The Lamborghini Diablo was launched in Monte Carlo on 21 January 1990. This was the first Lamborghini capable of a top speed in excess of 200 mph . . . and the first Lamborghini design developed with the aid of wind tunnel. It was an overdue replacement for the iconic, but aging Countach. Diablo, incidentally, is “devil” in Spanish; Lamborghini carrying on the tradition of naming its vehicles after bulls. Reputedly, the model’s namesake was a ferocious bull raised by the Duke of Veragua in the 19th century, famous for fighting an epic battle with El Chicorro in Madrid on 11 July 1869.

The high-performance exotic is powered by an all-alloy 492-bhp 5,729-cc rear mid-engine V-12 with sequential electronic fuel injection that is shifted via a five-speed manual transmission. Four-wheel disc brakes and four-wheel independent double wishbone suspension are fitted for precise stopping and handling. Officially, 0–60 mph was quoted in 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 202 mph.

Marcello Gandini of Ital Design penned the original design, though finishing details were done by Tom Gale of Chrysler Corporation. Similar in concept to its predecessor the Countach, it shared the Italian “wedge” and “cab-forward” shape backed by sleek A-pillars, asymmetric rear wheel arches, and signature scissor doors. Nobody will mistake the Diablo for anything but a Lamborghini. A total of 900 were built through 1998, including this example finished in Giallo Fly over a black leather interior.

As a first-generation model, this low-mileage Diablo sports the desirable factory grey rear view mirrors. Equipped with the factory rear wing, air conditioning, power windows, and an Alpine Stereo radio with cassette player, it has been recently serviced. Having spent most of its life in the hands of collectors, it has travelled just 12,000 kilometers from new. The owner’s manual, service records, and tools are included, as well.