Tony’s Take: When it comes to investing in a collector car, buy a vehicle with the lowest possible mileage but, more important, the lowest possible production number. In other words, rarity is its own reward.
Lamborghini blessed the world with 466 Diablo Roadsters. Roughly half found their way to the U.S. market.
With a production run of just 45, this pre-air bag Roadster VT is one of the rarest Diablo Roadsters smart money can buy. It’s not just about the money, though…
The Diablo Roadster VT is one of the fastest open top exotics of its time, and not entirely impractical. You can remove the Lambo’s top and place it into the storage position behind the seats way faster than stashing a drop-top from a Ferrari or Maserati of its time.
And once you do… Talk about wind-in-your-hair exotic car heaven!
With its hand-built 5.7-liter V12 engine growling and screaming behind your head – a powerplant pumping out 492 horsepower and 580 lb-ft of torque – the DVT rockets from zero to 60 in 4.5 seconds.
If you’re brave enough, if you have enough road or a private airstrip to play on, you can double speed that plus two (202 mph). What’s not to love?
The Carfax listing a mileage discrepancy. Shhhh! Don’t tell anyone, but that’s an odometer-in-kilometers documentation error, easily rectified with a call or two to Carfax.
Well-heeled Millennials and Gen X’ers have really taken to the Lamborghini Countach, sending prices skywards. With just 200 Diablo Roadsters in the American wild adding see-and-be-seen appeal to legendary designer Marcello Gandini’s magic, I’m sure you can appreciate that this car is bound to appreciate, especially when the recession receeds.
Design
Marcello Gandini
Headlights in first Gen 1996 – 1998 roadsters are pop up while the second gen cars are fixed
(Pop up lights are so much cooler)
- Introduction of the first open-top variant in the Diablo series.
- Redesigned angular front bumper with updated fog and indicator lights.
- All-new rear bumper.
- Modified engine cover.
- Enlarged air intakes over the rear wheels.
- Introduction of SE30-style vertical slats for rear brake cooling ducts.
- Weather-proof interior materials.
- Exclusive OZ three-piece wheels.
- Carbon fiber roof can be taken off in mer secods and is fitted to over the engine cover.
- Early Car have no passanger airbag but have a oh crap handle on the dash
Engine
- Powered by a potent 5.7L V12 engine.
- Utilized a viscous traction four-wheel-drive system.
- Offered impressive performance and control.
Performance
- Utilized a viscous traction four-wheel-drive system.
- This system enhanced the car’s traction and stability, especially during acceleration and cornering.
- The combination of the powerful engine and all-wheel-drive system resulted in impressive performance figures.
- The Diablo VT Roadster could achieve high speeds and rapid acceleration, making it a formidable supercar on the road.
- It offered exceptional handling and driving dynamics, providing an exhilarating driving experience.
Production
- Shared the platform with the VT coupe.
- Availability of a convertible roof.
- Mechanical similarity to the VT coupe, with enhancements for open-top driving.
| Production | Number |
|---|---|
| 1996 Pre-airbag | 45 |
| 1997-98 | 90 |
| 1999 2nd Gen | 90 |
| Total U.S. Roadster | 225 |
ENGINE SPECS – 5.7 V12 5MT (492 HP)
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Cylinders | V12 |
| Displacement | 5707 cm³ |
| Power | 362 kW @ 7000 RPM |
| 492 HP @ 7000 RPM | |
| 485 BHP @ 7000 RPM | |
| Torque | 428 lb-ft @ 5200 RPM |
| 580 Nm @ 5200 RPM | |
| Fuel System | Multipoint Injection |
| Fuel | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Top Speed | 206 mph (332 km/h) |
| Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph) | 4.5 seconds |
TRANSMISSION SPECS
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Drive Type | All Wheel Drive |
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Front | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear | Ventilated Discs |
Tires
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Tire Specs | 235/35 ZR17 335/30 ZR18 |
DIMENSIONS
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 175.5 in (4458 mm) |
| Width | 80.3 in (2040 mm) |
| Height | 43.5 in (1105 mm) |
| Front/rear Track | 60.6/64.6 in (1,539/1,641 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 in (2670 mm) |
| Ground Clearance | 5.5 in (140 mm) |
| Cargo Volume | 4.9 cu ft (139 L) |
| Aerodynamics (Cd) | 0.31 |
WEIGHT SPECS
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Unladen Weight | 3583 lbs (1625 kg) |
| Gross Weight Limit | 4177.7 lbs (1895 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| City | 9 mpg US (26.1 L/100Km) |
| Highway | 14 mpg US (16.8 L/100Km) |
| Combined | 11 mpg US (21.4 L/100Km) |
Rienzi Report Score:
| Title |  |
| Carfax | |
| Miles |  |
| Paint Condition | |
| Stewardship 8 owners | |
| Service History | |
| Desired Color | |
| Equipment | |
| Unmodified | |
| Tire Condition | |
| Rienzi Report Score | 94.3 |
Previous Transaction for Gen 1 cars
| VEHICLE | SELLER | DATE | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | We Are Curated | For Sale | (Call For Pricing) |
| 1998 | Mecum | Mar 31, 2023 | $265,000 |
| 1998 | Mecum | Aug 20, 2022 | $330,000 |
| 1997 | Broad Arrow | Aug 18, 2022 | $335,000 |
| 1997.5 | Bring a Trailer | May 30, 2022 | $315,000 |
| 1998 | Bring a Trailer | May 17, 2022 | $453,000 |
| 1998 | RM Sotheby’s | Mar 26, 2022 | $467,500 |
| 1997 | Collecting Cars | Mar 20, 2022 | £186,500 ($245,422) |
| 1996 | Mecum | Mar 19, 2022 | $332,750 |
| Make | Lamborghini |
| Model | Diablo Roadster VT |
| Year | 1996 |
| VIN | ZA9RU37P6TLA12522 |
| Total Produced | 45 Pre air bag for the U.S. 135 1st Gen U.S. cars Total from 96 -98 |
| Number of Owners | 8 |
| Mileage | 23k |
| Condition | ★ ★ ★ ★ |
| Price When New | $286,300 Inflation Calculator |
| Highest Previous Price | $332,750 ( Mar 19, 2022) |
| Auction House | B.A.T. |
| Auction Date | September 11 at 1:00pm |
| My Prediction | (Stay Tuned) |
| Hammered At |
