Year: 1999
Manufacturer: Lamborghini Model: Diablo
Model Variant: VT Roadster
Exterior Color: S. Fly Yellow 2CT
Interior Color: Nero
Current Mileage: 4,632 miles
Version: U.S.
Chassis #ZA9RU31B8XLA12251
Engine Capacity/Power: 5.7 liter, 4-valve V12 / 492BHP
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Top Speed: 200MPH
Designer: Marcello Gandini (initial), Luc Donckerwolke
Limited Series: 1 of 81 for U.S., 1 of 466 worldwide
Parent Company: Audi AG/Volkswagen Group
Public Debut: 1995 Bologna Motor Show
Predecessor: Diablo SV
Successor: Diablo SV-R
Years Produced: 1996 – 2000
Examples Produced in This Color: 30
Examples Produced in This Interior Package: 30
Examples Produced for U.S.: 81
Total Production: 466
Books & Tools: Yes (no warranty book)
CarFAX: Yes
Etc. Aftermarket stereo and exhaust, 1 of 37 in fly yellow from 1999. Owners manual and tools, no
warranty book and has had paint work. 2 owner car 4,632 miles.
Chassis Number XLA12251 is this US market Giallo car with Nero interior, formerly resided in
Chicago, USA.
Unlike the Diablo VT, the second generation Diablo VT Roadster was produced from 1999 until 2000.
As with all Diablos from the 1999 model year onward, the second generation VT Roadster received an
updated interior, as well as larger brakes and the new fixed headlamp units. Among other
improvements, the updated VT Roadster was fitted with a more powerful version of Lamborghini’s 5.7
liter V12, which saw a power
increase to 529BHP.
While production for the standard second generation VT Roadster ended in 1999, a special run of 30
Millennium Edition Roadsters were built in 2000. These cars were almost identical mechanically to
the VT Roadster, but featured a different differential, as well as cosmetic changes unique to the
Millennium Edition.
Introduced at the 1992 Geneva Motor Show, the Lamborghini Diablo Roadster prototype showed the
world what an open top Supercar could look like. With the roof removed and the windscreen shortened
dramatically, the famous scissor doors remained and the chassis was reinforced to make up for the
lack of a permanent roof.
The initial response from attending media and public was overwhelmingly positive creating demand
from Lamborghini dealers and their customers. They were finally satisfied with the debut of the
production version of the Diablo Roadster VT in 1995.
Over the following five years, Lamborghini built 200 VT Roadster versions which featured removable
targa top made entirely of carbon fiber that was stored above the engine bonnet when not in use.
The Roadster, the first widely produced convertible by Lamborghini, originally appeared at the
Bologna Auto Show in December of 1995 in much the same guise as the 6.0 liter VT with minor
cosmetic changes, notably the revised front bumper and head lamp arrangement which featured two
rectangular and two round lights. The front brake cooling ducts moved inboard of the driving lamps
where the rear ducts featured a vertical painted design as seen on the SE30.
The most substantial design changes included a slightly lower windscreen, larger air intakes, new
O.Z Racing wheels and most notably the engine bonnet treatment. In order for the engine heat to
vent properly as well as accommodate the targa top, a redesign of the engine cover was crucial and
the ingenuous method Lamborghini came up with to solve this issue was a masterful compromise which
featured larger air intakes on the atop the rear wheels which were likewise increased from 17” to
18”. The roof snaps securely into place right into the top of the engine bonnet, which may be done
in seconds.
Engine enhancements also included the addition of the variable valve timing system to the 492BHP,
6-liter, DOHC V-12 engine mated to the five-speed manual transmission, top speed was increased to
208MPH with 0 to 60MPH in four seconds, the Diablo Roadster remains to this day among the fastest
open top cars ever produced, even against the group of modern Supercars.
The Diablo Roadster began a new tradition of Lamborghini producing an open top version of their
flagship V12 models which has passed down their later models, such as Murciélago, Aventador and
Reventon combining rarity, aesthetic design and performance while keeping an important place in
Lamborghini lore.
“At Curated, we do not acquire cars simply for inventory but rather based on what the car is.
We love interesting provenance, very low production, very low mileage, very special and often weird
cars.”
John Temerian, Jr.
Curated co-founder
