Diablo / Countach
Author
Discussion

RayVonn

Original Poster:

1,352 posts

246 months

Sunday 2nd November 2008
quotequote all
In these times of credit crunch I'm considering doing the sensible thing and purchasing a supercar! I've had a few Ferrari's before, but lately I've gone right off them. So, I'm thinking Lambo and either a Murci, late Diablo with the clear headlamp covers, or even a Countach of some variety.

If I'm honest, I prefer the look of late Diablo's (clear headlamp covers) to anything else, although trouble is that they seem really rare and the only place that ever seems to have any is Amari and nothing personal, but I'm not interested in visiting them at all.

I know Carlo in Scotland is 100% sound, but he doesn't seem to get many late Diablo's.

What were the numbers built and from what time period did they have the later spec's with clear headlamp covers, etc.


countachman

1,290 posts

241 months

Sunday 2nd November 2008
quotequote all
THE REAL DARK SIDE IS LOOOOOMING.....HAHAHAHAHA

diablo_pete

3,595 posts

225 months

Sunday 2nd November 2008
quotequote all
RayVonn said:
If I'm honest, I prefer the look of late Diablo's
Stick to what you really want. So forget Murci/Countach if not your first choice. Forget investments etc. Having what you want is the best investment you can make. You only live once.

You clearlu want either a 99 SV or a six litre. What's the budget if not too personal?
Reckon 70K for a nice openhead SV and 85 to 90 for a six. Regarding your choice of where not to shop, PM me and I can tell you which dealer to avoid.

Forgot to mention, and I'm not saying that I approve, but Naz of Parallel designs told me that he has converted a few genuine diablos from closed to open headlights. The lights are from a Nissan 350Z, but the front edge of each wind requires a subtle modification which he can do (two new wings would be ££££. Just thought I'd mention that, but sure you'll source what you want. take your time.

Edited by diablo_pete on Sunday 2nd November 20:57

jdwcd

2,519 posts

232 months

Sunday 2nd November 2008
quotequote all
stop de valuing cars pete. just because you want a six. or four!!

steve06

756 posts

228 months

Sunday 2nd November 2008
quotequote all
Go for a six and forget the rest, 75 will get you the one in Armari (someone I know asked) but 85-90 should get you a nice one... not John's though unfortunately smile

jdwcd

2,519 posts

232 months

Sunday 2nd November 2008
quotequote all
yes get the on at ama but expext to pay another 20+ to put it right!

XXVIII

2,800 posts

244 months

Sunday 2nd November 2008
quotequote all
There are people here and elsewhere - ie, somewhere other than PistonHeads, (there ARE such places you know!) that actually rate the earlier Diablo as the more immediate and vital car than the later 5.7s and 6.0.s... by now, the survivors are at least well-sorted, if not better...

Although, if you really want a car that will teach you something other than what it is to be 'having to compete with latecomers to the supercar genre' then, erm, a Countach would be the car to have - now't to prove, nobody to prove it to anyway... I'll not mention the Miura, the original supercar, the progenitor, the goddess, because you probably wouldn't want me to.

...and yes - bogus "middle eastern royalty" would be best avoided in these matters, imho.

CMcC does have that orange Diablo at the moment - not open-lamped but very Diablo, very orange...

plus there's a 5.7 on the PH classifieds as well in scuro blue, which has been internally improved (ie, a lot of Alcantara deleted in favour of leather and other good stuff like carbon fibre etc) and has a history of some quality and provenance to say the least, not open lamped but very clean and well maintained and just crying out for a owner to use as often as possible.

ps I get nothing for saying that about the scuro blue car but the owner is a good pal and fellow LCUK member as well


diablo_pete

3,595 posts

225 months

Sunday 2nd November 2008
quotequote all
XXVIII said:
There are people here and elsewhere - ie, somewhere other than PistonHeads, (there ARE such places you know!) that actually rate the earlier Diablo as the more immediate and vital car than the later 5.7s and 6.0.s... by now, the survivors are at least well-sorted, if not better...

Although, if you really want a car that will teach you something other than what it is to be 'having to compete with latecomers to the supercar genre' then, erm, a Countach would be the car to have - now't to prove, nobody to prove it to anyway... I'll not mention the Miura, the original supercar, the progenitor, the goddess, because you probably wouldn't want me to.

...and yes - bogus "middle eastern royalty" would be best avoided in these matters, imho.

CMcC does have that orange Diablo at the moment - not open-lamped but very Diablo, very orange...

plus there's a 5.7 on the PH classifieds as well in scuro blue, which has been internally improved (ie, a lot of Alcantara deleted in favour of leather and other good stuff like carbon fibre etc) and has a history of some quality and provenance to say the least, not open lamped but very clean and well maintained and just crying out for a owner to use as often as possible.

ps I get nothing for saying that about the scuro blue car but the owner is a good pal and fellow LCUK member as well
Wise words.

diablo_pete

3,595 posts

225 months

Sunday 2nd November 2008
quotequote all
jdwcd said:
stop de valuing cars pete. just because you want a six. or four!!
Sorry Jon. Didn't mean to. Just thinking about how you tried to kick me in the nuts! nono
Call me tomorrow.

