I drove a Diablo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TT]

Totally FUCKING AMAZING guys! It's impossible to put what I experienced today on paper with normal words.
The car is owned by a supercool guy that saw pics of his car on my website (Lambo meeting) and we started to chat. Of course I was interested in an indepth, and he too!!!!
So today it was a sunny day and he drove here to pay a visit.
We drove around a bit and then he told me he can drive the car whenever he wants and that it was my turn now.
Imagine my heart. I though I would just explode there in the passenger seat!

It's actually much easier than you think: clutch is heavy but very precise and actually as easy as mine. The H gate is a bit tricky at first and quick gear changes especially in diagonal (1 > 2 or 3 > 4) aren't easy.
Very weird to have 1st gear where usually you have 2nd and R where you have 1st :D you need to be carefull and not to forget.
On the road, small back roads actually, to be in a car which is 2.21 meters wide with mirrors is something VERY scary! Right wheel is 10 cm from the grass and left one on the center line.. and that's already scary at 80 kmh.. then the owner asks you to put in 2nd gear and floor it... and boy the car flies! I was in quicker cars already in the past, but never at the wheel while flooring it myself. The Diablo really goes like stink! When you pass the 5000 rpm you enter warp mode, like a VTEC zone and everything becomes dramaticly crazy! I needed several tries before having the guts to upshift at 7000 rpm, at which point trees are passing by at arond 150 kmh or even more (noway I would look away from the road). You are pushed as far as possble back in the seat and you just try to remember at which speed time stops and start going backwars.
To park it is a nightmare as you can imagine, but that's not the point.

Actually I have no time to post more atm, quite busy and just 4 preview pics.. the rest will be in a future indepth

It was my best automotove day, thanks to a REAl carfreak wanting to share his passion!

http://img145.imagevenue.com/loc204/th_72971_04_05_2006_032.jpg (http://img145.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc204&image=72971_04_05_2006_032.jpg)http://img106.imagevenue.com/loc272/th_72979_04_05_2006_046a.jpg (http://img106.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc272&image=72979_04_05_2006_046a.jpg)http://img148.imagevenue.com/loc273/th_72987_04_05_2006_101.jpg (http://img148.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc273&image=72987_04_05_2006_101.jpg)http://img107.imagevenue.com/loc126/th_73354_04_05_2006_0102.jpg (http://img107.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc126&image=73354_04_05_2006_0102.jpg)

[a007apl]

:P

[saadie]

:shock: :o you lucky lucky luck DUDE!!! 8) 8) 8)
thats one of the best colors for the diablo 8)
you drove the one on the right. .right ... the VT ? :D

[nejcdolinsek]

Oh JESUS!!!!!!! :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

CONGRATS TT!!!!! Once in a lifetime experience!!!! :D :D

[TT]

:shock: :o you lucky lucky luck DUDE!!! 8) 8) 8)
thats one of the best colors for the diablo 8)
you drove the one on the right. .right ... the VT ? :D

Yes, the one on the right, but that's a SV too ;)

[stradale]

WOW, you lucky bastard!

What an incredibly nice guy to let you have a go at it!

[saadie]

he badged it to ... ah ok

:lol:
:mrgreen:

[Ghostbat]

Congrats man. Must be really awesome. To bad all non supercars are gonna suck to drive now :D

[ARMAN]

Congrats man!!! :P Lucky you! :D

[TT]

Congrats man. Must be really awesome. To bad all non supercars are gonna suck to drive now :D

Well, at least now I got a taste at the wheel for Porsche, Ferrari and Lambo, so I can die in peace :D

Actually the past WE I was doing an EVO VII indepth (tuned to 340 hp) and again I could drive it. To tell you the truth, those 340 hp were already quite something, even compared to a Diablo, and I think every car is special in its own way. For sure this Diablo will be with me forever and nothing will probably come close (Miura excepted), but I am sure I'll enjoy any future drive I'll get :D

[stmoritzer]

:D :D YOU LUCKY GUY ! :D :D

Happy to hear you drove another supercar :P :drool:, a ride you'll never forget! The car is wiiiiide with 2.21 overall size 8)

so there were two of them or is the last preview pic from a meeting?

