by Rare Lamborghini Diablo at Auction
Owning a Lamborghini has never been cheap, but the modern market surprises with unexpected trends. In the US, the hybrid Revuelto starts at $600,000, but for the same money, one can purchase a perfect 2001 Diablo with low mileage. The demand for classic Lamborghini models has grown so much that bids on this car have already doubled its starting price.
Unique Color and Questions Regarding Painting
The first thing that catches the eye in this Diablo is its color. It’s a stunning shade of purple, known as Viola Ophelia, which perfectly suits this supercar. After all, if you drive a car that attracts attention everywhere it appears, why not let the paint speak for itself as well.
Discussions have arisen regarding whether the paint is entirely original, due to the presence of an $8,600 invoice with the entry “Bodywork — repainting as necessary.” The seller noted:
It is possible that the paint was partially corrected, likely to finish the correction before applying protective film, but we cannot confirm this.
He added:
Nowhere is it stated that a full repaint was performed. In fact, we can assure you that a full repaint of a Lamborghini Diablo in such a rare color as Viola Ophelia could not have cost $8,600.
A former owner, who purchased the car for $235,000 in 2015 and sold it for $265,000 the following year, also commented:
I do not recall the car being repainted. It was always Viola.
Exterior and Interior Details
Against the background of the paint, the 18-inch silver Speedline wheels and yellow Brembo brake calipers, painted in 2014, stand out. With less than 18,000 miles, the exterior looks flawless, with minimal signs of wear. Even the engine bay looks like new, with the engine cover in the matching Viola Ophelia color.
The interior is also impressive: Bianco white leather, Marrone brown leather dashboard, black headliner, and numerous carbon fiber inserts. The most attractive element of this Diablo VT 6.0 is the manual five-speed transmission, which cannot be found in modern Lamborghini models.
Power and Auction Bidding
Under the hood lies a 6.0-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine producing 543 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is a significant advantage, as this generation of Diablo lacked traction control. It is a true driving experience in the best sense, something rarely allowed by modern systems.
The car is listed on Bring a Trailer, where bids have already exceeded $525,000, and the auction is still ongoing. For comparison, this is more than double the price paid by the previous owner a decade ago. For collectors and enthusiasts, this Diablo embodies not just an impressive supercar, but a symbol of Lamborghini in its wildest form, before the era of electronic safety systems and hybrid technology.
This Diablo model not only demonstrates the technical prowess of its time but also reflects the growing investment potential in cars of the classic era. The doubling in price over a decade highlights how collector cars are becoming increasingly valuable against the backdrop of modern trends towards electrification and automation. The Diablo remains a benchmark of design and engineering purity, reminding us of an era when the driver was in complete control of the car without electronic intervention.
