Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5

Hard to tell what the value is without inspecting the entire car.

That said, value is probably a moot point to this gentleman as I believe he has owned it from new and is unlikely to sell, to him it's probably priceless, that said, realistically, when it does eventually sells it'll come down to condition, so it'll bring less than some others will, but then you can daily drive it!

I have been made to understand that the engines in these cars are quite robust, and this is underscored by how many Diowndrafts have close to or over 100k on the clock as posted within this thread.

 

Servicing it every year is more than many Countach owners do! I come across many Countachs that are not serviced in years.

That combined with regular use and I am not surprised his car runs well, as many high-mileage cars in fact do, I have often said, the more you drive them the better they run.

That said, make no mistake, if your Countach has not been properly maintained, engine, gearbox, brakes and suspension will not perform like they should, and the car will become unreliable.

There is a difference between a car that is well-maintained but has high miles and some patina, and a neglected Countach, drive the latter and your excursions will likely end on a tow-truck.

Not everyone covets low miles, and a car only becomes unreliable because owners make it so by not maintaining it.

However I agree completely, a car that can be driven and enjoyed has value of it's owner, to it's own that's priceless.

 

Sinister-looking JLA12378

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Downdraft that used to live in Monte Carlo, looks a 1986 production car, chassis number anyone?

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Downdraft engine rebuilt and then dyno'd

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I posted some images earlier in this thread.

That said, my comments are mostly based on the age of this car and the cars in general.

Correct.

 

Countach FLA12878 on the track a few years ago, I have personally seen this car do many miles at both Castle Combe circuit and Goodwood circa 1987 to 1990

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Blu Acapulco Downdraft in Buenos Aires, Argentina-registered VUG 216, anyone know the chassis number?

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Bianco Downdraft in Paris underground parking garage, anyone know the chassis number?

Rear Lamborghini badge missing for some reason

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Awesome rolling shot of GLA12997 by the talented photographer Ted7

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More of the enigmatic special-order JLA12292, a truly sublime show-stopping livery, as my daughter might say, Hella Dope

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Vale with a telltale smile, not all pistons were created equal

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FLA12874 in Brussels

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Italy-registered pastel blue Downdraft, chassis number anyone?

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KillerBees.

F 922 OYR is JLA12410 and the Charles Ivey 959, two iconic sports cars both FIA Homologated for Group B

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Good post Patrick.

A few candid thoughts of my own:

There is a place for all variants of Countach including the Fuelie.

That said, I am yet to see a Euro-look conversion that has been executed convincingly or completely on a Fuelie.

You are right at your suggestion that owning a modified car at anywhere near Downdraft costs makes no economic sense. In fact, if I happened to own a Fuelie, I would not bother modifying it, I would appreciate it for what it is, I would enjoy it by driving the wheels off the thing, block bumpers and all. Then, if I concluded that I just could not live with the USA DOT appendages and wanted the Downdraft's pure Euro look, I would buy a Downdraft in addition, or replace the Fuelie with a Downdraft, which is exactly what anyone who is unhappy with their Fuelie has the option to do.

Let's remember, when this thread was started, it's purpose was as a Downdraft appreciation thread focused solely on this without intent of any comparison with other Countach variants - Periscopa, Lowbody, Fuelie or whatever. The Downdraft doesn't need to be compared, it's sort of incomparable anyway. The comparisons only commenced when 2 or 3 specific Fuelie owners sought in vain to minimize the attributes of the Downdraft, succeeding only in drawing attention to it's obvious superiority. The sourness you mention can be attributed to none other than the Fuelie owners who clearly seem unhappy with their cars, as their futile attempts to equalize all QVs shows. You don't see Periscopa or Lowbody owners coming on here to dispute the fact that the Downdraft is the most powerful Countach variant the Lamborghini factory ever made, do you? They just enjoy what they have secure in the knowledge that they love their cars for their own unique set of attributes.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery so we already know that Fuelie owners who have converted cars would rather have a car that looks like or actually is a Downdraft, and with that in mind, I think people should either be happy with whatever Countach they have, or, if they see another variant of Countach that is superior in some way, don't be insecure and disparage it, admire it, or better still, get one.

 

F 922 OYR & 1 VEY

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