Lamborghini Diablo

Few believed that Lamborghini could ever top the Countach, the embodiment of eighties excess. Its successor, the Diablo was at the same time softer edged yet harder hitting, and during its twelve year life span exemplified the state of the supercar art. Always outrageous, always looking for more power, Lamborghini knew that as Ferraris became ever more civilised, they were carving a more secure niche for themselves. A used Diablo will require deep pockets, steady resolve and an owner who can live with its foibles. The definitive supercar? When that V12 bellows in anger, its about as definitive as youll ever need.
All Diablos are spectacularly, almost wilfully, impractical. If youre much over 62", the Roadster will be your weapon of choice, as it offers improved headroom. Even 67" basketball star Dennis Rodman reckoned he could get comfortable in his and that was with the targa panel in place. The early cars have an interior thats not the last word in sophistication. The huge instrument binnacle wouldnt have looked out of place in a JetRanger helicopter and was the brainchild of Chrysler boss Bob Lutz. Apparently, Lutz wanted the binnacle to move with an adjustable steering column, but engineering this feature was beyond Lamborghini.
Later models have a sinuous sweep to the dashboard inlaid with ostentatious lashings of carbon fibre that are far more agreeable. The swing up doors, the stubby bonnet, the V12 roar and the non-existent rear visibility are all Diablo trademarks. The Diablo GT in fact made a feature of the cars lack of rear view by fitting a camera into the rear wing, relaying pictures to a dash mounted monitor. If you were looking for a tip, wed advise you to opt for the newest car you can afford as a number of developments and teething troubles were gradually ironed out of the Diablos makeup as time went by. Believe it or not, its possible to pick up a well-looked after 1991 Diablo for around £45,000 about the price of a new Mercedes SLK32AMG. A 1994 M-registered Diablo VT Coupe will retail at around £60,000. The super-rare SE30 edition changes hands rarely, but youd need to budget around £80,000 for a 1995 M-plate model. The desirable SV model on a 1996 P registration starts at around £70,000 which is about the same price youd pay for an equivalent year VT roadster. Weve yet to see a Diablo GT changing hands in the UK, although a clean model year 2001 Diablo 6.0 is currently worth around £120,000. Bear in mind that these figures are averages only and the condition, provenance and service record of any given Diablo is often more important than its age. Insurance is, somewhat academically, Group 20.