My 86 Downdraft

We have had this car since 1997 and are wondering the best, honest, smartest mechanic for these cars out there. It is a totally original imported car from 1985 as an 86 model. Black on Black with paint issues. We have though about selling it but it is just to special, we want to make it perfect. Any help would be great. What do people think of George Evans??

Depends where you are on earth

In the US west Bobileff

In midwest Evans

East coast Exoticars-usa NJ or Tony in Fla.

I'm sure there are other I'm forgetting.

Nice guy that knows his stuff.

I would talk with Tony.

 

 

He does detailed passionate work .

 

With Tony, you would also have a Countach judge supervise the restoration process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have any recent pictures of the car as-is ?

you have received GREAT advice here. I used to own an 'Evans' restored downdraft, it's gone now

 

it was SPECTACULAR!!! can't go wrong there!

This thing has 16,000 miles all original, books tools, engine was never opened. I think this car will go up in value fast over the coming years. Very very fun to drive. The paint is the biggest issue. I'm not sure if it can be saved we just want to bring it to the best guy. I would like to know more about Tony. I live in new jersey.

Anyone know accurate build numbers for DD cars?? I know there were 650 QV's or so but how many were DD? I heard once as low as 120.

Chad is good too.

 

In AZ I wouldnt hesitate to give my car to Jeff Leblonde

I passed by Tony's shop last week but didn't have a chance to stop in. I've visited with him several times before he expanded the scope of his restoration business to include cars other than the DMC's, to say that Tony is passionate is an understatement. If you're seriously considering getting the work done on your car, you owe it to yourself to fly down to naples and see tony.

Build numbers on downdrafts anyone????

Jeff Leblonde

I would suggest doing what I do. My car needs paint but I have been putting it off for years. All the while doing paint finish work to keep it presentable. This is because I want to drive it, but drive it with out worries about getting a nick on it or driving through and hearing sand kick up under the wheel wells. I just felt if I spent 10, 15, 25 grand or more on paint I'll be to much of a puss to drive the car when I want. It's a fact, it happens and guys wind up spending ungodly amounts of money on restoration, being without the car for a year or two and wind up selling the car because they can not justify keeping a car that's sitting because the they're to nervous to drive.

I'm at a point where I would like to paint mine in 2010 after 7 years of ownership. I not as worried now because I would still drive it and am confident there will not be a reason to sell if it sat looking pretty.

Build numbers on downdrafts anyone????

 

there is not an accurate number on the DD only

total number of QV is 610 or so (i remember)

 

most experts agree that the biggest part of QVs is DD....so count 350 may be 400 cars

Thank you all for the kind words.

 

I have a PM from rmolke85 that I will respond to.

 

Happy Holidays!

Tony

I would suggest doing what I do. My car needs paint but I have been putting it off for years. All the while doing paint finish work to keep it presentable. This is because I want to drive it, but drive it with out worries about getting a nick on it or driving through and hearing sand kick up under the wheel wells. I just felt if I spent 10, 15, 25 grand or more on paint I'll be to much of a puss to drive the car when I want. It's a fact, it happens and guys wind up spending ungodly amounts of money on restoration, being without the car for a year or two and wind up selling the car because they can not justify keeping a car that's sitting because the they're to nervous to drive.

I'm at a point where I would like to paint mine in 2010 after 7 years of ownership. I not as worried now because I would still drive it and am confident there will not be a reason to sell if it sat looking pretty.

 

Peter - well stated and the TRUTH! I definitely fall into this category and am with you 100%. A 'perfect' mechanical car is essential for a driver and garage queen paint is not. I have owned a sick amount of cool cars and only once did I have one with imperfect paint (Maserati Khamsin) many years ago and I drove the snot out of it as a result. I miss DRIVING these beasts! Keep that black DD as is, and drive that biotch

 

I would suggest doing what I do. My car needs paint but I have been putting it off for years. All the while doing paint finish work to keep it presentable. This is because I want to drive it, but drive it with out worries about getting a nick on it or driving through and hearing sand kick up under the wheel wells. I just felt if I spent 10, 15, 25 grand or more on paint I'll be to much of a puss to drive the car when I want. It's a fact, it happens and guys wind up spending ungodly amounts of money on restoration, being without the car for a year or two and wind up selling the car because they can not justify keeping a car that's sitting because the they're to nervous to drive.

