Even during its down periods, Lamborghini has still managed to produce some jaw-dropping supercars.
One such model is the Diablo SV Roadster, an all-but-forgotten relic from the period right before Volkswagen acquired the marque. Only two examples were ever built and one of those is about to be auctioned off by Sotheby’s Sealed.
Hard as it may be to believe now, but there was a brief period, in the 1980s and ‘90s, when Chrysler owned Lamborghini. The Detroit giant, which now goes by the name Stellantis North America, bought the supercar maker in 1987. It immediately set about revamping the Raging Bull lineup, replacing the Countach with the Diablo, and discontinuing the Jalpa and LM002. It didn’t go so well, and, in 1994, Chrysler sold the company to a Malaysian investment group, which would then sell it to its current owner, Volkswagen AG, in 1998.
Unsurprisingly, this era of corporate upheaval is far from the richest in Lambo history. The Diablo — which was produced from 1990 to 2001 — had a lot to live up to and struggled to do so, but it has turned a corner with collectors in recent years. One look is all it takes to see why. The wedge-shaped speed machine is just as bold and brash as you’d expect one of the automaker’s flagships to look. The V-12-beast is also one of the brand’s last true analog supercars.
The Diablo may have been in production for over a decade, but Lamborghini only built around 2,500 examples, according to Autoblog. The rarest of them all might be the SV Roadster, which was a lighter, rear-wheel-drive take on the all-wheel-drive VT Roadster that was meant to better appeal to American customers. Only two were built, of which this is one. This example of the open-top missile is finished in bright yellow with exposed-carbon-fiber accents (including the rear wing) and has a giant, stylized “SV” splashed on each of its scissor doors. The interior, meanwhile, has seats covered in Nero “Torpedo” Alcantara with yellow piping and is also equipped with an Alpine stereo system.
In the engine bay, you’ll find a 5.7-liter V-12. The brawny mill produced an impressive 530 hp and 446 ft lbs of torque all of which was sent to the rear axle via a five-speed manual. Other mechanical features include a front suspension lift system and a sport exhaust.
The one-of-two Diablo SV Roadster will be sold by Sotheby’s Sealed on Friday, December 15. The auction house doesn’t list a price for the supercar, but, considering its exclusivity, we’d expect it to sell for north of the $250,000 that the VT Roadster can command at auction.
Click here for more photos of the Lamborghini Diablo SV Roadster.
