Like every previous president since the 1960s, Donald Trump is escorted around by skilled Secret Service personnel and is not permitted to drive on public roadways. Prior to becoming president, he possessed some extremely cool vehicles, one of which just brought in $1.1 million at a Barrett-Jackson auction.
This 1997 Lamborghini Diablo VT roadster, which is scheduled to be auctioned off in Scottsdale in 2024, was purportedly configured and bought brand-new by President Trump. It has an interior that is two tones off-white and black, a gated five-speed manual gearbox and a finish called Blu Le Mans, a blue that was purportedly unavailable to regular consumers that year. The supercar’s 5.7-liter V12 engine produces 492 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, which is more than enough to propel it to a top speed of 202 mph.
Although Barrett-Jackson points out that Trump sold the Diablo in 2002, suggesting that the “TRUMP 2016” decal on the rear window was placed more than ten years after he took control of the vehicle, a small “Donald Trump Diablo 1997” plate on the inside of the driver’s door appears to verify he purchased it brand-new. Since Trump sold it, the car has had two owners, according to the auction house, thus the buyer who paid $1.1 million is the third owner.
The Carfax report shows a mileage discrepancy in August 2003, even though the odometer reads roughly 24,900 km, or 15,500 miles. This did not discourage buyers, as the winning bid of more than twice that amount was made on the car in less than 30 seconds. Although there was no reserve, the highest bidder would have won it no matter where the bidding ended. However, $1.1 million was probably more than anyone had anticipated; even the VT versions of the Diablo often sell for less than $500,000.
RM Sotheby’s, for instance, sold a 1998 model with slightly over 3,000 miles for $467,500 the year before and a 1999 VT Roadster with over 18,800 miles for $456,000 in 2023. The standard price of the Diablo’s earlier rear-wheel drive variant is typically much lower.
This Diablo VT become a seven-figure vehicle thanks to celebrity ownership and an apparently unique setup. Beyond that, it appears to have been kept in reasonably good shape. It was sold with two tool kits and its owner’s manual; it hasn’t been modified in a questionable manner.