THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE
Model dossier
- Production period
- 1995
- Body style
- Roadster
- Engine
- V12
- Type
- Limited
- Seats
- 2
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR
Coachbuilding, design & conversions
PRICE & SALES RECORD
Vehicle value
- Original price
- Not documented
- Latest recorded sale
- Not documented
01 / THE STORY
History & context
The Lamborghini Diablo Roadster, introduced in December 1995, was a stunning open-top variant of the Diablo coupé. It was equipped with an electronically operated carbon fiber targa top that could be stored above the engine lid when not in use, offering the driver an exhilarating open-air driving experience while retaining the dynamic styling and performance that Lamborghini was known for. The Roadster’s body underwent several design changes compared to the fixed-roof Diablo VT model. The front bumper was revised, swapping the original quad rectangular driving lights for a combination of two rectangular and two round units. The brake cooling ducts were repositioned and redesigned with a straked design, now located inboard of the driving lamps. Additionally, the rear ducts received a vertical painted design, reminiscent of the SE30, a special edition of the Diablo. The engine lid also saw significant changes to ensure proper ventilation when the roof panel was in place, ensuring the engine remained properly cooled during high-performance driving. Designer Marcello Gandini, renowned for his work on the Diablo and other iconic Lamborghini models, incorporated sleek, aggressive lines that maintained the Lamborghini aesthetic. The Roadster featured revised 17-inch wheels, with air intakes on the top and sides made larger than those on the coupe version, improving airflow and cooling. In 1998, Lamborghini introduced further updates to the Diablo Roadster. The wheels were upgraded to 18 inches, enhancing the vehicle’s handling and stance, while the engine received a boost, raising output to 530 horsepower (395 kW; 537 PS) through the addition of a variable valve timing system. As a result, the car’s top speed was increased to an impressive 335 km/h (208 mph), solidifying the Diablo Roadster as an iconic supercar of the era. This combination of updated styling, advanced engineering, and a thrilling driving experience made the Diablo Roadster one of the most desirable open-top Lamborghinis ever produced.
02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY
Specifications & construction
Production & construction
- Production type
- Limited
- Body & configuration · Legacy attribution
- Targa Top
Engine & performance
- Engine configuration
- V12
- Drive
- All-wheel drive
- Specification notes
- TECH 2026-09-21 — Lamborghini official history: the production Diablo VT Roadster entered the market in December 1995 and was offered only with all-wheel drive; V12 and two-seat architecture are common to the record.
Dimensions & accommodation
- Seats
- 2
Design & manufacture
- Designer · Candidate
- Marcello Gandini
- Design Studio · Documented
- Marcello Gandini Design
- Manufacturer · Documented
- Lamborghini
06 / EVENTS & AWARDS
Events & awards
No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery 5 photographs
08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE
Archive
References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.
| Reference | Source type |
|---|---|
| Lamborghini — 30 years of Diablo www.lamborghini.com | Manufacturer official history |
| Lamborghini — Diablo model history www.lamborghini.com | Manufacturer official history |













THE CONVERSATION
Comments 0
Share a memory, a period photograph or a documented detail about this car.