Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5

Previously, in response to my post about this Blu Acapulco Downdraft @ the Le Mans Classic, you stated that it was HLA12150 https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/posts/145259546/ but if it is really HLA12093, we can make the correction, we are here to learn.

Can anyone independently corroborate?

I really have no idea as I wasn't party to the discovery or sale.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, its a beautiful day in Southern California

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A brand new early production Downdraft collected @ Sant Agata in April 1985.

Imagine the thrill of driving out of the factory gates with a new Countach...

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Yes, absolutely.

I personally saw cars unloaded off the truck @ Portman Lamborghini's West London Service Center delivered direct from Italy with (big) wings affixed, in 1987 & 1988. Also, a friend and a couple of acquaintances travelled down to Sant Agata to collect their brand new Countachs, wings already in place at the point of collection as arranged by Ubaldo Sgarzi based on the car's order.

However, the Countach wing in all it's iterations was never Homologated with the Italian transportation authority in Lamborghini's filing (OM 14753/21788), so strictly speaking it was not supposed to be mounted inside the factory, hence it's unofficial status as far as Nuova Automobili Lamborghini SpA was concerned.

This begs the question where the wings were actually affixed, and depending on who you speak to, you get answers ranging from a workshop on Via Modena, to the factory courtyard, to inside the factory when government inspection authorities weren't looking. Certainly the images of freshly-completed cars (below) suggests that they were not actually affixed on the assembly line itself.

You already know that factory workers including Valentino Balboni regarded the wing with much rolling of the eyes because it doesn't do anything besides make the car heavier and slow it down. That said, it does add a striking visual dimension for some, so it's a hugely popular item. As an amateur Countach-watcher since the production days, I think there might be more wings on cars today than left the factory.

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Since gold was being discussed this morning in the other thread, I caught a flash of it in good light late this afternoon, honestly, every time I look it appears a different hue as it's affected by whatever surrounding color it is reflecting, this time its a white garage wall so it appears to be close to how I see it in real life

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Correct, RAL1036 has too much red in it for me, I discussed this early in the Gold Wheels thread, I like the lighter hue with a more silver tint finished in satin, not gloss.

 

Glad you cleared that up, so let's assume the well-known enthusiast Blu Acapulco Downdraft is HLA12093.

Interesting interior in the Giallo HLA12150, frankly I don't know how people bring themselves to abuse these cars, although everything done here appears to be easily reversible and was perhaps done many years ago when the cars were worth a lot less.

 

So I am reading elsewhere that F1 driver Gerhard Berger's Downdraft was (HLA)12818, although I'm not sure that's correct as I'm wondering if this number is based on his 25th Anniversario he replaced this car with. Can anyone independently confirm?

NB - Image of original car taken when it was fairly new, taking account of slight fade due to the age of the image, this one supports the notion that the wheels were lighter gold

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That's what I'm fortunate to say every day, here's one for you from today, don't analyze the gold wheels too much, they are sooty from another drive and are reflecting off the dark charcoal industrial carpet we use

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Thank you, I thought the number was related to his 25th.

Thanks for the info.

 

Jude A mentions he just got a video of his Downdraft FLA12824's breathed-upon engine from the guys at Competizione & Sportscars, an eye-watering 479 bhp and a stump-pulling 404 lb/ft torque at 5500 rpm.

This low-res pic is an excerpt from the video which I havent figured out how to post yet. Somebody who knows much more than I do says you can see the glorious 'fuel standoff' above the carbs, velocity stacks were created to contain this standoff so airflow across the top of the carburetor does not blow it away causing a lean condition, this is exactly the reason the factory designed an air cleaner for the Downdraft.

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Downdraft seen at Auto & Moto D'Epoca, Padova 2013, check out the weave in the composite materials front hood.

I believe this car now has gold wheels

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JLA12307 sandwiched between a pair of LP500S, the dark blue one without front fender indicators.

There appears to be a trend towards eliminating these items when a Countach has been re-painted

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HLA12065 recently

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Thank you Greg

Definitely not!