Descrição
This is lot number 137 in the Bonhams Bonmont Auction on June 30th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
• Delivered new to France
• Stunning colour combination
• Present (third) owner since 2014
• Resident in Switzerland since 2014
• Extensive service history
• Excellent condition
• Cancelled Swiss registration document
After 17 years in production, the legendary Countach was replaced by the Diablo, which on its arrival was the fastest, most advanced and most expensive Lamborghini ever built. First exhibited publicly at Monaco in January 1990, the Diablo improved on its illustrious predecessor in every way, setting a new benchmark in supercar design. Nobody can have been surprised to learn that it had been styled by Marcello Gandini, the man responsible for the Lamborghini Miura and Countach, for the family resemblance was obvious.
Stretched to 5. 7 litres for the Diablo, Lamborghini's 48-valve V12 engine gained fuel injection for the first time, producing a maximum of 492bhp. With more power and a lower drag coefficient than the Countach, the Diablo easily eclipsed its forebear, exceeding 200mph (322km/ h) on test. More importantly, its acceleration and top speed figures were marginally better than those of the Ferrari F40. Although one of the world's most expensive cars, the Diablo was not a limited edition model like the latter but a series production car with a luxuriously appointed interior reflecting its designers' intention to produce a civilised Gran Turismo as suited to city streets and motorways as the racetrack.
Four-wheel drive Diablo VT and Targa-style open roadster versions soon followed. 'VT' stood for Viscous Traction, a reference to the coupling in the drive train that split power between the front and rear wheels. Only the rear wheels were driven under normal circumstances, but if traction was lost up to 25% of the available power would be fed to the front wheels.
One of an estimated 100 built, this very rare Diablo VT Roadster belongs to the desirable second generation that featured fixed covered headlights (earlier models had pop-up lights). The car was delivered new by JB Automobiles in Paris, France on 23rd February 2000 and originally finished in black with beige leather interior (since changed to red).
Sold to Germany in 2006 and bought by the current (third) owner in 2014, since when it has resided in Switzerland, the Diablo comes with a Lamborghini Certificate of Conformity dated 24th February 2000 and a report from well-known Lamborghini historian, Olivier Nameche. The Diablo also comes with extensive service history, there being seven stamps in the service book dating from 24th February 2000 at 2, 001km to 20th October 2020 at 59, 166km. Having covered fewer than 63, 500km from new, the car has always been very well taken care of, as evidenced by the numerous invoices on file. An exceptionally rare opportunity, not to be missed by any serious collector, this beautiful Diablo VT Roadster is offered with a cancelled Swiss Carte Grise; the previous original German registration document; two keys; and the service/ warranty card book and owner's handbook in a Lamborghini leather pouch.
