Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5

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.

 

It can be replicated, but to begin with there has to be a willingness to do so faithfully.

 

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.

 

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.

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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

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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.

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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!

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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.

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Thank you for giving us the opportunity to buy the car and working with us and Valentino to make this happen.

 

HLA12145 starting it's journey to a new continent.

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