RE: PH Buying Guide: Lamborghini Diablo
Thursday 24th February 2011
Thanks to Phil James for lending us his car to photograph for this guide (Pics: Steve Hall)The tangled spaghetti of Lamborghini's history saw the Diablo first developed under the Mimram brothers. They commissioned Marcello Gandini to style the car, but it was Chrysler's 1987-on stewardship that provided the cash to bring the Diablo to the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo for its launch in 1990. The spectacular machine arrived with a breathtaking 202mph top speed, and the ability to cover 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds - crushing performance figures that varied only slightly throughout its 11-year production life.
The V12 engine, with a history tracing back to the Miura, was still the heart of the Diablo. It arrived in 5.7-litre form with 492bhp and grew to 6.0-litres, with power peaking at 595bhp in the limited-run Jota. There were numerous revisions and upgrades to the engine and transmission throughout the Diablo's life, as well as styling changes. The most notable styling revision was the switch from pop-up to fixed headlights with the arrival of the second generation VT in 1999, making the earlier Diablo the last car on sale with pop-up headlights before legislation caused their demise. (Well almost, see thread below - Ed.)
Diablo ownership is not for the uninitiated, as there are a plethora of different models, rear- and four-wheel drive and special editions, even though overall production didn't top 3000. In fact it's reckoned just 2884 Diablos of all types were made, breaking down (sic?) thus:
Lamborghini Diablo: PH Buying Guide
Who wouldn't be tempted? Here's what to look out for if you're in the market...
Thanks to Phil James for lending us his car to photograph for this guide (Pics: Steve Hall)
Search for Lamborghini Diablos here
Lamborghini's sometimes turbulent ownership history entered calmer water in 1998 when Audi acquired the Italian firm from short-term custodians Megatech. It set about improving quality and making the most of the Diablo before it was replaced by the Murcielago in 2001.
| Model | Year | Nos. built |
| Diablo | 1990-96 | 873 |
| VT | 1993-99 | Info unavailable |
| VT-R | 1994-95 | 3 |
| SE 30 | 1994 | 135 |
| SE 30 Jota | 1994-1995 | 15 |
| SV | 1995-99 | Info unavailable |
| SV-R | 1996 | 31 |
| VT Roadster | 1996-2000 | 466 |
| SV Roadster | 1998-99 | 5 |
| GT (1&2) | 1999-2000 | 80 (Split unavailable) |
| GTR | 2000 | 30 |
| VT 6.0 | 2000-2001 | 260 |
| VT 6.0 SE | 2001 | 42 |
Click the section links below to find out more:
1) Introduction (reading now)
2) Powertrain
3) Body
4) Rolling Chassis
5) Interior
6) General Experiences
7) Insurance quotes
Search for Lamborghini Diablos here
Discussion
It is great that there are people willing to keep these alive but I still don't understand why anyone would buy one: brash, impractical, relatively slow (in anything but a straight line) and most likely painfully expensive to keep in good condition. Also, I'm sure not all owners are medallion-wearing, attention-seeking t**sers with complexes about the size of their manhood but if you don't fall into that group it must be tiring dealing with the preconceptions.
Truly an awesome car, i remember growing up with a picture of a white countach on my bedroom wall, and promising myself that one day i would own a lambo, the nearest i ever got was attempting to build a kit version of the diablo, 8 years and never got it finished. i've got the plate Dioblo on a retention just waiting for the day when i see a diablo for under 5 grand.....one day maybe.....till then, keep dreaming.
sjmoore said:
It is great that there are people willing to keep these alive but I still don't understand why anyone would buy one: brash, impractical, relatively slow (in anything but a straight line) and most likely painfully expensive to keep in good condition. Also, I'm sure not all owners are medallion-wearing, attention-seeking t**sers with complexes about the size of their manhood but if you don't fall into that group it must be tiring dealing with the preconceptions.
I don't own one but have always, always fancied a Diablo GT. Almost bought one a few years back and regret not doing so to this day. Brash, impractical, expensive to maintain, no rear window, wide, real world performance...they become irrelevant when you see one. Suddenly I just didn't give a f
k about any of that, and wanted one. Badly! I guess it's the ability to totally ignore all rational argument that defines my love of cars. As for other people's preconceptions...
