One of the rarest and most advanced versions of Lamborghini‘s classic Diablo supercar is headed to an RM Sotheby’s auction block next month.
The 205-mph Diablo is of course the Lambo of millennial generation, succeeding the iconic Countach with an improved and enlarged version of its V12. The displacement bump to 5.7 liters helped the sub-four-second Diablo become one of the first members of 200-mph club, but its the “VT Roadster” designation that’s of particular note on this 1999 model year.
This and other “Viscous Traction” models employed a viscous differential—born of the ahead-of-its time “Rambo Lambo” LM002 SUV—that allowed extra torque to be transferred to the front axle if the rear tires lost grip. According to RM Sotheby’s, this AWD capability helped the Diablo VT earn its reputation as a high-performance technical marvel and not just a stunning supercar.
This model year also saw slight changes following Volkswagen’s 1998 acquisition of the Italian marque. Very 80s retractable headlights were replaced by fixed lamps, and power was increased to 529 horsepower. Of the 200 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadsters produced, only a few dozen made it to North American and even fewer are believed to have been finished a full Titanium Silver paint coat.
RM Sotheby’s has further details:
Complimenting the silver exterior is a black leather interior, along with 18-inch chromed OZ Racing alloy wheels, and a factory-correct rear spoiler. With less than 19,000 miles indicated at the time of cataloguing, this Diablo VT Roadster benefitted from a major service within the last 200 miles at a cost of more than $6,000. Work performed included flushing the brake and power-steering systems, an oil change, installing new front shocks, and a full suspension calibration.
Expect this Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster to sell for $300,000 or more at RM Sotheby’s Phoenix, Arizona auction on January 26.
