Official Countach Value Thread

I agree 110%

And not just because of the low production numbers, but also because:
1) the 1988.5 model was the last pre-Anni variant (which adds some value)
2) Most importantly... this variant incorporated most all of the design improvements that Chrysler ownership/$ brought....the improved wiring harness, fuse box, AC that worked, the digital automatic climate control system, and other numerous quality improvents that then also showed up in the Anniversary model. That is why Lamborghini deliberately chose to differentiate it from the earlier 1988 model and they themselves called it the 1988.5 model. The Lambo US window stickers actually differentiated this last improved model with the designation '1988.5' model year on the window sticker. I know because I have an original window sticker that is so printed. Lamborghini wanted the public to know that this last variant was, in fact, different from the earlier 1988 model, as evidenced by that designation on the documentation. I contend that the quality and redesign improvements that made the Anniversary model the most reliable and easiest to live with of all variants, also existed in the 88.5. So, to me, the 88.5 is the best of both worlds with the original look (minus side skirts) and the improved, thus best, quality found as in the Anni.

 

Victor, are you sure about this portion?


"That is why Lamborghini deliberately chose to differentiate it from the earlier 1988 model and they themselves called it the 1988.5 model. The Lambo US window stickers actually differentiated this last improved model with the designation '1988.5' model year on the window sticker. I know because I have an original window sticker that is so printed. Lamborghini wanted the public to know that this last variant was, in fact, different from the earlier 1988 model,"



Quite a while back in a thread I had about an 88.5 car, the term I used "88.5 Countach" was "Debunked" and stated by Joe Sackey that the "88.5" designation was nothing more then a "Monkier" name sake started by others and had nothing to do with the factory designation. Of course at that time I did not know either way 100% nor did I have an original window sticker to dis-prove Joe Sackey's written words.....

I guess a "Bible" writer can be and has been wrong.....again?

Thanks for clearing this up for us Victor, I am very confident now in advertising my incoming 1988 1/2 car just as that...a 1988 1/2 ALL ORIGINAL from the factory as it left it car.

 

Hi Roy,
I have a car, and also a window sticker. The window sticker clearly has the number "1988.5" printed on it for the model year.
BUT...as with all things Lamborghini, often there is no black and white. The window sticker proves that Lamborghini USA denoted the variant as such, but perhaps Lamborghini in Italy did not? Or perhaps other countries did not either? I haven't found any documents from Italy or other countries with the 1988.5 designation, but it certainly was used in the USA. And it seemed a smart and wise move to help sell more cars at the time imo/ But who knows if Italy or other countries did it?

In your case, or anyone else selling this variant of Countach in the USA, I would agree with you that you have every right and historical precedent to market your car as the improved 1988.5 variant, in order to maximize the sales price, because they were sold in the USA as such, and they are, in fact, improved cars over the earlier 1988 model year and earlier variants.

 

In Roys case,being a dealer,(not trying to tell a car dealer what to do) nice low miles car ,basically untouched,sell it the way you bought it, the buyer on this car is educated,and will understand and have his/hers opinion what to do. It is ,after all a very low miles Countach,and priced accordingly,
As a Countach buyer,for the long haul,and you love the Countach shape for all the right reasons,the hideous nasty bumpers , have to go, no ifs or buts about it. What a completly waste of your and everybodys time to drive around in this beatiful car,hoping it will be worth a few bucks more, 10 years from now, and looking like an absolute idiot in the process, this things where never a part of the cars design ,wich ever crasy angle you look at it,they Had to be there only in order to satisfie us regulations, As mentioned somewhere earlier in this tread,if or when this car reaches the million mark, rest in shure,the bumpers are not going to make any difference what so ever,

 

In all seriousness posts like this are exactly why a lot of owners I know have dropped off or stay off the forums. Who is anyone to tell someone else what they should like, and what they should do with their property (whatever it may be), reverting to name calling when some don’t comply with their purest mentality. Best you stay away from the car clubs in Japan, you may have an aneurysm

 

My apologies for not adding IMO

 

Very sexy and the cars not bad either! Looking great Andrew, will be great to see her in the flesh soon.

Rob

 

Fantastic looking, pure, clean, just the way it was intended to look, love the wing delete,
As good as it gets,after the Periscopo. No disrespect to you sensitive, girlie, bumper lovers out there. All good

 

Victor you are correct.

"1988.5" is not an official Automobili Lamborghini SpA designation, as can clearly be seen on Factory Invoices for Eu/ROW models of this variant (they are either late 1987 or 1988).

It was started by the USA Importer and adopted by USA concessionaires.

 

Its hard to argue that the cars look best in Eu/ROW trim, but, you do have a point about cars being left original for maximum value as some recent sales have taught us.

Here is a gorgeous original 1987 QV that will be coming to the market shortly, left original.
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I have several cars in my collection that are 100% factory down to the last nut and bolt. I would not even think of altering thier apperances. However, I would have a problem standing in my garage, beer in hand, gazing at those growths on the front and rear of that car From a collector stand point I did save my toasters for the next care taker who wishes to reverse the surgury I performed.

 

The gradual transformation over the years:
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Looks great,did you have the red plexi cnc cut? I did mine that way and the aluminum plates behind the plexi i was able to buy as a factory part nmbr.

 

All the parts were still available thru Lamborghini at the time...and they were still cheap (couple hundred for the plexi, tin sheet and the little reflector). Looking at those pics again, I kind of like the middle pic. Toasters off but the cap on the back. Has an evil, wide, mean look to it

 

Love it!

 

I always like keeping mine as original as possible, but the front bumper is just too much for me! LOL! The previous owner of mine replaced it with the 25th anniversary bumper which looks much better. One day I may do the real "Euro" front bumper. i still have the original huge black front bumper wrapped in cardboard in the rafters.

I'm also sure I am in the minority in that I don't mind the rear end with the USA cover over the lights and black Toasters.

Mike
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Wow, those cars are probably not worth putting them back together. I learned a long time ago that it is cheaper to put out the big $$ and buy the nicest one you can....it ends up being cheaper after all the smoke clears

 

$95K huh for a projects with missing parts? in 2010 that would have gottten you a top 5000s. Times are surely changed. I wonder how much for the restoration. if $150K-$180K, I guess you are still on top. Paint and interior wont be cheap. How did the car got that way?

 

The structural integrity loss in the frame and body panels due to heat is enough to stay away, although who knows once the cars are worth $M+. Total money pits.

 

Sold for how much? What did the bidding go up to before the adds were pulled? The burnt one was in the Hemmings for some time several years ago. I think the asking price was 22.5k.

 

I recall that, it was advertised for at least a year.

 

whoa!! buyers fighting over burnt countach now? amazing...