[TT]

Well, at first when we wanted to do the shoot this Sunday, we also informed the second owner, to make a two way indepth. Sadly since we decided at the very last moment do meet today, it was too late for the other owner to come, and we just quickly met at the "Lambo petrol station" (BTW, the owner just got an SE30 Diablo some days ago, #66) for a quick chat and two pics :( better than nothing :D that other was the one in which I had my first ride in a Diablo SV in 2005 ;)

[GT-R_R34]

Congrat TT
i'm dying of Envy.

[gucom]

duuuuuuude you lucky man...awesome :D the car looks absolutely amazing 8) :shock:

[No.1]

Congrats again, TT.

Now you and Jabba can discuss the driving experiences in the Diablo :P

[sameerrao]

Congrats Dude!! I can only imagine how special it must have felt. Here's wishing you more such rides in the future 8)

[666fast]

Congrats TT!

Man, I'm lucky to even see Lambos, much less have the keys of one handed to me!

I hope you thanked him repeatedly!!

[TT]

You bet, and will thank him forever I think :D

[crayzayjay]

I hate you.



:P

[vakpemil]

Awesome! Respect TT! Damn, I would only love to see one in public, then to be a passenger! But to drive a Diablo! Dude :mrgreen: you should write a book! :D Congrats!

[Z3uS]

Congratulations mate! This sure does't happen often! :D

[Everlasting]

I drove a Honda Civic today! u don't see me starting a topic about it!! :roll: :twisted:

j/k u are a lucky bastard :wink:

[Johns]

SICK!! dude..the diablo is a fuckin monster!!! 0X

[pyre2099]

TT, I'm in utter awe, Diablo's are my favorite Italian supercar, and if I ever get the chance, I will definatly buy one. Oh, and you are one lucky *insert swear word of choice here* man.

[DeMoN]

Wow if age increased by experiences had, then you'd be elegible to retire lol. You've had so many cool experiences. I wish I was your neighbour so you'd take me with you on those adventrues. Heck, I'd even help out painting dolls for your girlfriend for it!

[twboy1999]

damn, awsome pics
cnat wait for rest of the pics

[SilviaEvo]

wow TT ur lucky btw do u have a shot of the gear shifter im kinda confused on the description u said in the review. i cant picture it in my mind

[MidEngine4Life]

Sweet! Im so jealous!

[DeMoN]

wow TT ur lucky btw do u have a shot of the gear shifter im kinda confused on the description u said in the review. i cant picture it in my mind

http://www.slantback.com/pictures/2001diablo/diablo-b-82.jpg

I'd put it in [img] tags, but the img is 3264 pixels wide!!

[DeMoN]

http://www.autoweek.com/files/weekart/2004/0802/0802-lambo_shifter.jpg much better now isnt it?

Cars have some sort of protection that once the car is in motion, it wont let you go to R or 1'st gear without applying the "neutral-accelerate-clutch-gear" method. So I suppose there is no chance on messing up the engine even if accidentally trying to find 1st where it is not.

[sentra_dude]

Dood!!!!!!!!!!!! DUDE!!!!! That's fucking awesome!! :D :D :D 8)

And it's a god damn SV too! Holy shit dude, great write-up btw TT, I really felt like I was there getting to drive that beast! Awesome pics to go with the write-up, that's to die for! 8) :P

!!! ;)

[DeMoN]

Yeah, you know TT. I sometimes think he types what he posts while he is doing the event. I wouldnt be able to describe with such details something that happened a while back. No matter how amazing the event was. Its hard to put into text what you felt. TT is a lucky guy for sure.

[pterps]

Congrats TT, I am very happy for you, experienced a few times myself what it is like to drive exclusive sportscars and I know it is breathtaking :good:

[TT]

..Heck, I'd even help out painting dolls for your girlfriend for it!

Shit! :D by doing a sheach for "dolls" on JW I think you get every single topic as a result :D they seem to pop up from nowhere :D

wow TT ur lucky btw do u have a shot of the gear shifter im kinda confused on the description u said in the review. i cant picture it in my mind

Thanks Demon for the pic. Actually the SV had a 5 gears tranny, not 6. So Reverse is really where usually 1st gear is!

