The enduring Lamborghini Countach had cast an enormous shadow. So, what better way for its replacement to announce itself to the world than by immediately breaking the most headline-grabbing of all automotive records. When the Diablo launched in 1990, it was officially recognised as the fastest-ever production car. The engineering team had surpassed a development target of 199 mph, with the 5.7-litre V-12 powerplant propelling the mid-engined wedge to a claimed top speed of 202 mph. That meant it had dethroned the Ferrari F40 by a small, but no less significant, 1 mph to reign supreme.

Further cementing its credentials as one of the most desirable supercars on the planet, the Diablo—named after a famously ferocious fighting bull—had its 485 brake horsepower heart wrapped in head-turning styling that was penned by the great Marcello Gandini, who added his signature straight-line slash in the top of the rear wheel arch.

Like its predecessor, the Diablo enjoyed a long production run. In build through to 2001, a little under 3,000 examples rolled out of the factory gates at Sant'Agata Bolognese. During the model’s 12-year lifecycle, Lamborghini also transitioned from Chrysler ownership into the hands of Audi, which came to preside over the marque courtesy of a 1998 takeover by the overarching Volkswagen Group. In time, the recipe would somewhat soften. There was the introduction of four-wheel-drive (increasing the 60 mph sprint time from 3.9 to 4.7 seconds for the VT), a smoothing out of the design, and replacing the characteristic pop-up headlights.

Chassis number 12919 offered here is one of approximately 873 examples of the Diablo produced in its original, undiluted specification. But what makes this particular car so special is the fact that it has, incredibly, never been registered on the road. It is a true “time warp” example that displays a mere 249 kilometres at the time of cataloguing

Built in right-hand-drive form and specified with suitably striking Rosso paint over Rosso leather upholstery, accompanied by matching-colour carpets and a contrasting Nero dashboard, this car retains the early Diablo’s distinctive “cliff” instrument binnacle. According to the Lamborghini Registry, it was originally delivered in the United Kingdom through official marque dealership Portman Lamborghini London on 22 September 1993.

It is believed that the car resided in a private collection for much of its life, during which time it was not used nor registered for the road. Once eventually removed from its prolonged stay of around 20 years in storage, the Diablo was recommissioned at Lamborghini Birmingham in December 2014 in work that totalled £16,280 (invoices available to view on file).

Subsequently acquired by the consigning owner in January 2023, the Diablo remains a true paragon of preservation. Not only does it show just 249 kilometres on its odometer, but even the 17-inch split-rim wheels by OZ Racing are shod in what is believed to be the original set of Pirelli P Zero tyres. It is accompanied by its books and manuals in their folio plus a vehicle technical certificate issued by Lamborghini in November 2018. Please note, the Lamborghini factory data suggests that this car is a four-wheel-drive model, but on inspection it was confirmed to be of rear-wheel-drive-only configuration.

A remarkable example of Lamborghini’s 1990s prize offering, this Diablo presents collectors with a fantastic opportunity to add an “as-new” supercar to their ensemble.