First order of business was to clean up the fire damage (my three year old son was very perturbed that my car had "fire on it"). The old damaged areas were sanded out, saturated with resin, and glassed over.

The dashboard that the previous owner had fabricated was removed. I elected to go with a more modern look, straying far from the stock Countach's interior.

These are the old coilover kits. Notice how the sleeve was just sitting on the strut top and not on the perch like it should be. I later found out that the coilovers he was using were made for the Honda Civic. Into the trash they go!

Rear rotors were crossdrilled. They are, as far as I can tell, stock Fiero discs on the rear. My front brakes, however, are upgraded brakes off of the Grand Am, complete with upgraded master brake cylinder.

My car in the sun for the first time in a couple of months. This was the day that I installed my new Moroso electric water pump.

More bodywork. I think I will be vacuuming fiberglass dust from my garage for the next ten years.

Test fit of the authentic Lamborghini taillights. My right side lenses and relfectors were melted in the fire. I got replacement lenses off of Ebay for $90 and I used some stock steel reflectors from a tailer lighting system behind them.

The first stage of repairing the very nasty headlight modifications that the previous owner had undertaken. I found out that the buckets were simply held in place with gobs of bondo... not good.

This is a shot of the Isuzu 5spd tranny that I am currently running. The Fiero also had a Getrag tranny in the later models, but the gearing is different, resulting in higher rpm's at hwy speed. Provided that I don't beat on this transmission too hard, it will hold up just fine.

My electric water pump install. I installed a Moroso Electric water pump in place of the mechanical one that was in there previously. Problem with the mechanical pump is that the drive belt protrudes into the wheel well. I hated the thought, so I stripped out the old pump and installed this one.

This is the stance the car sat in at this time. The rear is way too high, as is the front. Overall height of the car should be around 42", not the 44" that I am seeing here.

New dash install! My dashboard is out of a 1997 Grand AM SE. I think the style fits with the Countach lines, and it looks and fits great.

The dash requires a filler panel to go in front of it, as it is too short to match up to the windshield.

A better view of the dash with the front bezel in place. The stock Fiero HVAC controls are being reused.

Headlight modifications progressing. Sheets of fiberglass were put into place, glassed over, and bondoed into shape.

Another view of the modifications.

My plan for the headlights involved installing these aftermarket headlights in the signal light recesses of the car. These are SAE/DOT approved, and are equipped with the BMW-inspired "angel eyes".

After research, I decided to add a reversed hood scoop to help remove hot air from the front rad compartment. V8 Fiero owners almost always do this modification to help with cooling.

My new coilover kits for the rear of the car. They came from the Fiero Store. They have 400lb springs to help support the weight of the V8 engine.

The new stance with the new coilovers. It still sits a bit high, but it will settle out as the car is driven.

Just a pic of me beside the car. This gives you an idea of the car's height. I'm 6'2" tall.

A shot showing the room inside. The interior of my car features a 3" dropped belly pan on the driver's side and 2" on the passenger side. If I sit comfortably in the seat, my head just barely brushes the roof.

My taillight buckets, gleaned from a trailer light set. They work well with the authentic lamborghini lenses.

Lamborghini lenses mounted for a test fit.

The underside of my car during its custom exhaust install. The center structure is the 10 gallon fuel tank standard to the Fiero. I will be filling up with gas often!

Underside of the engine. Note the dual in-line oil filters, necessary due to the placement of the starter.

Here you can see my new DynoMax muffler. The exhaust pipes run straight from the "ram's horn" manifolds to the mufflers.

A better view of the exhaust mounting.

Underside of the transmission with the long right-side axle. The Fiero has unequal length axles, making for a surfing style feel to the car under hard acceleration.

Mufflers mounted for a test fit.

Black chrome tips. The real Countach has four smaller tips. I elected to go with these larger tips as the muffler shop had them available and they looked great!

New chrome tips mounted.

VDO gauges in their new home in my custom built plate. The background is 1/4" Sintra board with brushed aluminum vinyl over top

Angel eye headlights test fit into car. Very menacing!

Car is on the way for paint!

Car as it sat just prior to bodywork.

Upper scoops after rebuild. The strakes were rebuilt using 3/8" x 1" aluminum bar.

Body panels stripped for paint and body work.

Upper scoops mounted for test fit after priming.

The car is looking more and more like a... car! High quality primer applied after the body was stipped down the the gelcoat to rid it of the cheap paint and primer that was already on it.

Body lines are starting to look really good!

FIrst spots of color appear! The door jambs are done first.

Easter present for me. These following shots were taken on Easter Sunday after my painter, Matt, pulled an all-nighter to get it done for me!

Looks like glass, and its not even power-polished yet!

It looks like a new car. I don't even recognize it.

The sleek Countach lines are coming into existence!

Mirror finish, and great lines to the doors.

Hood scoop opening prior to the installation of the steel mesh that will cover it. The car is finally home in the garage and is ready for final assembly!

Front bumper and ground effects installed.

Note the mesh behind the vents and the Camaro headlights in place for running lights.

Upper scoops and spoiler have been mounted. 1/8" thick foam tape was used under each of the pieces to avoid rubs and keep things tight.

Detail of the fake popup headlights. Prior to painting, I scribed the outline with a dremel. After it was painted, I installed 1/8" thick pinstriping in the channel.

Headlights mounted for the final time.

Angel eyes connected!

Marker lights on. The Angel Eyes come on with the key... a sort of daytime running light.

Low beam headlights on.

Very cool. Note the cardboard on the windshield opening. I was creating the templates for my glass when this was shot.

Mufflers reinstalled.

This is probably my favorite angle for the car. This is what made me fall in love with it the first time I saw it... 28" of rubber under 80" of car.

The car is looking more complete now.. just waiting for glass.

I am thinking that I want to put some clear Lexan covers over the headlights to more closely mimic the real Countach. Once I get the last of the hiccups out of the car, I'll move onto the cosmetics.

This is the center cap that I built for my steering wheel. It turned out really well and sets of the interior nicely.

Rear view camera installed just under the license plate. The camera offers 120 degree field of view and is useable in day or night time conditions.

My upholstered center console. I got this done professionally with red stitching to match my steering wheel. The shifter boot comes from an AC Cobra replica and I got it off of ebay for $12.

My door and trunk release switches, mounted in my overhead console that I gleaned from a Dodge Caravan.

Interior is coming along. Carpet is installed, dash is in place, head unit is wired in...

My Pioneer AVIC-N3 head unit with GPS, DVD, MP3, and backup camera. It also has a built in vehicle dynamics computer which can tell me my acceleration, velocity, orientation, slope, and tons more.

This is a shot of my rotten rad that was plaging me with overheatin issues. I've got a brand new 5 core aluminum rad now!

Update for my overheating issue. RESOLVED! Turns out that my rad fan and shroud were to blame. Check out the new rad fan and shroud along with my precision fit chin spoiler to scoop cold air into the rad at speed!

Scoop is made from 1/4" Sintra board.

The lower lip protrudes about 3" below the front ground effect.

New rad shroud is in place. This one is way quieter than my aftermarket fan, and produces way more flow.

The brown rubber sheeting is designed to stop air from entering around the sides of the rad and increasing the air pressure there.