For the First Time in North America: The Iconic 1997 Lamborghini Diablo GT2

We are delighted to present the one-off, factory works Lamborghini Diablo GT2. "Originally developed by Lamborghini to enter into endurance racing, specifically the 24 Hours of LeMans, we recently learned that Lamborghini first used and developed the 6.0 engine in the GT2 test chassis.

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“In September of 1997, Automobili Lamborghini began developing a GT racer, named the Diablo GT2. Chassis #12494 was first shown to the world in December 1997 at the Bolonga Motor Show.

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This exotic looking Diablo was based on the SVR platform featuring open-headlights, unique suspension, race fuel tank, a lightweight Carbon Fiber body and a flat bottom.

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First tested March 1998 at Varano, and then later in April at Monza, this historic prototype racer was retired in 1998 and remained part of the Lamborghini Factory Museum collection from 1998-2015. The 1998 Diablo GT2 is one of the most important Motorsport Lamborghini examples in the world.

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”-John Temerian, Jr.Curated co-founder-In 1997, Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. had a plan to go racing while the Diablo was stillthe flagship model for the company. The decision was made to build the DiabloGT2 model featuring a modified 6.0 liter engine which produced over 640BHP. The theory was that the engine would be used in future production models such as theDiablo GT and Diablo VT 6.0 only slightly defanged for the road-going models.

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The GT2 racing version was a carbon fiber reinforced body over a full racing chassis anddesigned alongside the road-going version at the same time and would serve as a testplatform for new aero and engine technologies on major international race tracks andwas not intended to be sold to privateers.

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The Diablo GT2 would serve as a test platform for new aero and engine technologies onmajor international race tracks. The GT2 was close in appearance to the Diablo SV-Rand more similar to the Swiss-built Affolter-based cars. The Diablo GT2 featuresPlexiglass side windows, a full roll cage inside, and one seat with amulti-point racing harness.

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The first Diablo GT2 appeared publicly at the 1998 Bologna Motor Show and later in theyear at the Copenhagen Auto Show. It seemed as though Lamborghini was trying tocreate a buzz to sell this new evolution of Diablo and it was even displayed with a$350,000 price tag although there were no plans to make the cars available forprivateers or speculators.

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Later at the 1999 Geneva Auto Show, Lamborghini presented the far more modified,purpose-built racing Diablo GT1 with the 6.0 liter engine and featured more dramaticallysculpted body work and huge rear wing. Only two of the GT1s would be produced andraced with some effect mainly in the Japanese GT series. The production version of theDiablo GT (80) and Diablo GTR (30) were fitted with slightly less powerful 5.7 literengines for customers.

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As prototypes, the GT2 cars underwent many modifications while being used as a testcars for the coming GT and GT1 Diablos. The GT2s took part in two known races in the1998 French Federation of Automobile Sport (FFSA GT) championship, a Frenchnational GT series sanctioned by the Stefan Ratel Organization (SRO). The Diablo GT2 was entered at Nogaro and Spa-Francorchamps by DAMS Racing and driven byEmanuel Clérico (F) and Luigi Moccia (I)After the FFSA racing appearances, the car was then retired to the LamborghiniMuseum at Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy until 2015.

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-This excellent piece of automotive history now resides with us in Miami and is available for purchase.If you are interested and would like to know more about the Diablo GT2, please contact:

sales@wearecurated.com

(305) 606-6345