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2001 THE LAST EVER DIABLO (A1 NLM)
The last Diablo sold new in the UK!
INFORMATION
Engine: 6.0L, 48V, Quad Cam V12. 550BHP.
Drive: 5 Speed, permanent 4 wheel drive.
Performance: 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds, max 205mph.
Owned since: 2001 (new)
THE CAR
A Lamborghini, my dream car since I was about 14. I had the posters on the wall and dreamt initially of a Countach, then the Diablo when it was released.
I placed a deposit in mid 2001 on then brand new but unseen Murcielago, but was disappointed by its looks when first pictures appeared in the press a few weeks later.
A swift decision, I moved the deposit to one of last three remaining Diablo’s, waited for the other two to sell so I could take delivery of the very last one!
I attempt to drive it as it is meant to be driven and have covered approx 31,000 miles in the 23 years I’ve owned it. I was told the first tyres would last 4,000, disappointingly they lasted 11,000 miles (I’m obviously not driving it hard enough), but I am on my third clutch !
I did the Cannonball run in 2004, London to Monaco in two days. Outrageous fun, complete with a couple of bursts of 200mph on the speedo (the rear number plate melted). Wonderful stuff !
THE OWNER Almost unbelievably I started an electronics business in my spare bedroom in 1988 with a borrowed £20,000.
I worked hard, the business prospered, we won three Queen’s Awards and some 13 years later it was bought by a London plc.
The Lambo is my extravagance and toy. I use the Lambo rather infrequently now rarely breaking 1000 miles per year.
THE ACCIDENT !
After 5 years of accident free motoring, five weeks after changing insurance companies, sadly in Nov 2006, I bent it. A slightly extravagant exit from a roundabout resulted in a spin (when that 4WD lets go, it’s really gone !) and a £60,000 repair claim. After a five month repair, it came back beautiful again.
Until recently this car bore my plate “N1 GEL”, but I’ve transferred that now to my daily drive, a Tesla Model S Ludicrous (2.5s 0-60 with 4 seats and a big boot ! ). I also have the only one factory made Right Hand Drive manual DeLorean, and also keep my previous eco-unfriendlydaily runabout, a 5.0L Supercharged Range Rover Sport.