Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5 | Page 174 | FerrariChat
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Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5

Discussion in 'LamborghiniChat.com' started by joe sackey, Oct 25, 2015.

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Page 174 of 643
  1. Ellagirl

    Ellagirl F1 Rookie

    Aug 20, 2014
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    Nils johnsen
    #4326 Ellagirl, Oct 7, 2016
  2. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
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    Joe Sackey
    #4327 joe sackey, Oct 7, 2016
    Ahh, I know this car! Okay, this was a car done to Middle East specification.
     
  3. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
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    Joe Sackey
    #4328 joe sackey, Oct 7, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  4. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
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    Joe Sackey
    #4329 joe sackey, Oct 7, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Look closer and see if you notice anything unusual... perhaps a Prototype, it features a rear-type Bull Badge!

    Were they planning to use this for the new variant, or was this a one-off?
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  5. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
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    Joe Sackey
    #4330 joe sackey, Oct 7, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  6. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
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    Joe Sackey
    #4331 joe sackey, Oct 8, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Anyone still have the Certificato Di Origine with their Downdraft?

    This one appears to be for HLA1204? dated September the 22nd 1986, proving therefore that the HLA-prefix cars started @ September after the summer break.
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  7. cnpapa24

    cnpapa24 F1 Rookie

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    #4332 cnpapa24, Oct 8, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Yes, Joe I have one for 12831, among other documents. :)
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  8. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

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    #4333 joe sackey, Oct 8, 2016
    That is fantastic, a rarer still unsigned example!
     
  9. Downdraft1

    Downdraft1 Formula Junior

    Nov 13, 2008
    800
    #4334 Downdraft1, Oct 9, 2016
    There were some issues, that even with the advent of the Downdraft, Lamborghini failed to address. The first which comes to mind is the inadequate illumination of the gauges, owners can attest that trying to lock a Countach at night is quite a chore - the keyhole is practically impossible to find, not until the 25th was the clicker introduced, small corner reinforcements underneath the quarter panels avoid the stress cracks in the corners around the front blinker openings, headlight openings, etc. were never introduced Since we are following some complete restorations it would be interesting to hear of other such betterments which never made it to the production department.
     
  10. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

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    #4335 joe sackey, Oct 9, 2016
    Very true Alex.

    The skin reinforcement is a simple application of an "L" bracket on the underside.

    The locking issue was solved on the Mimran Downdraft with the application in the Alpine package of remote door-locking via the use of power door-lock actuators. In fact my restorer was just addressing these last week, and I'll try to get some relevant images to share next week.

    I think the Mimran Countach has many firsts: dashboard configuration (mentioned in the QV owner's manual), door-locking system, all-leather headliner, and lots of other small details I can't think of right now! These details have only served to prolong the restoration process, but they are very cool to note.
     
  11. em42

    em42 Formula 3

    Mar 30, 2008
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    #4336 em42, Oct 9, 2016
    I think we are talking about two different documents:
    - a conformity declaration, which is an official document sometimes needed to import a car in some countries. It states that the vehicule has the same specs as the one which officially passed the ministry of transportation's tests.
    - a certificate of origin, which only states that the car was built by Lamborghini and which appears to me to be less official and more marketing oriented.
     
  12. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

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    #4337 joe sackey, Oct 9, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Alex, Ing. Luigi Marmiroli gave me the original factory template for the production of the this certifocate, all in Italian, it looks different to the Certificato Di Origines as it is for the Mimran (Nuova) period. What is this for?
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  13. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

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    #4338 joe sackey, Oct 9, 2016
    We posted at the same time!

    I re-posted below, and now you have explained its purpose, thank you!
     
  14. em42

    em42 Formula 3

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    #4339 em42, Oct 9, 2016
    You're welcome!
     
  15. cnpapa24

    cnpapa24 F1 Rookie

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    #4340 cnpapa24, Oct 9, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    It was a great day at the Lamborghini Festival in Houston. While my interest has always been in vintage Lamborghinis it is really amazing to see the lineage apparent in the modern examples.

    I was honored that the Downdraft was put front and center!
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  16. cnpapa24

    cnpapa24 F1 Rookie

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    #4341 cnpapa24, Oct 9, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  17. cnpapa24

    cnpapa24 F1 Rookie

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    Chris
    #4342 cnpapa24, Oct 9, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  18. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

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    #4343 joe sackey, Oct 9, 2016
    What a beautiful example, thank you for sharing!
     
  19. cnpapa24

    cnpapa24 F1 Rookie

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    #4344 cnpapa24, Oct 10, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Thanks, Joe. I had a nice time discussing the car with the always gracious Valentino as well. He was happy to see the car out at the Festival after performing the PPI for me last year.
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  20. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
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    #4345 joe sackey, Oct 10, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    He told me that FLA12831 drove "beautifully".
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  21. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

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    Joe Sackey
    #4346 joe sackey, Oct 10, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Another shot of Il Maestro behind the wheel.

    I have to thank him for doing @ a dozen Countach PPIs for me, other cars besides.

    I use him for the simple reason that I cannot think of another person with better experience to translate how a Countach is driving relative to how it should drive.

    He likes it because he gets to be reunited with old friends and review his lifetime's work.

    Look at the twinkle in his eye, the proud joy spread across that face...
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  22. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
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    Joe Sackey
    #4347 joe sackey, Oct 10, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  23. cnpapa24

    cnpapa24 F1 Rookie

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    #4348 cnpapa24, Oct 10, 2016
    Haha! Camera phones everywhere these days. There really isn't an easier car to handle in reverse with proper technique. ;)
     
  24. cnpapa24

    cnpapa24 F1 Rookie

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    #4349 cnpapa24, Oct 10, 2016
    He was right! He truly is an invaluable resource.
     
  25. M. Brandon Motorcars

    M. Brandon Motorcars Formula 3
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    #4350 M. Brandon Motorcars, Oct 10, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Chris' DD is absolutely stunning. I am privileged to have been with him at the Festival, where he also displayed his SE30 Diablo. And it was also a huge treat to follow him driving in his DD to and from the Festival!
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