Description
It was 1990 when the world was introduced to the new model from Sant’Agata, as the successor to the then sixteen-year-old Countach. In 1987, development of the model started to get underway, when Chrysler took over the company for around 25 million dollars. Marcello Gandini has had an idea ready for a while now, called Project 132, but Chrysler thinks it is too dated and too sharply defined at the time and pushes Gandini into the background. Chrysler’s own Tom Gale of the Chrysler Styling Center may revive the project to come up with a smoother and more subdued version of Gandini’s project.
In 1990, the Diablo was ready to be shown to the public during the second Lamborghini Day at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo.
The folding headlights, the upwardly hinged doors and the extremely thick rear end make everyone present’s jaw drop considerably, followed by applause.
Under the long tailgate a 5. 7 litre V12 with two overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a simple computer-controlled multipoint fuel injection. Ability? An incredible 492 hp plus 580 Nm of torque at the time. This means that the 1, 576-kilo Lambo races to 100 in 4. 5 seconds. It is the brand’s first car to pass the magical limit of 200 miles per hour. The porridge is only finished at 202 miles per hour, or 325 km/ h. There is no need to scroll through the options list forever. Standard are fully adjustable seats and steering wheel, electric windows, an Alpine radio (who needs that in a Diablo?!) and power steering from 1993. Exactly, the first three years it comes down to muscular arms. You understand: such an early variant without tools is ‘the one to have’.
That is exactly the variant we offer here, delivered on October 24, 1991, in Toulouse, France and recently received a Dutch license plate. Despite its height of only 1. 10 meters, you cannot overlook the supercar: canary yellow paint, an enormous rear wing and an interior made of black leather: an absolute attention-grabber, this Diablo.
The bodywork is beautiful, the paint is in very good condition. In a word, the Lamborghini looks great, with of course the original multi-piece wheels. What an impressive car it is. Built at a time when pedestrian concessions, following an ‘average taste of the target group’ was not yet seen as leading. No, an extremely designed car as it should be in the eyes of Lamborghini.
The interior is also completely without compromise. The wide centre tunnel, the large dome behind the steering wheel that accommodates all the important instruments. The fact that it is an early Diablo means that the meters are still disastrously difficult to read and are largely covered by the steering wheel. The small, almost anonymous steering wheel, inviting you to grip it very firmly as the enormous V12 is allowed to show what it is capable of. Everything radiates that this car is capable of masterful performance. At the same time, the car also radiates that it has always been cherished. Black leather upholstery can quickly start to look used, but everything on this Diablo is still in beautiful condition.
If there is one thing that is important when purchasing a Diablo, it is the state of the technology. Well, with this Lamborghini you don’t have to worry about that. The Diablo recently received major maintenance, during which both the engine, the brakes and more were addressed. Invoices are available with the car. The 492 hp V12 is truly fantastic and not only beautiful to look at but also thrilling to the ears. The Pirelli tires, 245 mm wide at the front and even 335 at the rear, are also in optimal condition.
The result is stunning, an amazing Diablo, in a beautiful colour scheme. A beloved early version that is ready for a new chapter in his exciting boys’ book. This boys’ book comes complete with invoices, and original booklets in the original suede folder. You probably won’t find a better copy.
