One of my favorite little facts about Lamborghini is that its current Chief Test Driver is a gentleman called Max Venturi. If you earn your living driving Italian supercars to the limit, I can’t think of a better name! This 1994 Diablo VT predates Mr. Venturi’s appointment to the position, but I’m sure he would be happy to slip behind the wheel and demonstrate its capabilities. The Diablo needs a new home, so it has been listed for auction here at Bonhams Auctions in Newport, Rhode Island. It will go under the hammer on 30th September, and the guide price is $225,000 – $275,000. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Araknid78 for spotting this beauty.

Lamborghini introduced the Diablo to the waiting world in 1990, building 2,884 vehicles during a twelve-year production run. Styling updates during that time were evolutionary, but the VT version brought the most significant changes. These included new and larger air intakes to improve cooling for the engine and brakes, which became essential as engine power and vehicle performance increased. Our feature car is an original survivor wearing stunning Deep Black paint. It is hard to find fault because the presentation is superb. It appears to have led a sheltered existence, and the odometer reading of 31,000 miles suggests nobody has tried to wear out this beauty. The panels are immaculate, and the Diablo features the “scissor” doors that became a hallmark of its predecessor, the Countach. This classic rolls on its original enormous alloy wheels that show no signs of damage or stains. The aerodynamic aids, like the spoilers and rear wing, look perfect, while the dark window tint helps accentuate the sense of menace this Diablo conveys.

Italian supercars developed a reputation during the 1970s and 1980s as highly-strung, but adopting technologies like electronic multi-port fuel injection eliminated many of these problems. Utilizing these developments helped the company extract additional performance from their vehicles to compete with those rolling out of Ferrari’s factory. This Diablo features a mid-mounted 5.7-liter V12 powerhouse producing 492hp and 428 ft/lbs of torque. It is the “VT” variant, meaning those purebred Italian stallions feed to the road via a five-speed manual transaxle and a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system. At 3,582lbs, the Diablo is no lightweight. However, this classic should scorch the ¼ mile in 12.4 seconds. If that figure doesn’t impress you, the Diablo’s ability to hit 202mph should command some respect. There’s no point in having that potential performance level if the vehicle doesn’t stop or handle. Therefore, Lamborghini designed the Diablo with four-wheel independent suspension and fitted enormous four-wheel ventilated discs supplied by Brembo. We receive no information on how this car runs or drives, but the engine bay presentation and low odometer reading should mean that it is in sound mechanical health.

If the Deep Black paint and tinted glass don’t capture your imagination, the interior might get your attention. The seats wear upholstery in Black and contrasting Red leather, while the rest of the interior trim is in Black leather and suede with Red piping. One known weak point with interiors of this type is potential wear on the outer edges of the deeply-contoured seats. This car hasn’t suffered that fate, and the appearance suggests it has been treated with respect. There are no signs of abuse or physical damage and no evidence of neglect. This might be a supercar capable of topping the double-ton, but occupants don’t miss out on creature comforts. This classic features climate-control air conditioning, power windows, carbon fiber touches, a premium Kenwood stereo, and a beautiful gated shifter.

I know we will have readers questioning whether this 1994 Lamborghini Diablo VT is a barn find, and I understand that sentiment. This is a case where we must look beyond that question and appreciate the engineering and the performance potential this car offers. It is a flamboyant Italian supercar, and although it is twenty-eight years old, it could still hold its own against many modern offerings from the same country. That is a remarkable feat, which is why it deserves a place on our pages. With manufacturers focusing on a future dominated by zero-emission vehicles, cars like this Diablo risk becoming museum pieces. It doesn’t deserve that fate, and while it will hardly be a cheap investment, I hope the winning bidder enjoys it as much as Mr. Venturi would. That’s what its creators intended.