Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5

In place on the original engine of GLA12888 which recently came out at the commencement of the car's restoration.

Note USA/Middle East/Swiss spec headers affixed, soon to be history, there is only one place those belong.
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If you look closely at the engine used for the FIA Homologation, it has the starter shroud.
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One of my favorite Countach shots is the overhead angle, hope to do a series of these at some point.
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IMHO, there is no credible reason for any mechanic or owner to to run a Countach without a starter shroud - it serves a critical purpose, that much is obvious!

I would also advise anyone running without one to either source an original one or have one properly made up to spec and professionally installed - its worth the time & trouble. The unit is a simple component affixed by 2 tabs to the block and a pair of copper rivets to the shield.

Without speculation, I'll find out exactly what material/s it is made out of by taking a close look at GLA12888's now that it is out of the car.

 

Moving along, somebody is selling a NOS Downdraft engine cover:

Lamborghini Countach Factory Engine lid NOS Carb 4 valve car | eBay
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Of note this engine cover above on EBay was built to accept a single strut.

 

Here is GLA12888 on the other hand with twin struts.
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The difficult period for Lamborghini was when the 4-liter Countachs were being built. By the time the 5 liter cars were in production, the factory was flourishing & profitable, with several models in production. So QV production was generally unaffected by lack of parts.

That said, anything is possible with Lamborghini in the era of the Countach.

Speaking of the QV, the seats should have sliding forward-rearward plus rocking adjustment, I can't remember if the passenger seat had the rocking adjustment (I'll check ours), but it certainly had the sliding adjustment.
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A HUGE Thank You to Snapper 7 for scanning these images from a time in the late 80s when these Downdrafts were nearly-new, priceless images that bring back many memories for me, and others I'm sure.

This first set is FLA12878, when it was owned by Steve Forster whose initials are seen on its personalized 'plate.
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This next set is of Mike Taylor's Jersey-registered HLA12155.

You'll note the exhaust shield is unpainted as Ive asserted earlier in the thread.
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Another Downdraft I remember is this Nero Tenebre car UK-registered D 921 FYX.

Note correct white badges.

In the 2nd image that's Mike Taylor getting into his car, which he collected at the factory on EE plates.
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Speaking of EE plates, here's one coming down pit lane at the old Goodwood circuit. He collected the car at Sant Agata, and drove from Italy to the UK, and the first weekend he took the car to the track - this is the car currently owned by Anthony Bentley
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This is ZA9C005A0JLA12414, so this must be sometime after its August 3rd 1988 registration date.
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Brian Strudwick's Jersey-registered 88.5 Downdraft, I recall he drive down from the UK to Sant Agata Italy for the 25th Anniversary celebrations and got pulled over in Italy going some terrific speed.

That's Mike Taylor leaning into the passenger door.
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This is Vahe Melkonian's Bianco Polo Park/Bianco 88.5 Downdraft UK-registered E 181 LYY on chassis number ZA9C005A0JLA12283, first registered February the 2nd 1988.

I think he did @ 10,000 kms in that first year of ownership.
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Special factory plaque on the glovebox door?
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I don't know the chassis number of this Bianco Perlato/Bianco (with white caulking) one offhand, but I do recall it.

Another that shows unpainted exhaust shield if you look closely
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I vaguely remember E 825 LYU.

Heat-shield unpainted.
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