Chassis Number: LA12603
The Diablo was introduced in 1991 under Lamborghini’s brief period of Chrysler ownership, preserving but refining its layout, smoothing out the body’s humps and bumps and improving occupant accommodations. In the middle of the ’90s, Lamborghini built 31 Diablos prepared for use on the racetrack. The race version, known as the SV-R (for Sport Veloce, Race), was for competition in the new one-marque Lamborghini Diablo Supertrophy series. Customers could purchase an SV-R along with a season of racing. Lamborghini carried out all maintenance and repairs itself.
Built alongside the production Diablo SVs, the Rs were 191 kilograms lighter than the regular model and used OZ Racing one-piece, hollow spoke, cast magnesium 18-inch wheels with slick tires. The engine was tuned to put out 540 bhp, with the additional power mostly derived from a revised fuel injection and, for the first time ever on a Diablo, variable valve timing was used. Inside the cockpit, the SV-R is pure racecar, without any superfluous sound deadening or comfort items.
This car finished second overall in the 1996 series and third overall in the 1997 series, and campaigned at many distinguished tracks including Le Mans, the Nurburgring, Brands Hatch, Spa and Vallelunga. It was submitted for restoration after retirement from the series. All exterior, interior and mechanical systems were gone through and restored with exception of the mechanicals, which needed very little except a thorough tune, as the car had been under factory care throughout its racing career.
This Diablo was painted by well-known French artist Georges Wolinski, whose work was preserved by the manufacturing of stickers, so any future scrapes can simply be repaired. New race seats, harnesses and tires were installed, making this completely race-ready.
