Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5

Awesome color Steven.

Now you mention it, I do also recall a Rosso Speciale USA Fuelie Countach that now lives in Germany.

 

Totally agree.

Imitation is not always the sincerest form of flattery, and since I consider the Countach as automotive art, these replicas are automotive vandalism IMHO, often (in the words of the esteemed LJK Setright) with absolutely no redeeming features whatsoever.

I find it hard to even look at a replica, perhaps afraid that it will diminish the love I have for the real thing. My advice to kids would be: "Quick, Look Away!"

 

Thanks for confirming.

As regards the images, they are off my Pistonheads archive where the photographer is not always identified, but I had a suspicion they were yours!

I hear what you are saying about copyright, but such is the internet. I have taken thousands of images myself, some specially commissioned works, and I see them in use by other people all over the internet. My view is, if someone thought my image was cool enough to be used again, then bless them, I'm happy to see it, and I take it as a compliment!

We must thank you though for your work documenting these cars, especially in the mid-to-late 80s.

I think you inadvertently captured an image of me in the background of an image I think you took of the cars lined up outside the Portman's West London service center where I had showed up to collect my first Downdraft. That's the image with my friend Vahe Melkonian's white 88.5 (E 181 LYY) alongside a white Countach S.

 

I think its real, Ive noticed that a number of Countach that go to Australia end up gaining a new identity of sorts.

BTW, I'd like to make a friendly reminder to all, this is the Downdraft thread, so let's try and stay on-topic

 

I'm in this image also, black sweater & white cap, taken by Snapper Seven circa 1989.
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Speaking of Snapper Seven, he also has an amazing collection of images from the late 80s which he hosts on Flickr that deserves to be in this thread, as they feature many nearly-new Downdrafts in images not yet posted here.
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I think this is a car that was dark blue previously.

 

Another set of Downdrafts, by Snapper Seven. In fact, I think I remember him as a teenager going around taking images of all the cars back then!
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Here is a series of FLA12878 when owned by Vic 'Red Rocket' Sawyer, having fun @ Goodwood.
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That's Anthony Bentley's Downdraft from when it was new in 1988.

The original owner is in the first image.

That's my first-ever Lamborghini (black LP500S) parked next to it.
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Vahe Melkonian in his then-new 88.5 Downdraft at Castle Combe circuit
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The pristine white interior of Vahe's car, I spent some seat time in there.
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The yellow Downdraft @ Goodwood circa 1988
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Ex-KM 8 @ Castle Combe circuit on the occasion of the Fifth Gear test with an F40.

Sooty rims say "clean me".
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Seen again @ Brands Hatch circuit
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Also seen at Brands Hatch racing circuit in the UK
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A pair of Periscopas and five Downdrafts at the recent Lamborghini Day in Tokyo, Japan.

You can tell those are Downdrafts from the positioning of the front fender side turn-signal lenses.

The nearest white car is an LP500S or LP400S S3.

The dark green car is second-to-last in the row.
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Downdraft @ Cars & Coffee event in Tokyo.

Looks slightly lowered to my eye.
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Looks like he has Brembo brakes affixed.

I didn't think this was possible with 15" rim-size.
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After a bit of research, it appears conclusive that starting with 88.5 Downdraft production the works went from Carello to Hella driving lamps. Carellos had been in use since the beginning of Countach production with the LP400.

You can tell the Hella units even when the stickers are no longer affixed as they are not perfectly straight-edged rectangular in configuration.
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