1997 Lamborghini Diablo VT Coupé

• Right-hand drive, UK delivered car
• Well cared for
• Circa 40,076 kilometres (approximately 24,900 miles) from new
• MoT to September 2024

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 more power and a lower drag coefficient than the Countach, the Diablo easily eclipsed its forebear, exceeding 200mph (322km/h) on test. More importantly, its acceleration and top speed 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.

Four-wheel drive Diablo VT and Targa-style open roadster versions soon followed. 'VT' stood for Viscous Traction, a reference to the coupling in the drive train that split power between the front and rear wheels. Only the rear wheels were driven under normal circumstances, but if traction was lost up to 25% of the available power would be fed to the front wheels.

This stunning right-hand drive Diablo VT was first registered 19th September 1997 (as 'R242 NTF') to a Mr Julian Palmer of Surrey, and had enjoyed a further four owners before being acquired by the current vendor in September 2013 with 36,355 kilometres showing on the odometer. The current total at the time of cataloguing is 40,076 kilometres (approximately 24,900 miles). The Lamborghini is described by our vendor as in excellent condition, the bodywork having been looked after by Clark Aitken Detailing & PPF, and servicing and repairs carried out by GWR. A new battery and new rear tyres were fitted prior to the most recent MoT test in September 2023. Finished in black with grey leather interior, the car comes complete with all books, tools and a fire extinguisher, and is offered with a history file of bills, MoTs, etc. The valuable registration '555 GW' is included in the sale.