1994 Lamborghini Diablo SE30 Coupe

Following the Lamborghini Countach was the new model, Project 132. Swiss brothers Jean-Claude and Patrick Mimran took control of Lamborghini in 1980 and one of their goals was the replaced the aging Countach with a worthy replacement. Bertone-trained designer Marcello Gandini, who had penned the original, was given the impossible task. The resulting design was a wedgy, sharp-angled mold. This is when Lee Iaccoca-driven Chrysler stepped in and acquired Lamborghini. After forsaking Gandini's prototype design, the two-decade relationship with Lamborghini and Gandini ended abruptly.

In early 1990, the Diablo was formally unveiled. Power was from a mid-mounted, 48-valve variant of Lamborghini's dual-overhead-camshaft 5.7-liter V-12 engine with computer-controlled multi-point fuel injection. With 485 horsepower and 428 foot-pounds of torque, the clean shaped Diablo could go from zero-to-sixty mph in 4.5 seconds.

In 1993, a special-edition model dubbed the SE30 was introduced, celebrating the marque's three decades. The company boasted that the Diablo SE30 was essentially a street-legal race car with a lightened body and an increase in power by 48 HP. Many of the body panels were built using carbon fiber, and race-specification brakes were placed at all four corners. Driver-adjustable sway bars controlled by a cabin-mounted switch transitioned the SE30 from firm to race-stiff. Its overall weight was 3,150 lbs, a savings of more than 300 lbs. over the standard rear-wheel drive Diablo and nearly 400 lbs over the all-wheel-drive VT.

Creature comforts were removed from the interior such as air conditioning, power steering, the Alpine audio system, and the multi-adjustable leather seats. In their place were carbon fiber seats with four-point racing harnesses. The power windows were removed in favor of fixed Plexiglas units with a sliding vent window.

Most of the SE30 models were finished in period metallic purple. This particular example is one of just two painted Nero Metallizato and trimmed with a cream interior with black piping. It is also believed to be the only remaining example in this stunning combination. This car left the factory with air conditioning.

This Lamborghini SE30 is number 89 of the 150 built. It was delivered new to Montreal-area dealer John Scotti, who kept the car in his private collection until 2012. The previous owner acquired retained the car from 2012 to 2016. Currently, the car has 198 km on its odometer.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2019