-Al Copeland FLA12835 which I personally believe is the earliest car in the USA at the moment.

It is now owned by a gentleman FChatter who I can only describe as a true car connoisseur.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

John, they have arrived and are just minty, perfect!

Thank you so much, you saved the day.

Tell me what I owe you.

Best,

 

We have of course left the Swiss specification light arrangement in situ.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Joe-

My DD FLA12799 would be of an earlier production. I been told it was imported here when new by the WI former owner. Currently 2635 KM on the car. I posted these pics of the small stickers in the past on the rear view mirror as well as on both door mirrors, but no one commented on them. Do you know what they represent? "C" on the rear view mirror. "D" on the drivers side mirror. "C" on the passenger side mirror.

Geno

Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

That's the earliest production Downdraft chassis number Ive seen, period.

Barry Robinson's car was FLA12803 and F1 World Champion Keke Rosberg's Downdraft was FLA12808. Both were well-connected with the factory and received early cars.

As regards the stickers, I'm not sure what they mean and would only be guessing that "C" stands for Concavo (concave) or Convesso (convex)? No idea what "D" stands for.

 

I'm surprised I didn't see it there then. I did see this one, though.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

For JOE
Incredible French Countach mileage.....
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Wow

That is truly excellent!

I'm not where I can check but I believe this is JLA12307?

 

Checking back, I think I am wrong, the French-registered (1928 YD 78) in Blu Acapulco was at the Chantilly Arts et Elégance 2015!

See below.

FWIW, my only reason for commenting on it was because of the beautiful white badges.

The car you have shown (LP500S) is in a non-original dark-metallic blue. Curiously, the front fender indicator lights have been deleted.
Image Unavailable, Please Login