1991 Lamborghini DIABLO 5.7-LITRE 2WD SERIES 1

Estimated Price: £200,000 - £250,000

Unveiled in January 1990 at the Hôtel de Paris in Monte Carlo, the Diablo was Lamborghini's long-awaited successor to the Countach, which had been in production for some 16 years. Their new flagship retained the fundamental Lamborghini formula of a mid-mounted V12, rear-wheel drive, scissor doors and undeniably dramatic styling, yet brought considerably greater performance, refinement and usability to the party.

Marcello Gandini's early design was further developed further by Chrysler's design team, while beneath the familiar scissor doors sat a new 5.7-litre evolution of Lamborghini's own V12 producing 492bhp and 580Nm of torque paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. With a claimed 202mph top speed, it was one of the fastest production cars in the world at the time. Compared with the Countach, the Diablo was substantially easier to live with, offering improved visibility and access, adjustable seats and steering column, electric windows, air conditioning and a more comprehensively equipped cabin. The reception was understandably enthusiastic, with road tests praising its performance, stability and improved quality, although the heavy steering and clutch were noted as characteristic early Diablo traits. Only 873 examples of the original 5.7-litre 2WD Diablo were produced, making these early cars particularly significant within the model's overall 2,903-unit production run.

This particular example has a wonderfully appropriate history. Finished in Rosso Diablo over a Nero and Rosso interior and supplied new by Vintage Automobiles S.A., Lamborghini Monte Carlo on 1st July 1991, it spent much of its life in and around Cannes and retains a French registration document dating from 2007. The original black and gold leather book pack remains with the car, containing the Diablo owner's manual, sales and service book and service record, the latter displaying a whole host of original service stamps and corresponding stubs.

The early history is particularly well documented. P3 Automobiles serviced the car at 1,531km in December 1991, followed by Paul Doumer Autos in December 1992 and again in January 1995 at 9,258km. Monaco Motors subsequently recorded a service at 12,202km in July 1996, with a Lamborghini main dealer attending at 25,530km in June 2000 and again in October 2008. More recently, Ken Plant Autotech in Dublin serviced the car in April 2024 at 53,493km, before Bell Sport & Classic inspected and maintained it in April 2025 at 53,775km.

The accompanying invoices demonstrate a level of expenditure rarely seen on a car of this age. In 2018 alone, P3 Automobiles carried out extensive mechanical work including gearbox bearing and clutch replacement, driveshaft replacement, inspection and adjustment of the rear differential, new output shafts and pinion drive, accessory belts and water hoses, together with a comprehensive top-end engine rebuild incorporating resurfaced cylinder heads and block, new valves and stem seals, tappets and valve adjustment. A further engine rebuild and comprehensive gearbox overhaul followed in 2019, alongside cooling system work. These invoices, together with later maintenance by Ken Plant Autotech, account for €46,360.67 of documented expenditure, with a further £9,568 spent at Bell Sport & Classic in 2025.

The car made its way to Northern Ireland around 2019 and has been used as intended, including long-distance tours and rallies, with a 500km rally undertaken in 2026. It remains unrestored but has clearly been maintained regardless of expense, rather than preserved through lack of use. In 2026 it received a full detail, paint correction and ceramic coating by JC Autocare, leaving the Rosso paintwork with an exceptionally deep, glass-like finish.

Today, it presents extremely well and drives beautifully. There is a refinement to the Diablo that makes it considerably more usable than its Countach predecessor, while the rawness of the early 5.7-litre, rear-wheel-drive configuration remains entirely intact. The visibility is better, the cabin is more accommodating, and the driving experience is less demanding, but the essential Lamborghini ingredients are all still there.

Invited and displayed at Salon Prive 2026, it was a real fan favourite at the show and you can see exactly why. With scissor doors, pop-up headlights, a manual gearbox and a naturally aspirated V12 sitting behind you, this is about the most quintessential Lamborghini money can buy. With its contemporaries, the F40, EB110 and Testarossa all skyrocketing in price in recent years, this Diablo looks like extremely good value in comparison, especially for something that stands out from the crowd so well, for all the right reasons .