Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5

Of course we left the Swiss-spec lighting arrangement in place - much to Vale's consternation.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Front-end all finished!
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

The engine only requires Weber tuning and the application of the air-box and ancillaries.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Crazy to think the entire endeavor is still just under a year, especially with all the minor challenges we have had! Tuning & road-testing are next.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

We have tried.

For me this is 30 years of looking at Lambos, put into this car.

Thank you for your kind words.

 

Thank you Joey, its been a herculean effort, pictures do not convey one-hundredth of what goes on behind the scenes!

I appreciate the sentiments.

 

Thanks Mo, I hope you see it one day!

 

So true!

We were all standing around the car yesterday saying the exact same thing!

Anyway, we have restored & refinished the air-box beautifully.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I daresay it will look good in place with the correct air-hoses, cotter-pinned cad-plated clamps over factory tape.

See below, air-hoses, fastening tape, and clamps with cotter-pins.

FWIW the air-duct hose being used is the correct original black polyester fabric hose reinforced with a spring steel wire helixes. This advanced version will not burn holes in it as it rests on the oil lines or engine block as the original ones did, it has good crush flexibility, resistance and tensile strength, so it keeps its shape nicely.

The dimensions are 3.5 x 16 inches.

The factory used binding tape to secure the air-hose to the air-box aperture before applying the clamps, and I managed to find the correct binding tape from an obscure supplier. You'll notice in earlier images that we've already made sure that the oil lines lie at an optimum level, low enough to avoid the PS hose becoming convoluted and this restricting air-flow as so often happens. With period-correct cotter-pin hose clamps, the whole setup will be nice, if I may humbly say so myself.

BTW I should say thanks to Emilio for the air-hoses - Tutto Originale!

PS - who knew discussing air-hoses could be so much fun?!
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

When we are done we will definitely weigh the car.

If I recall correctly, a few years ago Harry weighed his car and with a 1/2 tank of gas and all fluids on-board and a big wing fitted, we are talking @ 3,200 lbs?
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Here is an interesting image of a French-spec 1988.5 Countach (the same one I believe that was driven in the video with so much gusto by Henri Pescarolo around Circuit Paul Ricard when new) now sporting a 25th Anniversario sport seats.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Nice overhead shot of Paul's fabulous Downdraft.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Paul himself and Maestro Valentino with GLA12923 and other Downdrafts (Harry's and E 3 ULL) @ Silverstone a few years ago.

Speaking of Valentino, when we are all happy with the running status of GLA12997, we plan on Valentino giving it a full road-test and signing off on it, just as he did with the car in 1986 for his former boss. Ive said to him: "This is the Bosses' car, be careful!" Once that has been accomplished the plan is to reunite Patrick with the car, and have him drive it also.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

That's interesting to hear about Vale!

Thank you Chris.

 

Harry weighed his Downdraft already, and in his case with a 1/2 tank of gas and fluids and with the big wing it came in just over 3,200 lbs.

I should have clarified, I wasn't guessing entirely.

 

It could be a Swiss or Middle East-destined car also, I think.