Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5

Of course we left the Swiss-spec lighting arrangement in place - much to Vale's consternation.
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Front-end all finished!
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The engine only requires Weber tuning and the application of the air-box and ancillaries.
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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.
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Every single bolt is treated with care and the attention to detail is extraordinary!

I like it so much.

 

that colour just pops.

 

What a beautiful engine bay Joe. Too bad the air box hides the carbs. It sure would look good with horns.

 

A restoration in a year is amazing, on any car, let alone a Countach. That's a lot of ground to cover, especially at this level. Well done Joe!

 

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.
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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?!
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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?
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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.
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Nice overhead shot of Paul's fabulous Downdraft.
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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.
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Funny, he asked me if I was going to keep the Swiss-spec lighting arrangement as well when I saw him at the Lamborghini Festival.

Joe - the restoration is top notch, to say the least, though I'd expect nothing less.

 

That's interesting to hear about Vale!

Thank you Chris.

 

weight? im guessing ~3600 lbs

 

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.

 

I have just posted the weight details of my all steel car on the Silhouette thread. It will be interesting to see how they compare...

 

Joe,your car/project is amazing,top notch, and most importantly,a big inspiration for all Countach owners out there, also extremely informative , You should publish it as a nice Coffe table book,bright colors and glossy. I would love to have one. I noticed in the picture,no air pump, is that a common dd thing?

 

Just realized this is a USA spec Downdraft motor! WOW.

Am I right? The gold emissions test tubes?

 

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