These buying guides are all being book marked for 10-20 years time when I can afford one. 1st the NSX, which is my next car of choice, and now the Diablo, my ultimate dream machine, hmmmm feels like PH have infiltrated my mind, Inception style.
I've had a model of this since I was 14, that car, that colour
I've had a model of this since I was 14, that car, that colour
The 6 litre is a world apart from the 5.7
Phils purple thunder at Spa6 2007.
Shoebags fine beastie. I like to think it's a GT: very comfy car with epic soundbyte and performance to match.
Adjustable rideheight comes in handy, like here on the IJssel ferry at the Dutch Spring Run 2008. A Scooby had to get on this in reverse!
Phils purple thunder at Spa6 2007.
Shoebags fine beastie. I like to think it's a GT: very comfy car with epic soundbyte and performance to match.
Adjustable rideheight comes in handy, like here on the IJssel ferry at the Dutch Spring Run 2008. A Scooby had to get on this in reverse!
sjmoore said:
It is great that there are people willing to keep these alive but I still don't understand why anyone would buy one: brash, impractical, relatively slow (in anything but a straight line) and most likely painfully expensive to keep in good condition. Also, I'm sure not all owners are medallion-wearing, attention-seeking t**sers with complexes about the size of their manhood but if you don't fall into that group it must be tiring dealing with the preconceptions.
Absolutely love the Diablo...stunning looking car, and great sound, and they are quick around corners too, amazingly nimble despite people's preconceptions.As for the owners, I know quite a few, and they are generally absolutely great fun to be around, and self-confident enough not to worry about what other people think of them!
sjmoore said:
It is great that there are people willing to keep these alive but I still don't understand why anyone would buy one: brash, impractical, relatively slow (in anything but a straight line) and most likely painfully expensive to keep in good condition. Also, I'm sure not all owners are medallion-wearing, attention-seeking t**sers with complexes about the size of their manhood but if you don't fall into that group it must be tiring dealing with the preconceptions.
Before looking at your profile I thought. I bet he ownes a porsche.6.0
fast
reliable
good on a track
only expensive if you dont look after it.
Why keep them alive, well I guess you will never know!
And
I would happily drive mine every day
sjmoore said:
It is great that there are people willing to keep these alive but I still don't understand why anyone would buy one: brash, impractical, relatively slow (in anything but a straight line) and most likely painfully expensive to keep in good condition. Also, I'm sure not all owners are medallion-wearing, attention-seeking t**sers with complexes about the size of their manhood but if you don't fall into that group it must be tiring dealing with the preconceptions.
interesting thoughts - do you speak from experience?aren't most supercars of the era brash and impractical? at least the ones most people aspire to own
from my experience of running an early 2wd and last of line 6.0 I can say they are not painfully expensive to own - not compared to the 355 I once owned which was constantly playing up and needing paintwork
the engines are strong and proven and on the later cars at least, the build quality was vey good
I only sold mine as I wanted something more usable hence a Gallardo
^^ HOLY mother of jesus, that is just stunning, colour, wheels, spec, everything is just so so right about that particular one.
The side profile is just spot on, it really is the definition of a supercar. If you asked a non-PHer to draw what they think a super car looks like, they would probably draw something close to that.
Would love to own one, hell I wouldn't even have to drive it, I'd spend half the day looking at it and the other half revving it
sjmoore said:
It is great that there are people willing to keep these alive but I still don't understand why anyone would buy one: brash, impractical, relatively slow (in anything but a straight line) and most likely painfully expensive to keep in good condition. Also, I'm sure not all owners are medallion-wearing, attention-seeking t**sers with complexes about the size of their manhood but if you don't fall into that group it must be tiring dealing with the preconceptions.
I know the world would be a dull place if everyone liked the same thing but really?? your a member of a car website and you dont like the Diablo ? this to me is what a supercar is all about.Truffles said:
Regretting it yet?
not really - my 6.0 was too mint to useI took the Gallardo on an alpine trip last year which I know would have been a nightmare in the Diablo (narrow roads, tight turns etc)
I also have the Countach still and of the two that is the car I would prefer to own longer term
still enjoying yours??
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