1996 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster

Though Lamborghini had created the supercar market with its Miura, the follow-on design known as the Countach, in the minds of many, would become the face of Lamborghini. For a period of 17 years, the Countach had been Lamborghini. However, by the 1990s, Lamborghini needed a fresh look, but one with the same kind of hellish performance that had made the Countach famous. Lamborghini's response was to create the devil himself.

Fittingly, the name 'Diablo', which does mean 'devil' would not be an actual reference to the person referenced in the Bible but to a type of legendary bull raised by the Duke of Veragua. How fitting for the company with the fighting bull badge.

The Diablo actually began as just some sketches during the mid-1980s as the engineers at Lamborghini realized there would be a day when they would need to replace the Countach as the company's icon.

Then, in 1990, Lamborghini would debut its new replacement for the famous Countach. The body-styling of the Diablo would retain hints of its famed predecessor. The reason for this was due to the fact Lamborghini had a somewhat different goal for its new car—speed.

The Countach, in many respects, still worked. The design was good; it just needed a more modern touch. Therefore, for the Diablo to really set itself apart the company placed before itself the goal of a car capable of achieving a 315Km/h top speed. In the end, even despite Chrysler's insistence upon a supercar focusing more on passenger comfort than on performance, with the help of an enlarged 5.7-liter V12 and multi-point fuel injection, the new Diablo would pass its top speed goal and would end up reaching a speed of more than 325Km/h. The zero to 60 time was barely over 4 seconds.

Sales of the Diablo would be strong and steady. However, to retain such numbers Lamborghini would continue to introduce evolutions of the chassis. One of those evolutions the company would introduce would be a model with all-wheel drive. However, the ultimate evolution of the Diablo was to still to come.

In 1993, Lamborghini would introduce a new model Diablo. This model variant would be called the 'VT' and its meaning would be straight-forward and poignant—Viscous Traction. Completed with all-wheel drive, four-piston Brembo brakes, computerized suspension, Koni shock absorbers and a traction-control system, the Diablo VT was meant to grip and handle like no other Lamborghini before it.

However, the Diablo VT wouldn't be all about performance. In 1995, after some trouble, the Roadster version of the VT would go into production. This would combine aesthetically-pleasing lines with the incredible performance and handling of the car to create the absolute best road-going experience for the driver.

One of those senses-busting Diablo VT Roadsters would be chassis ZA9RU37P9TLA12546. Built in 1996 and finished in the familiar Rosso Targo with tan leather interior, this particular Diablo VT Roadster was the most expensive car money could buy when it went on sale in 2006. The reasons for that were simple: the car could reach speeds in excess of 200mph and boasted of acceleration and top speed figures slightly better than the Ferrari F40. This certainly would have made Ferruccio Lamborghini proud.

Complete with the rear spoiler that added $4,500 to the price, this Diablo VT would also include such optional equipment as an Alpine stereo, a CD-changer and subwoofer. Of course, whether one could hear the music over the sound of the V12 was just a minor detail the owner would have to deal with.

Since the day it left the factory in Sant'Agata Bolognese, a mere 23,100 miles have been put on the car. And despite the fact the car is nearer a couple of decades in age, the car still maintains its ability to touch 200mph and to relocate internal organs with its impressive acceleration, braking and handling.

Offered at the 2013 Bonhams auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona, this Roadster, complete with a 492bhp, 5.7-liter V12 engine and the Viscous Traction, has been estimated to draw between $90,000 to $110,000 and will be offered without reserve.

Sources:
'Lot 350: 1996 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster', (https://m.bonhams.com/auctions/20582/lot/350/). Bonhams 1793. https://m.bonhams.com/auctions/20582/lot/350/. Retrieved 8 January 2013.

'1996 Lamborghini Diablo Roadster News, Pictures and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z571/Lamborghini-Diablo-Roadster.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z571/Lamborghini-Diablo-Roadster.aspx. Retrieved 8 January 2013.

By Jeremy McMullen