1999 Lamborghini Diablo

Overview

Engines

5.7L V12, 6.0L V12

Came as

• Coupe
• Roadster

On record

5 warnings, no recalls

What changed for 1999

Refresh

• A facelift under Audi: fixed headlamps from the Nissan 300ZX replace the pop-ups, a new wave-shaped dashboard arrives, ABS is fitted, and the base car is dropped. The 6.0L GT goes on sale. Automobili, Goodwood Classic Solutions, a published reference

Compare 1999 with 1998

Rare and special

• Alpine Edition
• Momo Edition
• Diablo GT

Colors

No paint color is recorded yet.

Specs

Engines

• 5.7L V12 Automobili, a published reference

  492 PS at launch, rising to 530 PS with variable valve timing · 1990–2000

  Gearbox

  5-speed manual A published reference

  Drives

  Rear-wheel drive, All-wheel drive (A viscous centre coupling sends torque to the front wheels when the rears slip, 1993–2001) Automobili, a published reference

• 6.0L V12 Automobili, a published reference

  575 PS in the GT, 550 PS in the VT 6.0 · 1999–2001

  Gearbox

  5-speed manual A published reference

  Drives

  Rear-wheel drive, All-wheel drive (A viscous centre coupling sends torque to the front wheels when the rears slip, 1993–2001) Automobili, a published reference

Body styles

• Coupe A published reference
• Roadster (1995–2000) Goodwood Classic Solutions, a published reference

Trims

• Diablo VT (1993–2000) Automobili, a published reference
• Diablo SV (1995–1999) Goodwood Classic Solutions, a published reference
• Diablo VT Roadster (1995–2000) Goodwood Classic Solutions, a published reference
• Diablo GT (1999–2000) Automobili, a published reference

Packages

• Alpine Edition (1999) A published reference
• Momo Edition (1999) A published reference

Figures for the whole Original

• Built: 2,903, from 1990 to 2001 Automobili, a published reference
• Doors: Scissor doors, as on the Countach Automobili, a published reference
• Structure: A steel spaceframe with aluminium and composite panels Goodwood Classic Solutions
• Wheelbase: 2,650 mm A published reference
• Anti-lock brakes: From 1999, a first for a Lamborghini A published reference

Rare trims and options

• Rare

  Alpine Edition Package

  Sold only in the US A published reference

  12 built for the US A published reference

• Rare

  Momo Edition Package

  Sold only in the US A published reference

  12 built for the US A published reference

• Good find

  Diablo GT Trim

  83 built A published reference

  83 built A published reference

  Why it is a good find: Six owners in a FerrariChat buyer's thread rank the limited versions such as the GT above the regular cars, and Goodwood counts the GT among the Diablo's prized rarities. Goodwood Classic Solutions, owners' reports (unofficial)

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• Cam chain tensioners 1990–2000

  Check: Ask whether the original tensioners were replaced with the later manually adjusted ones, and listen for a rattle off the throttle.

  Goodwood says the early 5.7's hydraulic tensioners can in time let the chain snap, and that the later manual ones are often fitted instead. Seven owners in three FerrariChat threads raise the tensioners too. Goodwood Classic Solutions, owners' reports (unofficial)

• Worn clutch All years

  Check: In a high gear, accelerate from low revs and feel for slip, and make sure it shifts cleanly when warm. Ask when the clutch was last done.

  Six owners in four FerrariChat threads call the clutch the main worry, and five say a clutch job means taking the engine out. Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Bent clutch slave rod All years

  Check: Ask whether the rod between the clutch slave cylinder and the pivot was replaced.

  Two owners in two FerrariChat threads say this rod can bend or break and leave the car stranded. Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Rust in the steel spaceframe All years

  One source so far

  Check: Have the frame looked over from underneath for corrosion.

  Goodwood says the aluminium and composite panels do not rust, but the steel frame beneath them can. Goodwood Classic Solutions

• Failing catalytic converters All years

  Check: Ask whether the catalytic converters were replaced or checked, and smell for overheating after the drive.

  Three owners in two FerrariChat threads warn that the early cars' catalytic converters can fail badly, and two raise the chance of a fire. Owners' reports (unofficial)

Recalls

No recall is written up here.

Owning

What owners and buyers say

No source singles out this year, for good or bad.

Maintenance

No service schedule is added yet.