Description:

1996 Lamborghini Diablo SV-R LA12569

Announced to the public in March 1996 at the Geneva Motor Show, the Diablo SV-R was to be Lamborghini’s first factory built series of race cars promoted by Stéphane Ratel (SRO). The first round was held at Le Mans in June 1996 as a support race for the 24hrs.  28 cars took to the track and all cars finished.  The beginning of the Supertrophy Series.

The Diablo SV-R was based on the road SV chassis version which retained the rear wheel drive and limited slip differential configuration but featured a stripped-down interior with a roll cage, OMP racing seats with OMP harnesses and removable steering wheel.  The power glass windows were replaced with fixed plexiglass sliding windows.  The pop-up headlights were replaced with brake cooling ducts for the front brakes.  A larger deeper front spoiler was fitted with the addition of a lower skirt, side skirts were also added and the rear bumper was removed and replaced with a diffuser.  Rear wing was changed (although this car features a later GTR style wing) Brakes were uprated to 355mm front and 335mm rear.  Koni shocks were fitted although #08 features fully rebuilt Ohlins.  Engines remained 5.7L but output was taken to 540HP due to improved fuel system and variable valve timing.  SV-R also features a short ratio gearbox.  Air jacks were also fitted.

The series ran for 3 successful years and this car #08 took part in all three years and was owned by Leaseplan from new.  Over 1996/97 it was hired to Rob Peacock and George Von Opel, it was also one of a few cars used by Fabio Santaniello to win the championship in 1997.  It then raced in FFSA French GT series in 1998-2000 and was run by a Swiss based team Auto Vitesse as car number 38.  Ferdinand De Lesseps and Christophe d’Ansuembourg were the regular drivers.  In 2002 it was sold to an ex IMSA and GTP driver and competed in 2002/3 in some national sports car events.  It came to the UK in 2017 and changed hands again in 2021 and then underwent a strip down and rebuild at BBM Sport in Daventry, UK. 

While in a full bare metal respray, the whole car had refresh, the interior was retrimmed using the RHD Diabo SE30 Jota #136 as a reference to give a different look to the standard SV seats.  #08 is now beautifully presented and the paint will be preserved with its full body PPF in race car grade material.  In the region of £150,000 has been spent at BBM Sport on this example in recent years with invoices available.

The car was seen back on track in July 2023 at the SCD Secret Meet.  It performed exceptionally well and was a joy to drive even in heavy rain.

08/31 (or 34 built as the registry suggests) making the SVR extremely rare and significant in Lamborghini history.  Weighing only 1385KG with 540hp vs the SE30 at 1450KG and 525hp and with the shorter ratios this is an extremely fast package.

A lot of the original equipment removed from the car to take it from SV to SV-R is still with the car.  It also has spare wheels should you wish to race it, or with a few changes and a MOT it could be road legal in the UK.

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