As Raymond says, the original leather isn't readily available (actually you can source something very similar if you make a not inconsiderable effort), and the original artisan is usually not the one doing the restored interiors, so the style & characteristics tend to differ quite visibly - if you know what to look for. Another issue is restored cars are often owned by people who insist on the current thick bulky matte-finished leather being used and this in itself creates a difference in the finished appearance which is a departure from the original authentic finish, because the seams are less tight and the stitching has to be bigger to accommodate the thickness of the leather, and the overall patina of the leather is dull. Another mistake is the use if much less padding these days, causing the sitting area of the seats to wrinkle and the leather to become loose after just a bit of use. If I were a concours judge, I'd start in the interior of a restored car.
Long time no see. enjoyed retirement, sort of. Doing my own things now. No more corporate non sense dealing. My question on this leather saga is, being 2024, why could not anyone perfectly replicate the original leather? I mean technology should help. Someone made it to start with.
Discounted prices could also be due to the very aggressive policies toward shutting due gas cars in the EU and pushing EV. Hearing that cities will now forbid driving a gas car in them. These cars will be boat anchors there, never to be driven again
great video ,my QV fulie does this ,and have for the 17 yeas in my ownership , with the maintnance required, no big deal , although, my car never had gearbox noices, Harry is for sure a good ambassador for our car, lots of talk back and forth, not sure i get it, my car have been basicly troublefree for as long as i owned it all good Countach is King
The way any Countach should drive, sadly, so few do these days, once you've experienced one performing like it should, anything less is unacceptable, Bravo Harry. It would if your car had been on the track and pushed as many times as Harry's has.
Although the factory built over 600 QV cars in total ('85-88.5) and about 50% seem to have been downdraft cars, it would be interesting to know the "guesstimate" DD breakdown: MY 1985 with Lamborghini gearbox DD MY 1985-1986 with ZF gearbox DD MY 1987-1988 with new power dome w/o side vents, new AC dash configuration, relay box, etc DD MY 88 1/2 DD
Also in the Countach thread. Spotted in Mexico City yesterday. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
this is in the district of Polanco spotted in front of this bank have been Bugattis, Porsches, etc Image Unavailable, Please Login
Heading back to the California desert. Chassis n° FLA12835 was new to Alvin Charles Copeland founder of the Popeyes Chicken fast food chain. The 1st owner of this Bianco/Rosso Countach rocket loved fast cars and fast boats, in fact, Al won 5 consecutive national Superboat championships from 1984 to 1988, and was an active racer in the American Power Boat Association, staging the Popeyes Offshore Grand Prix for many years. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
HLA12145 has been owned by the same man who special-ordered it new in 1987, when the time came for him to sell, we were asked to find his beloved jewel it's 2nd home. It'll be joining a stellar Lamborghini Countach collection including another Downdraft and an LP400. This one-off Downdraft features an Arancio Rosso Speciale interior based on leather he brought to the factory in 1987 for Bruno Paratelli to use, the only Countach thus appointed. Chassis n° HLA12145 Motor n° 1353 Prod n° 1057 Colore - Bianco Interiore colore - Pelle Arancio Speciale Consignment date - 05/08/1987 Destination - SEA Sprung, Hannover, Germany Collected at the factory on on EE.490.AK plates Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
FWIW the erroneous information I saw being disseminated on instagram that shift-knobs were always covered in vinyl is obviously incorrect, the problem we have with accuracy is there are people running around making creative declarations to suit their own agenda on the basis of the limited knowledge of their one single car. Both shift knobs and steering wheels were alternately covered in leather or Naugahyde during Countach production, either can be correct, it depends on what the car was supplied with in the 1st place. HLA12145's control components were special leather. PS - this totally original Downdraft also disproves additional erroneous information claimed on Instagram that no Countach left the factory with white wheels. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Grazie Valentino, and grazie to the original owner for affording us the opportunity to purchase the car he collected at Sant Agata in 1987, so many stories here! Image Unavailable, Please Login
After fairly flying on the test drive, Valentino subjected it to critical review, if ever there was a case for how to take care of a car for 36 years, HLA12145 is a good example, needless to say it will continue to remain original. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to buy the car and working with us and Valentino to make this happen.