This 1992 Lamborghini Diablo, NLA12714 and it's screenmate, a Ferrari F355 Challenge car were unloaded off a truck in the US, after it's trip originating at
Pinewood Studios outside London, England.
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The new owner, Don Smith will get to restoring it back to it's original glory. After being able to buy this special Diablo, Don was
waiting on some of the estoeric parts, such as the "Q" Division data plate that is currently being signed by all of the guys that
worked with the cars on the Bond movie 'Die another day', that featured this red Diablo.
The car marked the only appearance of Lamborghini in any of the Bond movies, and was portrayed to be owned by Bond's nemesis, Gustav Graves.
Wanting to be like Bond, he had a few gadgets installed including a Eurovox AM/FM/CD/CD Changer, DVD player and Magellan Navigation system.
The Lamborghini was shown throughout the movie, and was one of only 2 cars selected by Graves to be taken by him into exile and subsequently shown
prominently during the climactic finale.
The car was rather unceremoniously "unloaded" from the back of an AN-124 cargo plane while inflight, and helped Bond and Jinx to escape the burning
aircraft at the last moment.
The car was again shown later on, stuck nose down in the "rice paddy" as Bond makes his low level pass.
After production, the car was placed into long-term storage (parked in a barn on the backlot of the studio to be precise).
Later, Mr Smith was invited to purchase this car (and the yellow F355 used in the same film) from Eon Productions.
This was actually one of the only times they have offered any 'Bond Cars' for sale to anyone outside the production company.
Don Smith was considered because of his friendship with a major member of the production crew, and that he was a genuine enthusiast for the films and cars
in general (and not primarily motivated by greed).
The Diablo was in rough shape after production and despareatly in need of repair. Don spent 3 months at the studio, dismantling the car into
component pieces, and shipping the parts to the US for restoration.
After that, Don, his father and some close friends helped get the car put back together in about 10 months, and ready for it's first showing in
Oct 2003.
It had it's debut at the 2003 Texas Running of the Bulls, and was given the People's Choice award for the event.
June 2004, Mr Smith was asked to show it at the United Cerebral Palsy Classy Chassis Car Show at Reliant Staduim, Houston Tx.
July 2004 the car was the main showpiece for Stuff Magazine's first annual XPO technology showcase expo at Hyatt Regency, Houston Tx and was held
in conjunction with Major League Baseball's All-Star game held in Houston.
It was mentioned on MLB.Com and a report for ESPN2's Cold Pizza Morning TV show was taped from this car at the event.
The car is to be featured in an upcoming issue of Stuff Magazine relating to the XPO event.
Copywrite and images courtesy of Don Smith
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