The late automotive critic, David E. Davis Jr. once said something to the effect that any car enthusiast worth anything should own a V-12 car at least once in their life. Interestingly, he was talking with Morley Safer, who was interviewing him about the Lamborghini Countach, a car that redefined the term supercar and helped spawn an entire new crop of enthusiasts. It was an unforgiving, unyielding car with brutal, raw performance that demanded a lot from a driver. In a way, it solidified a glorified arrogance that, instead of turning people off, actually attracted people. By 1990, the Countach had to pass the baton to a newcomer, which everyone thought would be very difficult. Riding the coattails of the Countach meant big shoes to fill. That new car would be called Diablo, a name certainly rebellious enough to be the son of Countach—but, curiously, the new car would be markedly less extreme, with smoother surfaces, gentler (but still dramatic) curves and an overall sense of refinement inside and out. In typical Lamborghini fashion, though, the refinement had a harder side, it was just less pronounced than the Countach. But, the arrogance remained, and people adored it. Building on the refinement though, Diablo was often considered more enjoyable to drive, some saying that it was even docile, offering fewer challenges and more rewards than the Countach. Where that attitude might serve to split many communities, it really didn’t turn Lamborghini aficionados against one another; it was just another concept of a supercar, and Diablo was taking the baton just fine. This 1991 Diablo is presented in Nero with standard silver- tone alloy wheels with raging bull center caps breaking up the all-black motif. The well-tinted windows add to the dark image, creating a slightly sinister look overall. Optioned with the rear wing, and wearing all black, the Diablo looks like a stealth fighter ready to take flight. The interior is upholstered in light tan, almost an oyster color, with black detailing and carpeting, sustaining but slightly softening the stark nature of the car beautifully. The gear lever protrudes from the gated shifter plate topped by a leather and carbon fiber knob controlling the 5-speed manual transmission mated to the 5.7L V-12 engine—the gate is darkened, and the carbon fiber adds a subtle, racy touch. The bucket seats are supportive, and an AM/FM/CD stereo system provides a nice diversion from the music conducted by the engine. Automatic climate control keeps the interior comfortable in any weather while a VDO quartz clock keeps track of how long it took to travel from one place to the other. Diablos make short time of any distance, as the 220 MPH speedometer will elude. Lowering the scissor doors, the Diablo’s passenger compartment envelopes occupants in a cozy environment that is stereotypical Lamborghini supercar, dating back to the Miura—two seats, no space behind. During a visit to the Lamborghini factory, the marketing director for Countach told Morley Safer that it was not a very comfortable car, because if you took a trip, it required another car to carry the bags; but that was all part of the Lamborghini experience. Fortunately, Diablo drivers got a little more rewarding experience, at least by driving nature—though they still needed a valet to bring the bags.
