Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5

I think he trimmed your two options to just one when he said "absolutely correct":

"Press firmly with your palm on the center above the latch until it catches?"

 

Ahh. I see now. Thank you.

I always assumed this was the safest option but twice recently other owners have advised me otherwise. Was just curious what others do to protect their metal. Thanks.

 

Personally, that's what I do too. Mechanically, spreading the load as much as possible as close to the load point is safest. If you press down further out you're just creating stress. But I wouldn't press down in a single small point right on the latch either. I'd consider pressing down with both palms adjacent right above the latch better - just spreads the pressure over a wider area, but not too wide and as close to the requires point as possible.

 

Good thoughts, Dean. Have a great holiday. Hope to catch up soon.

 

BTW this is swiss delivered GLA12981.
#894, 15 June 1986, Rayton distribution SA Ginevra for Eduard Meum,
Norway reg. LY 36111 (N)

 

Be sure to submit your vote in the poll:

https://www.lamborghinichat.com/forum/threads/whats-your-favorite-countach-variant-part-2.593176/

 

Joe, did you ever get an update? Would love to see whether he took further unknown pictures.

 

Three "New" Downdraft examples arrive in the USA!

Amongst the many Countach examples at Curated it is exciting to see that three Countach Downdraft examples have arrived to Miami from around the world.

The Dark Blue car pictured in the back of the group photo is #JLA12287, recently from the Middle East in long term ownership, 1 of 3 Countach 5000QV examples finished in Canna Di Fucile.

Just in front of the Dark Blue Downdraft is a stunning Rosso Siviglia #HLA12096. From long term, well documented German ownership. Available in inventory.

AND recently sold, an incredible preservation Nero Tenebre Downdraft with just under 4,000 miles. We are preparing this car for showing next year and currently refitting the original leather center console and side sills with new foam.

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Awesome stuff, John. Such a beautiful collection of the best Countach variant. Congrats.

 

Beautiful

 

Beautiful cars John, congrats on the procurement.

What can you tell us about the side skirts on the black car? Do you have paperwork for when they were fitted and in what year. Always interested to see in period changes.

Cheers
Rob

 

Looks identical to my car in terms of interior / exterior colours. I even managed to find a 7273L to fit into the dash. Looks like I too have a Paratelli interior (minus the red piping) but happy to be corrected. I have the original floor mats but not fitted in the car so as to preserve them. Sorry for the rubbish pic, just rushed out to take it and not a lot of light in the garage this time of year!

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You should be very proud, Rob. Yes, you do indeed have a Paratelli interior. Key elements of the Paratelli Downdraft seats include:

- Obviously the diamond and circle punctured leather slats (SALT seats had plain slats). I believe Joe’s maybe the only documented Downdraft with plain slats from Paratelli.

- Square side by side panels that run from the headrest all the way down to the lap. SALT seats had rectangular panels just below the headrest and also a single horizontal panel at the lap.

- Tapered and stitched lower 1/3 of the center spine. SALT seat center spines were open from top rectangular panel to the horizontal lap panel.

- Piping. SALT seats has triple French style stitching.

 

You can see the various differences in SALT seats in these photos that I mentioned above.

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Thanks for the infomation my friend. Always good to learn more about these beautiful cars!

My best
Rob

 

I am going to look under the car cover when I get home. I am pretty sure my Countach has these same seats with black piping.

 

Mine has Paratelli interior too! At some point I need to get the transmission tunnel leather re-applied on mine as it loose all over.

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Looks great, but I've noticed the steering wheel is on the wrong side

 

Remember we drive on the left side of the road here in the UK .. except when overtaking of course

 

I have one of each! Not 2 different seats - my LHD US QV has SALT seats, and my RHD UK QV has Paratelli seats.