Lamborghini Diablo VT Alpine Edition, 1999
Lamborghini Diablo
Lamborghini Diablo•
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Chassis No.: ZA9DU01B7XLA12265
Auction: Monterey 2018
Auction date: August 25, 2018
Lot No.: S101
$253,000 | Sold
- Exterior: Blue
- Interior: Snowcorn
- Body: Alpine Edition
- No. 11 of 12 built for the United States Market to celebrate the relationship between Automobili Lamborghini SpA and Alpine Car Audio
- 7,915 miles since new
- 5.7/523 HP DOHC V-12 engine
- 5-speed manual transmission
- Brembo vented disc brakes
- All wheel drive
- Snowcorn interior with Blue contrast piping
- OEM optional carbon fiber interior parts and exterior carbon fiber pieces
- Climate control
- Power windows
- Special edition OZ wheels finished in chrome, only produced for the Alpine Edition
- SV style rear wing with carbon fiber wing flip
- Original window sticker
- Books in leather pouch
- MUST BE SOLD TO AN OUT OF STATE RESIDENT OR LICENSED DEALER
Celebrating a very special, lengthy relationship between Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. and Alpine Audio, 12 special-edition Diablo VT Alpine Editions were built for the U.S. market. This car is No. 11 and has rolled only 7,915 miles since new. Powered by the 5.7L/523 HP DOHC V-12 engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission with a gated shifter, it features Brembo vented disc brakes, all-wheel-drive, climate control and power windows, among other amenities Diablos were known for. The striking blue exterior finish is contrasted by an interior of Snowcorn with blue piping and trim, with the optional OEM carbon-fiber gauge surround and center-stack treatment.
Rolling on chrome special-edition OZ Wheels made specifically for the Alpine Edition, this car also features the SV-style rear wing with carbon-fiber wing flip. While the Alpine Editions received a few special aesthetic embellishments, the major enhancement was the use of Alpine’s top-of-the-line CVA-1005 head unit with integrated navigation system and DVD player, 6-disc CD changer and an arsenal of Alpine tweeters, midrange drivers and subwoofers powered by amplifiers badged “Lamborghini.” The Alpine logo emblazoned the headrests and floormats.
In 1998, Audi acquired Lamborghini from MegaTech of Indonesia, a company owned by SEDTCO Pty., who bought the company from the Chrysler Corporation in 1994 for the price of about $40 million. With the hiring of Michael Kimberley as president and managing director, previously with Jaguar, Lotus and General Motors, efforts were put in place to broaden Lamborghini offerings, particularly to the American market. One facet of special importance was to raise awareness of Lamborghini’s heritage and mystique, which resurrected the SV moniker, the Jota name and, of course, the Alpine and MOMO Editions, both of which celebrated marques with which Lamborghini has long had coveted relationships.
The efforts did not go unnoticed; sales climbed steadily, bolstering Lamborghini’s profits and providing additional capital to build additional offerings. As one of the first efforts to turnaround the Raging Bull—and with only 12 ever built—the Diablo Alpine Edition will forever remain a special Lamborghini.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/336614/1999-lamborghini-diablo-vt-alpine-edition/
