Countach Downdraft 1985 to 1988.5

Some of the day's adventures were captured by a privateer drone https://www.instagram.com/p/BfR8-TmAltn/?hl=en&tagged=countach whose IG poster failed to explain why the Lamborghini was driving with the passenger door open

 

Yesterday

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HLA12065, you can just about see the gold metal flake in the metallic Rosso Perlato paint

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The first owner of HLA12065 would be very happy to see how his former Countach is well-cared for.

 

The sound quality could be better, but that Countach does not sound healthy.

As time goes on, I find that all the goofy DOT stuff (side-markers, rear panels, front bumpers etc) really takes away from the aesthetics of any Countach.

 

Laguna Beach, night cruising

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Not enough, judging by the sound.

Hope you guys are doing well and you're taking care of that Rosso Siviglia beauty.

The cars do get better with some use, and that's not just saying.

That night shot was my son & I returning home late from a long day's driving shoot, snapped by my wife who was following to make sure we behaved!

On the shoot, at the cameraman's command to secure a good shot, I stepped out of the car right into a puddle of mud at the side of the road, and then had to get right back into the car and drive it to finish our shoot before the light faded! Consequently the driver's carpet was covered in mud & dirt and I've just spent today cleaning out the footwell and the carpet. Looks better now, next up, the dusty cars will get a bath, hopefully this weekend, rinse & repeat.

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In fact it only reads 316.8 @ the wheels (@ 372 bhp).

Perhaps more interesting is that the torque max is only 270.4 lb.ft.

A Downdraft with standard factory compression ratio 9.5:1 using the standard 6 Weber 44 DCNF carburetors will develop @ 385 @ the crank which means 449 bhp @ 7000 rpm @ the wheels, with a torque max of 369 lb·ft at 5200 rpm.

This car is @ 77 bhp and a whole 99 lb.ft lower than optimum performance, I daresay it may require more than just a full valve adjustment to make up the difference.

I took a second look at the video you posted and I see it was originally posted to YouTube @ 5 plus years ago in 2012, the car has an aftermarket exhaust, has Texas plates, and still sports the yellow Vitaloni stickers on the door mirrors, I think I know this one.

Getting optimum performance out of a Countach appears to be a black art of sorts, and my experience over the years has been that many cars develop significantly less than peak performance.

 

Josh S's GLA12927 @ Dugan Specialties this week, it's one of four Downdrafts there for restoration or maintenance

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Bianco/Bianco 1985 Downdraft discovery

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Pictured outside, dirty & dusty

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Another one rescued, its all there, I believe the white steering wheel and shift knob are factory, so no mods to contend with it just needs TLC, apparently already sold.

 

FLA12824, alongside Ferrari Supercars, the angle of this image highlights it's original big wing

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HLA12150 with familiar friends

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Looks like that'll hold a Motorola Dynatac 8500X circa 1986 (below)

Freeze, Miami Vice!

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