Yes, it´s 1:18 and I had to wait a long time ´til it was delivered in these days ;o)
The wreck of the LP500 returned to the factory after the crash-test, and during the dark age of the factory in the late 1970s someone took it away on a trailer. I want to believe it will resurface someday.
But of course! This situation brings to mind that famed line uttered by Chicolini in the 1933 classic 'Duck Soup' wherein he asks the immortal question: "Well, who you gonna believe, me or your own eyes?" BTW, in that scene Chico was really dressed to impose Groucho, who was in turn playing Rufus T Firefly, and that is indisputable point is, all is not always what it seems to be. No worries, none of this is really important, feel the love. You are right about Europe, Japan too, although I'd be very careful buying a car from the latter. In recent years, I have found that in the Supercar world there has been an undeniable surge in interest & desire for special-livery cars finished by the factory in unique colors. They do bring a premium, although, I don't think you can ascribe a set formula for what this is, rather, you have to take it on a car-by-car basis. History, condition, mechanicals, original specification etc will always play a big part. Also, it depends on how the owner of that car in consideration feels. Accepting that over the past 30 years it has been established that the vast majority of Downdrafts were painted in PPG 2.464.022 Rosso Siviglia (Red), PPG 2.461.025 Bianco Polo Park (White), and PPG 2.467.026 Nero Tenebre (Black), colors such as PPG 2.463.924 Blu Acapulco Metalizzato (Dark blue metallic) and PPG 2.463.739 Blu Tahiti Metallizzato (Medium blue metallic) are rarely seen and much-loved, although they are in in fact standard colors on the official color-chart. That said, we know of a fair number of cars in those colors, so they are out there. I have only ever seen just one car in PPG 2.463.012 Canna Di Fucille (Dark grey metallic), although two are said to exist. As for PPG 2.463.729 Argento Luna Metallizzato (Silver), I've never seen one, although I'm aware that multiple cars were painted in that color. Whereas one might be lucky to buy a special-livery car for a standard number with no premium at all, recently, I tried to buy another (superb) Downdraft in a special color, the discussion started in the seven figures and went up. I didn't succeed. Caption these images Countach Blues, Acapulco & Tahiti, I think they suit the Countach's aggressive beauty Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I would't wait too long. It may become a much more expensive proposition in the near future: http://autoweek.com/article/classic-cars/proposed-automotive-tariff-would-slap-25-percent-import-duty-classic-cars?utm_source=spotim&utm_medium=spotim_recirculation&spotim_referrer=recirculation&spot_im_comment_id=sp_6vZa6MCa_spot-im-frame-uid-505810_c_osyjyu
Indeed, if this comes to pass it'll affect the market. More related: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-trump-auto-import-tariff-20180523-story.html https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/trump-considering-25-tax-us-car-imports
Joe I know what you mean. The Japanese tend to heavily customize their cars. I’d like to find a bianco perleto or a blu tahiti DD. Last one in either color that was available to my knowledge was the 88 1/2 wingless car Roy sold. I’d even settle for a DD Anni if it was a quality car in a rare livery.
I don't want to generalize, but my experience of cars from that region is that condition, mechanicals and original specification are often compromised.
In all the years you've been dealing with these cars Joe, how do ever decide to let them go, and how do you decide what's a keeper and what isn't...?
Good question, although, perhaps it was just a case of taking me 30 years to find a keeper? https://www.instagram.com/p/BiEIyG0ATX7/?taken-by=joesackeyclassics
On Days Like These. Got to spend it with my middle son home from college, in the presence of Countach LP400S restored greatness Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Blast From the Past. Our former DLA12562, Bianco Perlato/Rosso, one of two LP500S we have owned Image Unavailable, Please Login
I was there to look at four (4) different Countachs so I didn't think to ask Thank you. Here's another in our Blast From The Past series: Countach LP400 1120110, Marcello Gandini himself signed the dashboard of this one Image Unavailable, Please Login
Here is part 2 from John, covering the 5000QV (Fuel Injected and DD) and the 25th Anniversary models. Well done, John! Mike
Yes. Thank you John. One small correction. Joe Nastasi's distributorship who imported "EPA/DOT compliant" Downdraught Countachs was called Lamborghini East. "Lamborghini North America" was the name being used by Jas Rarewalla And Trefor Thomas who called themselves ACI (Automotive Compliance Inc.) prior to calling themselves "Lamborghini North America" It was Rarewalla/Thomas who did the original Bosch injection emissions workaround. It was "Lamborghini North America" who convinced the factory to produce the 2V injected LP500S (5000 S). Sorry for being so pedantic.
How about telling the truth, the lower prod qv fi cars, where bogged down with cats and restrictions, due to Epa,dot, but put back to factory intended spec they are fantastic cars.
Yes. There were fewer Injected cars. John clearly explains this in his production number estimates. He is also a dealer who obviously has quite a few Injected examples in inventory. His summary of value ranges is based upon his own experience buying and selling these cars. The cars (FI) left the factory as the DOT and EPA required them to be for sale in the USA. Tampering with the emissions control system is a crime (enforced with varying vigilance depending on what area you live). John just described the desirability (current market) for each variant as it presently is. It would seem that if he wanted to be a liar, it would be in his interest to say that the difference between an FI and a DD is negligible, as he appears to have quite a few FI cars in inventory.