1996 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster Chassis no. ZA9RE31A0XLA12064 •Lamborghini's first open-top production car with a V12 engine •Targa-type removable roof •Dashboard removed •No books Fußnoten After 17 years in production, the legendary Countach was replaced by the Diablo, which on its arrival was the fastest, most advanced and most expensive Lamborghini ever built. First exhibited publicly at Monaco in January 1990, the Diablo improved on its illustrious predecessor in every way, setting a new benchmark in supercar design. Nobody can have been surprised to learn that it had been styled by Marcello Gandini the man responsible for the Lamborghini Miura and Countach, for the family resemblance was obvious. Beneath the skin there was a steel spaceframe chassis, developed from the Countach's, but constructed of square-section rather than round tubing and incorporating 'crumple zones' at front and rear. The use of carbon-fibre composite panels, first seen in the Countach Evoluzione model, was extended in the Diablo, which also featured revised suspension capable of accommodating the envisaged future developments of four-wheel drive and active suspension. Stretched to 5.7 litres for the Diablo, Lamborghini's 48-valve V12 engine gained fuel injection for the first time, producing its maximum of 492bhp at 7,000rpm. Of equal, if not greater significance, maximum torque went up to 428lb/ft, an improvement of 55% over the Countach. Catalytic converters were standard, enabling the reworked V12 to meet emissions requirements worldwide. With more power and a lower drag coefficient than the Countach, the Diablo easily eclipsed its forebear, exceeding 200mph (322km/h) on test. More importantly, its acceleration and top speed figures were marginally better than those of the Ferrari F40. The Diablo though, was not a limited edition model like the latter but a series production car with a luxuriously appointed interior reflecting its designers' intention to produce a civilised Gran Turismo as suited to city streets and motorways as the racetrack. Nevertheless, the Diablo was still one of the world's most expensive cars. Four-wheel drive Diablo VT and Targa-style open roadster versions soon followed. An open roadster had been shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1992 but another three years would pass before customers could buy the production version. Historically significant as Lamborghini's first open-top production car with a V12 engine, the Diablo Roadster was yet another example of the popular 'Targa Top' concept that relies on removable roof panels to provide fresh-air motoring. In the Diablo's case the single panel is stored over the engine cover when not in place. Despite the absence of a fixed roof, Lamborghini claimed that the Roadster was every bit as stiff as the Coupé. The dashboard has been removed from the Diablo VT Roadster, which is offered with Equatorial Guinea registration papers and customs document. VAT, Car Tax and Customs Duty at the standard rates will be payable on this Lot if the car remains in Switzerland. Bonhams is the guarantor of the customs duties and taxes clearance: consequently, this motor car cannot be released to the buyer or his transporter immediately after the sale. Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster 1996 Châssis n° ZA9RE31A0XLA12064 •Première Lamborghini V12 découverte construite en série •Toit amovible de type Targa •Sans tableau de bord •Sans documentation de bord Après 17 années de production, la légendaire Countach fut remplacée par la Diablo, qui à son lancement était la Lamborghini la plus rapide, la plus évoluée et la plus chère jamais construite. Dévoilée à Monaco en janvier 1990, la Diablo avait progressé sur tous les plans par rapport à sa devancière et elle fixait de nouveaux standards de conception pour les supercars. On n'avait pas été surpris d'apprendre que son style était dû à Marcello Gandini le père des Lamborghini Miura et Countach, avec lesquelles elle présentait un air de famille évident.
1996 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster Chassis no. ZA9RE31A0XLA12064 •Lamborghini's first open-top production car with a V12 engine •Targa-type removable roof •Dashboard removed •No books Fußnoten After 17 years in production, the legendary Countach was replaced by the Diablo, which on its arrival was the fastest, most advanced and most expensive Lamborghini ever built. First exhibited publicly at Monaco in January 1990, the Diablo improved on its illustrious predecessor in every way, setting a new benchmark in supercar design. Nobody can have been surprised to learn that it had been styled by Marcello Gandini the man responsible for the Lamborghini Miura and Countach, for the family resemblance was obvious. Beneath the skin there was a steel spaceframe chassis, developed from the Countach's, but constructed of square-section rather than round tubing and incorporating 'crumple zones' at front and rear. The use of carbon-fibre composite panels, first seen in the Countach Evoluzione model, was extended in the Diablo, which also featured revised suspension capable of accommodating the envisaged future developments of four-wheel drive and active suspension. Stretched to 5.7 litres for the Diablo, Lamborghini's 48-valve V12 engine gained fuel injection for the first time, producing its maximum of 492bhp at 7,000rpm. Of equal, if not greater significance, maximum torque went up to 428lb/ft, an improvement of 55% over the Countach. Catalytic converters were standard, enabling the reworked V12 to meet emissions requirements worldwide. With more power and a lower drag coefficient than the Countach, the Diablo easily eclipsed its forebear, exceeding 200mph (322km/h) on test. More importantly, its acceleration and top speed figures were marginally better than those of the Ferrari F40. The Diablo though, was not a limited edition model like the latter but a series production car with a luxuriously appointed interior reflecting its designers' intention to produce a civilised Gran Turismo as suited to city streets and motorways as the racetrack. Nevertheless, the Diablo was still one of the world's most expensive cars. Four-wheel drive Diablo VT and Targa-style open roadster versions soon followed. An open roadster had been shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1992 but another three years would pass before customers could buy the production version. Historically significant as Lamborghini's first open-top production car with a V12 engine, the Diablo Roadster was yet another example of the popular 'Targa Top' concept that relies on removable roof panels to provide fresh-air motoring. In the Diablo's case the single panel is stored over the engine cover when not in place. Despite the absence of a fixed roof, Lamborghini claimed that the Roadster was every bit as stiff as the Coupé. The dashboard has been removed from the Diablo VT Roadster, which is offered with Equatorial Guinea registration papers and customs document. VAT, Car Tax and Customs Duty at the standard rates will be payable on this Lot if the car remains in Switzerland. Bonhams is the guarantor of the customs duties and taxes clearance: consequently, this motor car cannot be released to the buyer or his transporter immediately after the sale. Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster 1996 Châssis n° ZA9RE31A0XLA12064 •Première Lamborghini V12 découverte construite en série •Toit amovible de type Targa •Sans tableau de bord •Sans documentation de bord Après 17 années de production, la légendaire Countach fut remplacée par la Diablo, qui à son lancement était la Lamborghini la plus rapide, la plus évoluée et la plus chère jamais construite. Dévoilée à Monaco en janvier 1990, la Diablo avait progressé sur tous les plans par rapport à sa devancière et elle fixait de nouveaux standards de conception pour les supercars. On n'avait pas été surpris d'apprendre que son style était dû à Marcello Gandini le père des Lamborghini Miura et Countach, avec lesquelles elle présentait un air de famille évident.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