[yg60m]

:D I am happy for you TT, that must have been an extraordinary feeling !! Despite the EVO must have impressive accelerations too (turbo engine and co. ) being in a true Supercar, close to the floor, add a dramatic feeling to the experience I guess :wink:

Congrats mate :good: and the fact that your other passion (cameras ) bring all these cars to you must be a nice reward :wink:

[pzgren]

Wow, absolutely great! And http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/1894/iconsmilethumbsup1qt.gif to the owner of this car, that's really great that he gave you the opportunity to drive his car!
i've just checked my pics of the lambo meeting, i guess i've taken some pics of this car too, really an awesome machine! thx for the report TT

[Abel_tan]

Lucky man, in Singapore, there are only 2 Diablos running around and seeing one passing by just leaves you standing drooling at it, i just can't imagine sitting in one and firing up all twelve cylinders and hear that glorious orchestra all in your control. What a baeutiful piece of machinery.... :wink:

[dingo]

I envy you for living in a country with so many supercars despite being small in size, definately increases the chances of things like this happening.

Congrats on this latest experience, I haven't driven a Lambo yet but I'm sure its every bit as amazing as you describe. :D

[P_Zero_Rosso]

Congrats man, this will be an experience to never forget.
I've driven an LM002 a few years ago and its still in my memory.

Can't wait for the in-depth picture update.

[komotar]

As I have said backchanell, I envy you sooo much!

Great short report and I can't wait for more pics of the orange menace. :twisted:

[salegosse]

He drove a Diablo...

:mrgreen:

2nd picture is awesome. 8)

[dutchmasterflex]

Wow.. that's an awesome experience TT! It's amazing what can happen when you introduce yourself to someone!

Keep intouch with this guy, seems like he's a keeper.. LOL :lol:

[TT]

dingo.. maybe next time in the outback? ;)

Dang dude, to drive an LM002 must be an epic thing! next goal is a Miura and an LM002 for me indeed :D

[Pehtren]

Thats fuck*** awsome :P

Im really happy for you, and nice pics :D

your next goal should be the new lambo LP640 :lol:

[RF1]

great experience!!

http://img107.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc126&image=73354_04_05_2006_0102.jpg
awesome

[Wutputt]

As I already said to you: you lucky bastard :D

I envy you a lot, but I'm also pleased you had this experience. The owner must be such a nice guy he let you drive his baby.

[TNT]

:drool: Lamboooooooooooooooo, i will own one..... :roll: all in time. i love that color. great pics.

[Fleischmann]

I can sense your hoy and excitement just by looking at the topic title :D That puts your scoreboard to 2 - you've drive a 360 earlier and now this. And what a generous owner, I can only imagine that if I had the cash I wouln't let anybody behind the steering wheel of my supercar. Congrats.

[SilviaEvo]

http://www.autoweek.com/files/weekart/2004/0802/0802-lambo_shifter.jpg much better now isnt it?

Cars have some sort of protection that once the car is in motion, it wont let you go to R or 1'st gear without applying the "neutral-accelerate-clutch-gear" method. So I suppose there is no chance on messing up the engine even if accidentally trying to find 1st where it is not.
thanks for the pic but this one is a Murcie :wink: but the one above is the Diablo's i didnt know it was a 5 gear tranny i thought it was a 6 gear on all lambos. but man that is weird to see. i know what you mean now TT thatd be really confusing for me too!

[TT]

I can sense your hoy and excitement just by looking at the topic title :D That puts your scoreboard to 2 - you've drive a 360 earlier and now this. And what a generous owner, I can only imagine that if I had the cash I wouln't let anybody behind the steering wheel of my supercar. Congrats.

