Description
This is lot number 115 in the Bonhams Zoute sale on October 6th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Rare Belgian-delivery example
'Argento Mist Metallic' (silver) over Nero (black) interior
Mighty 5. 7-litre V12 engine and five-speed manual gearbox
Registered in the first owner's name with valid technical inspection
Belgian 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 55% more torque than the Countach. With more power and less aerodynamic drag than the Countach, the Diablo easily eclipsed its forebear, exceeding 322km/ h on test. More importantly, its performance 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.
This example was built in Sant'Agata Bolognese in 1992 and delivered new through Belgian Lamborghini importer Sterca to its sole owner, our vendor, who first registered the car on 23rd December 1992; it cost a staggering BEF9, 000, 000, equivalent to 220, 000 at the time! This Series 1 (S1) example is the 846th car built out of the total Diablo production of 3, 000 examples (1990-2001) as confirmed by Lamborghini historian Olivier Nameche. Ordered new in Argento Mist Metallic over Nero interior, the vendor remembers the process of purchasing the car new through Mr. Marc Sourie of Sterca Lamborghini Benelux very well. On file are photographs of the Lamborghini taken at various events. Always kept at the owner's house, the Diablo has been maintained by his local mechanic, who has also looked after his Ferrari 412 manual "Carat" from new. Consequently, the service book is not stamped and no receipts have been kept.
Used as a 'weekend car' throughout its life and only taken out on special occasions, the Lamborghini has been re-registered many times and has never been out of use, passing the technical inspection every year. Seeing relatively little use recently, the Diablo has always been kept in its own dedicated 'car corner' accommodation - practically in the living room - in the centre of the owner's house. An opportunity not to be missed, this unique car comes with the following:
Original service book and manual
Old technical inspection documents
Current technical inspection document valid until end of 2024
Belgian registration documents
Lamborghini Certificate of Conformity
Lamborghini historian Olivier Nameche certificate
