The most radical iteration of Lamborghini’s Diablo, the Diablo GT was first introduced to the world at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show. Virtually a street-legal race car, the Diablo GT was a study in the relentless pursuit of performance. Even from Lamborghini, a car company known for its outrageously styled automobiles with performance to match, the Diablo GT proved that the company had more passion and soul than ever, and that its best days were still yet to come.

Lamborghini’s new 6.0-litre V-12 engine was the Diablo GT’s pièce de résistance. With dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, the engine introduced a number of new features to make the power plant as potent as possible. The engine utilized titanium connecting rods and a light crankshaft, variable valve timing, as well as a magnesium intake manifold and cylinder head covers. With an output of 575 horsepower at 7,300 rpm, torque was quoted as being 630 Nm at 5,550 rpm. A 0–60 mph run could be accomplished in 3.5 seconds, leading to an astonishing 211 mph top speed, making this one of the fastest production cars the world had ever seen.

Mechanically, the Diablo GT boasted a larger front track and revised suspension to help improve high-speed handling. This was further improved with fitting lightweight aluminium alloy wheels. Almost all of the Diablo GT’s body panels (excluding the car’s distinctive scissor doors and roof) were crafted from carbon fibre and saw massive revisions from the standard Diablo in the name of increased cooling, downforce, and weight savings.

The Diablo GT’s weight savings carried through to the car’s interior as well. Awash in carbon fibre and alcantara, racing seats with four-point harnesses were fitted for a more focused look. The only standard concession to creature comforts was the presence of air conditioning. In addition, an optional dual-airbag system, as well as a rear-mounted camera, could be had to assist in reversing.

With only 80 examples produced, Lamborghini was able to ensure its most radical creation went to its very best clients and those who would appreciate the car’s insane level of performance. Customization options were limited, with only four colours available: orange, grey, black, and yellow.

This particular Diablo GT is the 6th example of 80 constructed. Finished new in grey over a two-tone black and blue interior, it was acquired new by the present owner, a collector of modern supercars, and was delivered to him through Touringauto, Lamborghini’s dealership in Milan, Italy, and was subsequently brought to his home in Monaco. In addition to its proper set of manuals and keys, the car is accompanied by a handful of invoices with the most recent from a service by Lamborghini Brussels in May of 2014. With just 11,100 kilometres on its odometer, the car presents exceptionally well throughout thanks to years of careful enjoyment with regular service and detailing.

In terms of having the experience of a racing car in a street-legal automobile, it is difficult to find a more focused vehicle than the Diablo GT. At its time, the Diablo GT pioneered the very best engineering and technology Lamborghini could muster in the name of weight savings and performance. Even 17 years after it was first announced, the car will still leave many of today’s sports cars in its wake. Offered from single ownership from new and with just 11,100 kilometres showing on its odometer, this example is surely one of the finest in existence.