Well yes, F and L are covered, and partially P (Porsche) too, even if only with a 996 Carrera 4 :bah: better than nothing, but it might change one day :D

I forgot to post this
http://Serv1.imagehigh.com/files/ih000001/22153_45135_04_05_2006_118.jpg (http://www.imagehigh.com)

basically presents the owner took with him for me: polo shirt, hat and 1:18 Diablo. I also have to ask him if I can share on the net the Nardo pics he gave me, they are really something :D

And here is the SV's gearbox:
http://Serv1.imagehigh.com/files/ih000001/17031_diablo993gm.jpg (http://www.imagehigh.com)

BTW, don't even start to argue about the material's quality when seen upclose. Indeed the interior is a bit worn down, but you should consider this car is no garage queen. In one year he did 10'000+ km, can't remember exactly how many, maybe even 15'000.
he DROVE from Switzerland to Nardo, which is around 3000 km back and forth + lapping at 300 kmh+ on the oval track.
This WE he had a business event between his home and Lausanne + the indepth and yesterday I had him at the phone and he told me he did (yesterday alone) 400 km. can't guess how many we did around here, but we burned more than half a tank if I recall correctly.

So it's normal that the car looks a bit "used" and Ihave nothing against it actually :)
This summer he'll have a private track day in Monza, which is pretty close to my parent's, so I'll try to be there to lap on track with him, would be amazing :)

[coombsie66]

Nice 8) An awsome experience for sure.
The conventional name for the gear box shift pattern in question is a 'dog leg' box, the BMW E30 M3's have a dog leg box too. :)

[Evo]

Congragulations TT on getting on the dark side of the moon..
I really know what you mean about having guts to hold the throttle until 7,000 and still be able to shift.. The whole front end of the Diablo lifts up when you accelerate and it's a feeling until now never got from any other car.. not even it's younger brother the gallardo. The Diablo is in a catogary of it's own although a lot of cars are much faster than it is but non can give you the noise and feeling it does..

By the way love the pictures.. Super great quality...and I really hope one day you get to drive a Miura.

[McLaren4eVa]

Damn you lucky wanker the diablo is my all time favourite Lamborghini. I don't prefer lambos now that they have 4WD.

[MidEngine4Life]

http://www.autoweek.com/files/weekart/2004/0802/0802-lambo_shifter.jpg much better now isnt it?

Cars have some sort of protection that once the car is in motion, it wont let you go to R or 1'st gear without applying the "neutral-accelerate-clutch-gear" method. So I suppose there is no chance on messing up the engine even if accidentally trying to find 1st where it is not.

Ah yes thats how my Fiero is, only you cant see it as well as you can there lol. Its a big guessing game when your new to the car. i would imagine the way TT describes it is even more difficult to remember.

Edit: I see the pic he posted now. Yea thats gotta be tough lol

[sikx5]

Wow TT - what an amazing experience, to behind the wheel of a raging bull, congrats man! And its fucken awesome to know it gets driven. MHH on the ferrari chat had a gallardo and did 40,000km+ on it, i think in one year. :shock:

[dingo]

...MHH on the ferrari chat had a gallardo and did 40,000km+ on it, i think in one year. :shock:

33,000km in more than a year. ;)

[TT]

That's really a lot! But a Gallardo is so much more useable than a Diablo ;) so it's quite easy if you have the needed passion, to use it as a daily drive :D

[sikx5]

...MHH on the ferrari chat had a gallardo and did 40,000km+ on it, i think in one year. :shock:

33,000km in more than a year. ;)

ahhh you are correct :). I just checked, could of swarn it was 40,000 + :lol:

[karcs]

congrats!!! diablo sv is my dream car... id love to drive one! must have been an insane experience!

the shifter is a bit weird at first but most cars have a lock on reverse and you need to push straight down to use it so theres no mistakes made. i think the 993s are the worst since you can easily push it left too far and be in reverse and not first. u gotta get used to the different shifters if you're gonna keep drivin these supercars! i know some other cars have a similar setup.. only one i can think of right now is a 328

http://anything-auto.net/CARS/Ferrari/1985_328_GTS/85328gts_05.jpg

[Schwalbe]

Congrats TT for this special ride onboard the famous Lambo Diablo SV. :clap:

Thanks for your pix and your cool report. :good:

[challe]

Yeahhhhh You Lucky Guy !

Challe / 0X