A Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster, custom-built for former US president Donald Trump almost three decades ago, has fetched an impressive $1.1 million (£870,000) at a recent Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. This “world record” auction price, more than five times the car’s estimated value, is attributed to its unique provenance.
Crafted specifically for Trump in 1997, this particular Diablo VT is one of only 132 units made for the US market. Painted in the brand’s distinctive ‘Blu Le Mans,’ the limited-edition vehicle boasts a cream-on-black leather interior, complemented by a ‘Donald Trump 1997 Diablo’ plaque adorning the inside of the door. Despite its rarity and the relatively low mileage of 15,431 miles, the winning bid far surpassed the car’s market value.
Having had only two owners since Trump relinquished ownership in 2002, the Italian supercar changed hands for $460,000 (approximately £360,000 at the time) in 2016.
John Mayhead, editor of the Hagerty Price Guide, remarked on the significance of Trump’s association with the vehicle, stating that the final bid was five times the Hagerty Price Guide’s ‘excellent’ value of £174,000.
Mayhead explained, “This car was unusual anyway, being a rare VT Roadster model with just three owners from new and 15,400 miles on the clock. But the sale price of $1.1 million (£870,000) is five times the Hagerty Price Guide ‘excellent’ value of £174,000, meaning Donald Trump’s ownership had a huge impact on value.”
The Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster, introduced in 1995, is one of the rarest iterations of the first-generation Diablo. Powered by a mid-mounted 5.7-liter V12 engine generating 492 horsepower, it accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds, with a claimed top speed of 202 mph.
The recent auction result places Trump just below Jay Leno but above Simon Cowell in the annual Hagerty Power List, showcasing the influence of celebrity ownership on car values.