I'm at a point where I would like to paint mine in 2010 after 7 years of ownership. I not as worried now because I would still drive it and am confident there will not be a reason to sell if it sat looking pretty.

 

 

Well I bought mine and there were a few door dings, it had been polished by an over zelous bodyshop that waxed off all the paint on several edges and stone chips on the front end and rear fender flairs. Enjoyed it for two-three years that way

 

Then I decided to have the entire car painted at a specialist here in Italy. This was back in 2002, last year, in 2009, after about 10,000 KM from the repaint I brought it back to the bodyshop. I actually had it trucked there since it was during my first engine out, had the engine bay redone and repainted all four fender flairs and front bumper that showed the signs of stone chips, now it's back to 99%.

 

It is a car though and my biggest joy is when I drive it. The finish can be redone, they are not made to sit only in the garage IMO.

 

Can't wait for the weather to get better!

 

sorry to ask.. Tony in florida..? where is he located? business name? thanks

sorry to ask.. Tony in florida..? where is he located? business name? thanks

 

Naples, FL

 

www.naplesautoitalia.com

 

www.cannonballcountach.com

 

 

You have just entered a whole new world. It'll be good and bad but mostly good I believe. You have one of the original super bad boys now, sure some of the newer Lamborghini models can and will be faster, better braking so on and so on. BUT and with big letters BUT, they are all what evolved from that original bad boy. I can tell you this much, a few modern up to date parts here and there, all I can say is these beasts really can come alive and in a much bigger way than the newer cars do. With that being said, I don't mean that a Diablo or newer Lamborghini doesn't like a few better and more modern parts or will they come alive more, just percentages are in a better favor for that ol' work horse.

I would like to help you out here in your repairing, servicing and up-grading of your Countach but, I DON'T DO CHROME!!!!!!!!!!!! Others do and that's fine with me. But to me it's one of two things or worlds, either it really goes and goes fast or else like we said in High School, if it don't go, chrome it! There is nothing wrong with chroming it, it just isn't for me. I have seen before where someone will spend 20K on a paint job but the engine only runs on 10 cylinders and leaks oil like a screen door. I can do everything except interior and paint, other wise I can do what ever you can think of plus a whole lot more.

I'm as of now in the middle of a 1986 4 valve Countach. It (was) a USA model with CIS fuel injection. The engine was in such terrible shape, by far the worse I've ever seen, that I wasn't sure it would ever run again, well properly I should say. One of the major changes is the fuel injection is being changed to electronic injection. Latest, greatest, bestest and even goodyer than most!!!!!! The engine management box is a coil over type, that means no distriubitor or spark plug wires. I don't want to say that the 5 liter and early 5.2 and 5.4 4 valve engines had built in problems, but there is alot of room for improvement within. Suspension wise, they need work, heck look at there age and besides the shocks will need replacement. Why not add on the Koni shocks that could be ordered if one wanted back then. Wheels and tires, many great Lamborghini wheels to chose from here plus now you have a very large choice of tires to go to. The original 15s are long gone except one brand and that's all I can find. Do you need to do all these repairs and up grades, heck no! I also believe if it ain't broke, don't fix it! But do drive it, I've seen more Lamborghinis that were bad because they weren't driven. Keeping the mileage low and all, you know! Man -O- man, I'll bet ol' man Lamborghini turns in the ground every time the low mileage thing happens! After all, what was the original reason for Mr. Lamborghini to build cars but to show up the "F" car brand and be able to drive it. If you don't get all giddy inside and smile ear to ear, your either dead or you have no emotions left in you! Driving a Lamborghini, hearing that 12 cylinder music behind you, now that's Italian!!!!!!!!

What?!

What?!

 

+ 1

 

+ 1

 

 

Some new pictures of said DD.

Some new pictures of said DD.

 

 

 

George Evans is great-Always willing to help out w/just about any questions re: countach-Very fair and all I hear is good things!

 

 

And I can DD on Gary Bobileff.