To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Abu Dhabi event, 30
November 2019.
Estimate:
$700,000 - $750,000
- The 73rd of only 80 examples built
- European-delivery example, delivered through Garage R.
Affolter
- Accompanied by its original manuals and toolkit
- Finished in Black Rage over a two-tone black-and-yellow
interior
The GT was the last hurrah for the Diablo series, a limited-edition
variant more closely aligned with Lamborghini's GT2 racing
programme than any road-going sibling. Far more than just a final
edition fitted with some popular options, the GT was a ground-up
rebuild to create a car so extreme that Lamborghini proudly
proclaimed it to be the 'fastest production car in the world' at
its launch at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show.
For the power train, the Lamborghini factory fettled the naturally
aspirated V-12 from the Diablo SV. It started by stroking it from
80 mm to 84 mm, thereby increasing displacement from 5.7 to 6.0
litres, and then it sprinkled it with motorsport-grade components.
A completely revised intake system was designed, featuring
individual throttle bodies for each cylinder to unlock razor-sharp
pedal response, themselves gulping air from a bespoke carbon-fibre
plenum which drew air directly from the roof-mounted snorkel
intake. Deeper inside the engine, new intake and exhaust camshafts
were utilised alongside an improved variable valve timing system,
while the conrods were strengthened and formed from titanium, the
crankshaft lightened, and the exhaust system fettled. The engine
management system was commensurately reprogrammed to take advantage
of the upgrades, and the results were prodigious: 575 bhp, 630 Nm
of torque, and a top speed of 338 km/h. Naturally, the
all-wheel-drive system was also removed for weight saving purposes,
and the Diablo GT is driven by its rear wheels via an open-gate
five-speed manual transmission. Even its gear lever is canted ever
so slightly forwards for better access and faster changes.
The chassis and bodywork were comprehensively overhauled as well.
Made almost exclusively from carbon fibre, it featured a new front
air dam with a larger air intake and widened front wings to
accommodate the increase in front track and revised suspension
geometry. The bonnet also was altered to incorporate a vent to help
pull air through the new, larger nose-mounted oil cooler. At the
rear, an enormous diffuser and unique rear wing dominate, the
former necessitating a redesign of rear light units to incorporate
the reverse and fog lights. So radical were the alterations that
the only shared body components with other Diablos are the roof and
signature scissor doors. The interior was very much a continuation
of the racing theme, with a plethora of carbon fibre and new,
smaller steering wheel hinting at the potential on offer.
This is number 73 of the 80 examples produced and is specified in
Black Rage with an eye-catching black-and-yellow interior. It was
shipped new to Garage R. Affolter in Switzerland, where it was
purchased new in September of 2001 by an individual residing in
Moscow. The car remained there until late 2015 before being
transported to Spain to Lamborghini Madrid, where it received a
full service. Since then it has been in southern Spain before being
purchased by the current owner in 2016. It is entirely original
aside from an upgraded stereo and is noteworthy for its low
mileage, with its odometer showing 6,600 km at the time of
cataloguing, and for having the optional standard Diablo seats,
which are perhaps more desirable than the uncompromising racing
bucket seats fitted as standard. It is accompanied by its original
owner's manuals in a leather folio and factory-supplied
toolkit.
This is the ultimate incarnation of the Lamborghini Diablo, in very
fine condition�one for even the most discerning supercar collection
or as an incredible weekend toy.
Please note the temporary import symbol incorrectly references the
EU. It should reference the UAE.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/ad19.