steve06

756 posts

228 months

Sunday 2nd November 2008
quotequote all
I do love the older Diablo's - especially the SV's but if you want an open headlamp model the only reason I suggested the 6.0 over a older model with a headlamp conversion is because the interior styling is nicer and it's probably just me but I still haven't seen another car with as much presence as a 6.0 Diablo. It's just the dream car that my head and heart always come back to!

diablo_pete

3,595 posts

225 months

Sunday 2nd November 2008
quotequote all
steve06 said:
I do love the older Diablo's - especially the SV's but if you want an open headlamp model the only reason I suggested the 6.0 over a older model with a headlamp conversion is because the interior styling is nicer and it's probably just me but I still haven't seen another car with as much presence as a 6.0 Diablo. It's just the dream car that my head and heart always come back to!
The open handlamp SV does have the sweeping dash similar to the 6.0.

steve06

756 posts

228 months

Sunday 2nd November 2008
quotequote all
diablo_pete said:
steve06 said:
I do love the older Diablo's - especially the SV's but if you want an open headlamp model the only reason I suggested the 6.0 over a older model with a headlamp conversion is because the interior styling is nicer and it's probably just me but I still haven't seen another car with as much presence as a 6.0 Diablo. It's just the dream car that my head and heart always come back to!
The open handlamp SV does have the sweeping dash similar to the 6.0.
There's still a difference though



Here's another Armari special, the open headlamps weren't from the factory, looks ok though... http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/LAMB...

Edited by steve06 on Sunday 2nd November 23:27

evil_dr_fish

2,481 posts

255 months

Monday 3rd November 2008
quotequote all
Wow!

What a choice / Dilemma!

I ihad a similar one this June - I was deciding between an Early Diablo or an Anniversary Countach!

For me the Countach was (is) the poster car of my dreams but I'm an adrenaline junkie and wanted the extra welly of the Diablo.

I went for the power of the devil and love it and haven't regretted it for one second but I will still always yearn for those uncompromising lines of the Countach!


Follow your dream mate! Decide what YOUR priorities are (looks, image, childhood dream, power, driving experience / whatever) and go with it!

You are choosing between 3 of the finest cars ever made - you won't regret either outcome!

FWIW I got mine from TopGear so, +1 on the "100%"

ade/lou

355 posts

232 months

Monday 3rd November 2008
quotequote all
If your going for such a stunning car as the Diablo there's only one choice for sheer drama, if you have already own one that is.... aka the






Its only time and one of them will be mine ....Mmmmmmm

diablo_pete

3,595 posts

225 months

Monday 3rd November 2008
quotequote all
Come on Ade show me the SIX!

andy355

1,347 posts

268 months

Monday 3rd November 2008
quotequote all
forgive my ignorance of all things Lambo - but have these cars kept their value really well? i mean in comparison to a similar age ferrari or aston i guess. 80k for a 1999 car seems a lot or were they really expensive when new?

steve06

756 posts

228 months

Monday 3rd November 2008
quotequote all
andy355 said:
forgive my ignorance of all things Lambo - but have these cars kept their value really well? i mean in comparison to a similar age ferrari or aston i guess. 80k for a 1999 car seems a lot or were they really expensive when new?
they're a different league to the Ferrari's of the same vintage!

RayVonn

Original Poster:

1,352 posts

246 months

Monday 3rd November 2008
quotequote all
diablo_pete said:
You clearly want either a 99 SV or a six litre. What's the budget if not too personal?
Reckon 70K for a nice openhead SV and 85 to 90 for a six. Regarding your choice of where not to shop, PM me and I can tell you which dealer to avoid.
Yes, I think a 6.0 would be the ideal! Budget wise, I haven't really got one - but obviously want a good honest car that's good value for money.

The wife is backing me on this one anyway, as I'm selling my other 5 cars smile

diablo_pete

3,595 posts

225 months

Monday 3rd November 2008
quotequote all
RayVonn said:
diablo_pete said:
You clearly want either a 99 SV or a six litre. What's the budget if not too personal?
Reckon 70K for a nice openhead SV and 85 to 90 for a six. Regarding your choice of where not to shop, PM me and I can tell you which dealer to avoid.
Yes, I think a 6.0 would be the ideal! Budget wise, I haven't really got one - but obviously want a good honest car that's good value for money.

The wife is backing me on this one anyway, as I'm selling my other 5 cars smile
How long before you're gonna be ready? Five cars to sell!!! My word. As you still will have everyday cars, you must like your toys!! I know someone that may sell their openhead SV and Jon might sell his 6.0 but he'll want 95K at least.

Peter

evil_dr_fish

2,481 posts

255 months

Monday 3rd November 2008
quotequote all
The Countach has actually *appreciated* significantly of late.

Knowledgable predictions are that the Diablo will follow suit before long.




I think the Testarossa has done a simliar thing. Yet the 308/28, 348 and 355 don't seem to have?

Oddly, the late Giugiaro Turbo Esprit and original S1's have appreciated too.

The lower volume and more iconic the better I guess? (tho that theory certainly doesn't explain why 308 values aren't higher? (they certainly ought to be imho!))