The engine compartment was then painted flat black, while the top of the engine and valve covers were painted Viper Yellow to match the body's exterior color, and yellow vacuum hoses and spark plug wires were installed. Next, the EI crew replaced or rebuilt the shocks, struts, brakes, and whatever other parts they felt necessary. The EI crew then fabricated a custom trunk with a carpeted interior.
A Viper Yellow paint job, custom 25th insignia steering wheel, and a black leather upholstery job (with yellow stitching) was next, as were custom Lamborghini insignia gauges and shifter knob. A round replica H-pattern gate shifter, replica black and yellow 25th Anniversary doorsills, black and yellow embroidered floor mats, and Lamborghini brake and clutch pedals were also added. A replica Countach interior dome light and ashtray, authentic-looking replica Lamborghini climate control, Alpine mobile multimedia station and speakers, and a stock replica EI dash finished off the interior. Even a yellow and chrome fire extinguisher and an alarm system with remote entry were installed by the EI crew. But the project wasn't done yet.
Hidden under the replica Lambo A/C controls is an Alpine CVA 1003 Mobile Multimedia AM/FM receiver that has a retractable, fully motorized 6.5-inch monitor. It displays system information and provides a great picture for DVD movies. It has a Mosfet45 internal amp with Bass Engines that provide pinpoint tone shaping. The Bass Engines have bass and treble center frequency controls, bass width adjustment, plus sub-woofer level controls.
The Alpine system also includes a MaxTune SQ tuner for top-notch AM and FM reception. It also has CD/MP3/DVD changer controls, XM Satellite Radio controls, auxiliary A/V inputs, navigation inputs, preamp outputs, 19.5 watts RMS/45 peak x 4 channels, and FM sensitivity 9.3 dBF. If you don't follow all that, just know this system thumps!
An Alpine CHA-S634 CD/MP3 changer was installed behind the passenger seat, and if you want to play video games inside the car, you can connect a game console or camcorder using a set of A/V inputs on the front panel. It plays DVD, CD, MP3 discs and video CDs.
Next, an OEM curved windshield, OEM taillights, a replica wiper arm, replica emblems, and a pair of OEM electric Vitaloni turbo mirrors (painted Viper Yellow) were installed, as was an OEM black silencer grille (under the bumper for exhaust), an OEM black grille on the rear bumper, OEM license-plate lights, and original Lamborghini round flip-up light under the hood were also installed. For rollers, 17-inch replica Lamborghini rims by VT modular wheels (with replica O.Z. Racing wheel decals and Lamborghini script chrome value stems) were bolted-up, and finally, monster Michelin Pilot 335/35-17 rear tires and 225/40-17 front tires completed the two-year project.
In closing, Demetrios may be a little rough around the edges, but he tells you like it is. He is not going to blow smoke up your nose, or anywhere else. One builder I talked back in April 2003 said he could build the ultimate Countach, and it would cost between $65,000 to $85,000. He also said he would have pictures for me by June of 2003, and I am still waiting! When I took our car to the 2005 Carlisle show, I was really impressed by the number of individuals who came up to Demetrios and said, "Hey you were right . . . I should have listened to you from the beginning," and "Hey, I heard about your reputation, can you build me . . .?"
After hearing those comments, we knew we had done it right-and we'd done it with the right guy.