Countach, the ultimate supercar

So i guess your VIN is GLA12056 or GLA12856. Yes, same opinion, they meant Champagne.

 

Right! I double-checked my files and indeed got some confusion. Sorry!
The number on the panel is 100% sure the last digits of the VIN. I've seen number 112 drawn like this on a panel of Countach #1120112.

Also, while being completed, all cars had a paper taped on them with the VIN, order number and client name. But here, I must admit SPANPAGNE could really mean CHAMPAGNE!

 

In fact the Countach is the exception. The other Bertone body/chassis units used the order/body number for tracking...

 

Or even written directly onto the fibreglas:
http://www.countach.ch/Dashboard/P1050091.JPG
http://www.countach.ch/MyQV/gla12997_129.jpg

 

Raymond, the Jalpa is also a potential exception. If you have any relevant Jalpa data I would appreciate it...

 

Very interesting, i unterstand.

i found the red numbers of some other interior parts too.

 

The interior parts of my former FLA12203 had scotch tape with handwritten 193 on it, unfortunately I didn't take Pictures.

 

Btw I can now work out the vin of your 12X56 from the interior colour alone....

 

Many thanks. No picture needed! That is the body number so it appears the Jalpa is not an exception in this respect after all...

 

Btw the difference of 10 between the last 3 digits of the vin and the body number of your ex 12203 is a coincidence...

 

That's interesting. On the photos in the magazine (1985) the mirrors are black and the wheels silver. But in 1986 the mirrors (and I guess the wheels also) are painted in white. This means the car was NOT delivered in triple white!

In 2007 it had about 7,000km and it was in a poor condition; especially the underside. In 2008 it had 9,000km and still in poor condition. Now in 2018 it has 14,000km and looks like new. I bet it is nomore in an "untouched" condition.

 

Great first post and great user name!

 

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@ Joe Sackey - Thank you for the informations, sir.

FLA12808 was never unknown to me. The 1985 'Rosberg'-Countach is on my radar since I've seen that car in a German magazine in 1985; when I was 17yrs young.

I've seen it again (and in real) in about 2007 when it was for sale in South France. As far I can remember, it has run about 7,000km. I've inspected that car in person and I've got disappointed because of its poor condition. Especially the underside has looked like 70,000km; but never like just 7,000km. The sales price was - if I remember right - about 155,000 Euro. At that time the market value (in europe) of a CT DD in best condition was about 115k to 125k Euro. I haven't bought the Rosberg Countach, because at that time I've got an offer for a Diablo GT for just 195,000 Euro.

But sometimes life isn't fair. - When I've decided for the Diablo GT, I came 2 days too late. The GT was no more available. Damn! And even the Countach was "sold". At least that's what the dealer in South France has told me on phone, when I was back Germany.

About 1 year later, the Rosberg Countach was on the market again. Now with 9,000km, and still in a not so good shape. Even some tender, love and care wouldn't be enough. There were many (!) things to fix. And the price was - if I remember right - about 175,000 Euro. At that time the Price/Condition was not acceptable.

Now FLA12808 is back on the market since about 2 years. First offered for 650,000 Euro (end of 2016/beginning of 2017). Then offered for 920,000 Euro (Dec.2017). Now reduced 840,000 Euro (Sept.2018). With about 14,000km and a detailed underside, but still in the need of a lot TLC.

The plaque on the dashboard says "special ordered"; it doesn't say "special built". And therefore (back in 2007) I've asked the dealer what's so "special"? He's told me about blue printed engine and shorter gear ratio. Sounds interesting. So, I've asked for proofs or certifications or confirmations or any kind of paperwork from factory? - Nope. At least in 2007 nobody was able to give me a written proof; just a hearsay.

Of course Rosberg and Valentino are buddies, and of course Valentino can remember on Rosberg's Countach QV DD. And of course in the production run they've put in a good running engine what delivers the promised horse power. But a "blue printed" engine special built for Keke Rosberg? Maybe. Possible. But IMHO that myth deserves a written document/proof from the factory; not just a statement from a sales oriented dealer, what will be spread over the internet as a "fact".

In 1985/86 many F1 driver have owned a Countach QV. That's well known. And that fact has a simple reason: They all have got a big discount, because of promotion and public relation. That discount (and some other goodies like service for free) has come directly from the factory. These VIPs were a simple marketing tool in 1985 to distract potential buyers from the Ferrari testarossa.

(sorry for my poor english; I'm german)

 

The advertisment from 2008

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Some pages ago there was the question about "rear fog light".

In 1985 (+/-) the rear fog light was either a "can have" or a "must have" depending on the law of the destination of the first delivery.

For example in Germany the law was changed at 01 of January 1991. Since that day in Germany a rear fog light is a "must have". But before that day it was a "can have". And therefore before 1991 some owners have ordered with rear fog light, others have ordered without rear fog light.

Keke Rosberg's FLA12808 was delivered with yellow headlights and thus obviously a "french" configuration. As far as I know, in France the rear fog lamp in 1985 was not an obligation by law, but only an option. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

At about 1986/87 a rear fog light (for a Countach) has become a standard equipment; no longer an option.

 

Please forgive me if I ask questions what are already answered in one of the 1,000 pages before. I'm still busy reading, and I hope till Xmas it will be done.

My question: Most people think the Countach version 1988 1/2 is the one with the side squirts in the 25th style and with the upgraded A/C unit. But we know that can't be 100% correct, because there are some Countach "1988 1/2" without the side squirts, and even some Countach with the upgraded A/C unit built before (!) 1988.

a) When exactly was the new A/C unit (the one from the 25th Anniversary and early Diablos) introduced and/or available?

b) How many "1988 1/2" were built WITHOUT the side squirts?

 

Been seeing this commercial lately. Nice to see the Countach can still be lusted after by ad exec’s.....

https://www.ispot.tv/ad/drRS/fubotv-dont-compromise-sports-car

Mike

 

Nice find!

 

Thank you very much for that advice, sir, but I already knew that. That's why I've written ...

I know the differences.

My conclusion has come from the installed A/C unit in combination with the visible VIN. Oh, and of course both facts in combination with a nice talk with the owner. - I did that 2 times in the past 30 years. Both owners have told me it was not a later conversion. Both owners have told me these cars have come direct from the factory w/o side skirts, because of their "special" customer's order. My conclusion: There are at least minimum two "Countach 88.5" in existence without these side skirts.

Before you will ask me: Sadly after a timeframe of 3 decades I cannot remember their VINs. All I can remember is one was painted in black, the other was - if I remember right - painted in red.

Both were happened when there were Lamborghini Club meetings in Germany. I've seen the black one and talked to the owner at about 1989/1990. And I've seen the red one and talked to the owner at about 1999/2000.

I just would like to know how many CT 88.5 "without side skirts" - but with the upgraded A/C control unit - were built in total?