Lamborghini Diablo SV · 1995–1999

The Diablo SV is the rear-wheel-drive, driver-focused version of the Diablo, using the naturally aspirated 5.7-litre V12 without the VT's viscous-coupling all-wheel drive or electronically adjustable suspension. Priced below the VT when new, it is now prized for its RWD purity, the adjustable-wing and twin-scoop looks, and comparatively low production.

The one to have: A clean pre-facelift 1996–1998 SV: the 5.7-litre, 510 PS V12 driving the rear wheels only through a 5-speed manual, on factory OZ Racing monoblock wheels, in a solid colour with the adjustable three-piece rear wing and twin roof scoops. Step-up specs are the rarer 1999 facelift (530 PS VVT engine, fixed headlamps) and the 20-car US-only Monterey Edition.

Specification

Engine

5.7L V12

5,707 cc, 48-valve DOHC, naturally aspirated, longitudinal; 1999 cars gain variable valve timing

Output

510 PS

375 kW / 503 hp and 580 Nm (428 lb-ft) at 5,900 rpm; 1999 VVT engine 530 PS (523 hp), 605 Nm

Top speed

~191 mph

Rear-wheel drive; 0-60 mph in roughly 3.9-4.0 seconds

Gearbox

5-speed manual

Rear-wheel drive only; no VT viscous AWD or electronic dampers; ~1,576 kg (3,474 lb)

The market

Verified sales on file

Dec 2023 – Aug 2025

Median sale

$450k

all tracked results

★ Pre-facelift 510 PS monoblock SV

$450k

median of 1 target-spec sales

Know the real one

The SV deleted the VT's viscous-coupling all-wheel drive and electronically adjustable dampers, driving the rear wheels only — the lightest, most driver-focused Diablo of its era despite being positioned below the VT in the range when new.

Production was limited: roughly 250 pre-facelift 5.7L cars (510 PS, 1995–1998), then about 100 facelift 1999 cars with fixed headlamps and the 530 PS VVT engine; the US-only Monterey Edition added just 20 cars in 1998.

Twin roof scoops and a large adjustable three-piece rear wing are the SV's identity tells. Do not confuse it with the AWD Diablo VT, with the 1999 facelift's fixed (pop-up-delete) headlamps, or with the stripped, roll-caged, fixed-headlamp SV-R race car (31 built).

Factory OZ Racing monoblock wheels — usually black-centred with a polished lip — plus the adjustable wing, 'SV' side graphics and Brembo brakes are correct-era tells; a pre-facelift 510 PS monoblock car in a solid colour is the collector default, while heavily modified or twin-turbo conversions sell at a discount.

Verified sales · ★ = target spec · foreign results converted to USD as noted

Date	Venue	Year	Spec	Miles	Price	Loc	Note
Aug 2025	Gooding & Company	1998	SV Monterey Edition, Blu Scuro, 18th of 20 built	16,466	$527,500	CA	Pebble Beach; special-order Blu Scuro, over the $425k-$525k estimate. US-only Monterey sub-variant, not the base monoblock SV.
Aug 2025	Cars & Bids	1998	Pre-facelift 5.7L SV	—	$405,000	—	Online sale (Aug 2025); consistent with the low-$400k band for clean pre-facelift SVs.
Aug 2024	Broad Arrow Auctions	1999	1999 facelift, 530 PS VVT engine, fixed headlamps	12,474	$720,000	CA	Monterey Jet Center sale; a public benchmark for the final 530 PS facelift SV. Represented with about 12,474 miles.
Aug 2024	Bonhams	1998	SV 'Monterey Edition' Twin Turbo (period-modified)	—	$280,000	CA	Quail Lodge; twin-turbo-converted Monterey. The below-market price reflects the non-standard forced-induction modification versus a stock SV.
Dec 2023	Bring a Trailer	1998	Pre-facelift 5.7L, 510 PS monoblock SV, yellow ★	26,000	$450,000	—	Target-tier pre-facelift monoblock car; representative mid-range result for a driven but clean example.

Where to hunt

Bring a Trailer — Diablo resultsDiablo auction history and live listings Classic.com — Diablo SV marketAggregated sold prices and trend Glenmarch — Diablo SV resultsGlobal auction result database

Research file — market data verified through July 18, 2026. Sources: individually observed results via Classic.com feeds, BaT, Cars & Bids, Mecum, RM Sotheby's, Broad Arrow, Gooding, Collecting Cars, PCARMARKET and venue coverage, plus marque registries and factory press material.