Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5 | Page 284 | FerrariChat

Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5

Discussion in 'LamborghiniChat.com' started by joe sackey, Oct 25, 2015.

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  1. Ellagirl

    Ellagirl F1 Rookie

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    We all agree on its brilliant design, poss judged from different platforms, from mine,its a very pure and simple,wich is why the end result is brilliant and stunning,
     
  2. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ
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  3. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ
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  4. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ
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  5. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ
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  6. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ
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  7. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ
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  8. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ
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  9. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ
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    The rear view of the Downdraft's power dome has become as iconic a Countach feature as that of the Periscopa's roof, an instantly recognizable feature that defines the car.

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  10. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Still looking for the chassis number of this Massa-Carrara (MS) Italy-registered Downdraft (almost all the the 200 Homologation cars are identified), I think this car was originally delivered to the ME, then went to Holland, just a guess.

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  11. cnpapa24

    cnpapa24 F1 Rookie

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    No sale.
     
  12. blown daytona

    blown daytona Formula 3

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    #7087 blown daytona, Sep 19, 2017
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    As equally iconic, is Lamborghini's departure from the old to the more modern fuel injected QV model :) Looks much more masculine IMO
     
  13. PineChris

    PineChris Formula 3

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    I agree!
     
  14. vectorfiles

    vectorfiles Formula Junior

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  15. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Agreed, the USA-spec Fuelie Countach does look more masculine when you modify then rear end to resemble a European-spec Downdraft.

    I was comparing the Downdraft's iconic feature with that of the Periscopa, but since you invite the comparison with a Fuelie, allow me to share my thoughts on the subject. My view is that the Downdraft's engine cover is a more aesthetically pleasing & successful design than that of the Fuelie for a number of reasons. Firstly, it's shape is dominated by a central power-dome that speaks to purposeful intent as successfully the power-dome on the hood of a 250 GTO. Secondly, it's design is reflective of the trapezoidal shapes that comprise the Countach's design so it is beautifully-integrated with the car's overall design. Thirdly, the Downdraft's prominent & centrally-mounted power-dome speaks to power, appropriately so, as it contains the engine of the most powerful factory Countach variant. The Fuelie's hood on the other hand, looks more like the some of the other necessitated compromises bestowed upon DOT-mandated USA-spec cars, appearing designed with heating as the priority, and the three longitudinal slabs that dominate it's surface appear to give it a cluttered and undefined look.

    As regards instantly recognizable iconic features of all Countach variants (my earlier point), I'd say the Downdraft's engine cover is at this point second only to the Periscopa's roof. That said, it's worth noting that the Downdraft's most prominent iconic feature serves a practical purpose, that of housing those glorious Weber carbs & trumpets.

    Just for fun, I'd rank my top 3 Countach engine hoods in terms of styling as:
    - Downdraft (Power Dome)
    - LP400S > LP500S (Classic)
    - LP400 (Original)

    FWIW, we had GLA12997's engine cover in pieces during the car's restoration, and I came to the conclusion that the Downdraft's hood is a thing of utter wonder & beauty, truly a Lamborghini design triumph, sometimes I just stand and stare at it. Looking at the image below, I should point out that masculinity is not just what shows on the outside, but what is contained within.

    Before I forget, as regards your comment "departure from old to modern", if old also means raw sound that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand on end, more prodigious power and better performance, please give me old Weber 44 DCNF carburetors any day!

    BTW, some of this discussion will be in yet another fun magazine article upcoming, please stay tuned.

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  16. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ
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  17. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ
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    I have a topside image of my Downdraft which highlights the hood's design nicely, but I can't find it tonight, perhaps tomorrow, so meanwhile here is a similar backside shot of the car's business end, as the Mimran Downdraft is a 1986-build car, it features the Series 1 Downdraft hood with vented sides, unlike Harry's 1987-build car.

    BTW, the claim that rearward visibility in the Downdraft is worse than that of a Fuelie is Bollocks.

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  18. EMILIO

    EMILIO F1 Veteran

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    http://www.zeperfs.com/duel972-903.htm

    interesting comparison btw a countach quattrovalvole carburatori and a lamborghini diablo
    while at the 400 meters the cars are still very close, the diablo is 2 seconds quicker at the 1000 meters from still
     
  19. PineChris

    PineChris Formula 3

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    A good Diablo is MUCH faster than any Countach.. They are only close off the line, using your chart as an indicator, the Diablo hits 100kmh only 4/10s of a second quicker, yet it hits 220kmh over 5 seconds faster.
     
  20. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ
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    With the Downdraft at 455 Bhp/500 Nm and the Diablo at 492 Bhp/580 Nm one would expect exactly what the data in this test indicates.

    The next-generation Diablo ought to be faster!

    That said, is this a real test, or a hypothetical scenario based on extrapolation of numbers?

    FWIW, perhaps not a relevant comparison, but my personal experience is that the Mimran Downdraft GLA12997 post-restoration feels at least as quick as my USA-spec Diablo SE30 027/150 ever was.

    What I'd really like to do is make the relevant Ferrari vs Lamborghini comparison and test the Downdraft against its nemesis the 288 GTO, thats what the next magazine article will be about once the GTO is ready.
     
  21. joe sackey

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  22. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ
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  23. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ
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  24. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ
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  25. Ellagirl

    Ellagirl F1 Rookie

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    I was wondering the same thing reg the actual base of these test results. Love the ide of a real world dd versus gto comparo, i will say this,i drove the gto last year,and my own Countach as a comparo,to me, my Countach felt torquier an quicker, i will also say this,my 91 Diablo did not feel much quicker than my Countach,but my 01 Diablo was a waay quicker.
     

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