1997 Lamborghini Diablo

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys London event, 1 November 2025.
375,000 - 425,000 GBP

• An immersive, soul-stirring analogue supercar
• Desirable factory finishes of Olympus Green over Nero with contrasting green stitching and piping
• Features rare full-leather seats and Diablo SVR carbon fibre rear wing
• 5.7-litre, naturally aspirated V-12 engine factory rated at 503 brake horsepower with 428 lb/ft of torque; capable of 0-60 mph in under four seconds with a top speed of 191 mph
• Benefits from October 2025 servicing by Silverstone-based Keys Motorsport
• Accompanied by its owners manual, service books, records, and tool kit

Unveiled at the 1995 Geneva International Motor Show, the Lamborghini Diablo SV Super Veloce, or super fast resurrected the storied moniker first used on the legendary Miura SV and heralded Lamborghinis return to uncompromising, driver-focused design. Eschewing the four-wheel-drive system of the Diablo VT, it embraced a lighter, rear-wheel-drive configuration, delivering a purer connection between car and driver.

Power was increased to 503 horsepower and paired with 428 lb/ft of torque, all extracted from Lamborghinis revered 5.7-litre naturally aspirated V-12. Free from electronic traction aids or turbocharging, the SV delivered visceral, unfiltered performance accelerating from a standstill to 60 mph in under four seconds and reaching a top speed of 191 mph, firmly establishing it as among the fastest cars of its era. This potent combination of amplified power and rear-wheel-drive configuration yielded an exhilarating driving experience, creating a car that both demanded and rewarded driver skill qualities increasingly rare in todays supercars and rightly prized by incisive enthusiasts.

Visually, the Diablo SV distinguished itself through a series of purposeful enhancements, including black taillight surrounds, SE30-style rear lamps, dual-front fog lights, and a revised engine lid derived from the SE30 Jota. A prominent rear wing accentuated its aggressive stance, while additional cooling ducts and twin roof-mounted intakes added functional drama. Enlarged front brakes, discreetly concealed behind the models signature OZ Racing split-rim alloy wheels, significantly improved stopping power and endowed the SV with superior driving dynamics.

Beyond its mechanical merits, the Diablo SV became a cultural touchstone when it was immortalised as a cover car for the Need for Speed gaming franchise, introducing a new generation to the raw, theatrical character of Lamborghini and cementing its legacy across both digital and real-world automotive lore.

Finished in the arresting and highly sought-after Olympus Green over Nero leather with contrasting green stitching and piping, this Lamborghini Diablo SV remains as visually commanding as it is mechanically ferocious. Completed in July 1997, this exceptional SV was delivered just a month later to Mr Howard Furr-Barton, a racing driver active in Gran Turismo and Lamborghini World Trophy events, residing in Henlow. Given his motorsport background, the car was superbly specified with a factory-fitted Diablo SVR carbon fibre rear wing believed to be unique among UK-market SVs along with full leather seating in place of the standard Alcantara, as well as electric windows and mirrors, power steering with adjustable column, and climate control.

Richly trimmed in black leather across the seats, headliner, and dashboard, the cabin features vibrant green contrasting stitching and piping that subtly echo the cars striking exterior. Black Alcantara adorns the transmission tunnel, centre console, and door panels, all unified by matching green stitching, crafting a refined yet bold interior perfectly complementing the Diablos daring character.

Noteworthy mechanical attention includes a new clutch and flywheel assembly completed by Colin Clarke Engineering in July 2015, and a major service carried out by Barr-Tech Specialist Cars in June 2020. The Lamborghini was notably trusted to the Silverstone-based Keys Motorsport for servicing work in October 2025. Now showing 52,821 kilometres on its odometer at the time of cataloguing, the car is accompanied by an owners manual, service books, maintenance records, and a tool kit.

Whether destined for a curated collection or unleashed as a thrilling weekend companion, the statement Diablo SV offered here presents the chance to experience a true legend of automotive lore a machine so brutally fast, gloriously impractical, and utterly unfiltered that, nearly three decades on, it endures as a symbol of Lamborghini at its most audacious.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/lf25/.