Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5

Nope Downdraft. Odd bumpers kinda hybrid. Monterey DD Us 2016 ,small markers Sweden had odd rules. But all carbureted. Interesting

 

Ahh, I know this car! Okay, this was a car done to Middle East specification.

 

July 1985, Sport Auto introduces the Downdraft, anyone notice anything odd about the car?
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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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GT Collector magazine featuring the 88.5 Downdraft that has the most miles (@ 180,000 km) known to us!
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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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Yes, Joe I have one for 12831, among other documents.
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That is fantastic, a rarer still unsigned example!

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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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We posted at the same time!

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

 

You're welcome!

 

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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There was some great company as well.
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..
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What a beautiful example, thank you for sharing!

 

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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He told me that FLA12831 drove "beautifully".
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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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Yeah Baby!!
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Haha! Camera phones everywhere these days. There really isn't an easier car to handle in reverse with proper technique.

 

He was right! He truly is an invaluable resource.

 

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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