1991 Lamborghini Diablo Coupe / ZA9DU07P7MLA12300 Chassis Information

Sold for $140,000 at 2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey.
The Lamborghini Diablo served as a replacement for the Countach, which had been in production for 17 years. Upon its arrival, the Diablo was the most advanced, fastest, and most expensive vehicle that Lamborghini ever built. It was first publically debuted at Monaco in January of 1990 wearing styling by Marcello Gandini of Ital Design, the man responsible for the Lamborghini Miura and Countach. Finishing details were done by Tom Gale of Chrysler Corporation.

The Diablo used a steel spaceframe chassis which was a development of the Countach, but constructed of square-section rather than round tubing and incorporating 'crumple zones' at front and rear. There was a revised suspension capable of accommodating the future developments of four-wheel drive and active suspension. Carbon-fiber composite panels, first used in the Countach Evoluzione model, were employed in the Diablo. The engine was a 48-valve V-12 engine displacing 5.7-ltiers and using fuel injection for the first time. Horsepower was nearly 500 bhp and torque was rated at 428 lb/ft, an improvement of 55% over the Countach. Catalytic converters were standard, allowing the engine to comply with emissions requirements worldwide.

Along with more power, the Diablo had a lower drag coefficient than the Countach. It easily exceeded 200 mph which made it quicker and faster than the Ferrari F40, albeit marginally. It was the first Lamborghini capable of 200+ mph, and the first Lamborghini design developed with the help of wind tunnels.
A total of 900 were built through 1998. This particular example is finished in Giallo Fly over a black leather interior. It is a first-generation, low-mileage Diablo (12,000 kilometers) with the desirable factory grey rear view mirrors. It has a factory rear wing, air conditioning, power windows, and an Alpine Stereo radio with cassette player.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2018