Diablo

[sparky74]

I might be looking at a 1996 Diablo VT at the weekend. Does anyone own one or know what I should be looking for?

Are there any common problems?

Thanks

[XXVIII]

One of the biggest potential problems will be ensuring the car hasn't been 'with' certain dealers!!

Del Hopkins was for over 30 years the best judge of a Lamborghini in the UK and variously described by many people, including Ubaldo Sgarzi as one of the best mechanics / engineers ever to work for Lamborghini.

Del has said that in his opinion, the mid-90's VT was the best of the early pre-SV Diablos - which must mean that the car you are about to go and see has at least a fighting chance of being a good 'un!

Contact me via PH or else via email 'behind' PH and let me know who has the car now and where you are going to see it - perhaps I might be able to save you from a huge great lake of woe or confirm the car you are headed for is a good buy or perhaps be able to give you some points you might like to raise with vendor for more information.

My almost-always advice applies tho'! If the car doesn't grip you firmly by the (insert whatever works for you!) and say, unequivocally, 'buy me, have me, drive me... NOW!' then don't buy the car, not unless there's a damn good reason to, like the pistol jammed in your earhole or the girl's smile or...

atb

[ruttboy]

Give Jonathon Kaiser at Cars International a call.

He has a particularly fine example available at the moment.

www.carsinternational.com

Tell him Alan sent you.

Cheers,

Alan.

[a7see]

sparky74 said:

I might be looking at a 1996 Diablo VT at the weekend. Does anyone own one or know what I should be looking for?

Are there any common problems?

Thanks

I know one for sale at www.topgear-cars.co.uk/pages/popup.php?id=295. Owned it until last month and it is spotless. Drives better with the original wheels (17" tho but I personally like the chrome ones which are 19" at the front and 20" at the back. However, it does compromised the ride. Not had any problems during my ownership. If you really want to be picky, the electrics, like all italian cars, can be a bit temperamental, but always an easy fix for me.

[nickster]

ruttboy said:

Give Jonathon Kaiser at Cars International a call.

He has a particularly fine example available at the moment.

www.carsinternational.com

Tell him Alan sent you.

Cheers,

Alan.

Alan,is it possible to send you emails via your profile? I have sent you a few but no response.

cheers

Nick

[SIR MP]

Alan is right the Cars International Diablo is a cracker, shame about the website

MP

[sparky74]

That's the one I'm thinking about. Does anyone know any history?

Thanks.

[andysv]

i often check details with jason barker, he sold most of the diablo's so knows a bit about them still.
find him on his website.

[LAM_VT]

sparky74 said:

I might be looking at a 1996 Diablo VT at the weekend. Does anyone own one or know what I should be looking for?



Are there any common problems?



Thanks

Below are what i've experienced with my 97' VT :

• Clutch rod tends to break without warning (nothing you can do to check this though)
• Leaking clutch slave cylinder (drips on floor under clutch area)
• Leaking head gaskets (look for fresh oil on engine / on floor under engine)
• Trouble getting into one / more gears (gearbox - forget the name of the exact part that's gone when this happens)
• Knocking sound from central tunnel while doing appx 20mph (gear teeth missing)
• Melted rear bumper near exhausts / melted rear fog / reverse lights.
• Engine L / R lights on dash - Usually just sensors from my experience or it's just been washed.

Dave

[sparky74]

Thanks for the advice guys. Unfortunately I missed the boat on this one as it's now sold.



The search continues......

[wazza]

Buy a low mileage 99SV instead. I know of a lovely one for sale right now