1996 | Lamborghini Diablo SV-R

Nothing can match the impact the Lamborghini Diablo SV-R has had on sports car racing. Without the Diablo Super Tropheo in 1996, the GT3 class may never have existed today. The Diablo SV-R is an important milestone in Lamborghini history, marking the brand's first official participation in track racing. The SV-R was designed for the Philippe Charriol SuperSport Trophy and a total of only 32 were built. These cars were intended for both professional drivers and top Lamborghini customers who wanted to take their car to the track. To make the cars as competitive as possible, the brakes were improved, the suspension was made stiffer, glass was replaced with lexan plastic and the 5.7-liter V12 engine was developed to produce 540 horsepower. Lamborghini fitted about 250 new parts to make the racing SV-R.

Today, all 32 cars are scattered around the world and it is rare to have the opportunity to buy one, let alone one that is in near-perfect and extremely original condition. Many of these cars are in private collections or museums and rarely see the light of day. Apart from a paint job in 2000, the invoices for which are available, our SVR is in 100% original and also stunning condition. The car has the 1996 FIA-certified red Sparco racing seat and alcantara dashboard, original bumpers, original body panels some of which even still bear the factory number 10. The floors are original and untouched, the fire suppression system still bears the official 1997 and 1998 technical inspection label, and yes, even the original lead seal placed on each engine to ensure equal performance is still there and untouched. This is truly a breathtaking time machine! Like 30 of the 32 cars produced, our car participated in the Philippe Charriol SuperSport Trophy. Several photos are available of the car in its original livery during the 1997 and 1998 season, adding to the historical significance of this exceptional car.

What makes this Lamborghini really special is that it still has its original (i.e. first owner!) French registration documents as well as a very well-documented owner history. Since these cars were intended for the race track and paperwork and history were not very important for these race cars at the time, these documents are very unusual (and offer a new owner several additional opportunities to perhaps turn this car into a true road exclusivity). Besides the original registration documents, the car also has the Lamborghini maintenance reports from during the Trophy, from 1996 and 1998, invoices from the repainting in 2000 and even the original invitation to the Lamborghini days in 1997! The SVR was sold at the time to Jacques Peirs, a very well-known Lamborghini Diablo and Countach expert in the area and collector who has owned some of the finest examples. Jacques has owned the best Lambo's and kept this SVR in his collection as the crown jewel for no less than 25 years. He meticulously maintained and serviced the car in his own reputable workshop and only used it sparingly for a handful of track days and a few (not so legal ...) car trips. There are several photos of this Diablo SVR arriving at his garage and of Jacques using the car on the street and on the track. His stories of driving up the Raidillon in fifth gear are legendary! Jacques managed to obtain a Belgian PVG number for the car, which means that the model has been deemed roadworthy by Lamborghini and the Belgian (and now European) government.

Today, this gem has only 17,232 km on the odometer and since it has been driven very little in recent years, yet has been very well maintained and serviced, it is still in exceptionally original and good condition. This is a unique opportunity to own one of the most important parts in Lamborghini and sports car history!