An Italian furniture maker and gentleman racer has combined his two passions in creating a remarkable resto-mod Lamborghini Diablo. Having built a home-furnishing empire, entrepreneur Emanuel Colombini who competes in the Super Trofeo Lamborghini series, has now decided get into the car making game.
He’s not going it alone, of course, bringing in a group of experts to make his dream a reality. The design work has been done by consultancy Borromeo & deSilva, which previously penned the lovely Nardone Porsche 928 resto-mod, along with technical support from Brembo for braking, Capristo for the exhaust, Alcantara for fabrics, and Marantz for the audio system.
The Diablo will be the first car from Colombini’s new company Eccentrica, and it’s been a long time coming, he explains. “As a child I remember seeing the red Diablo in the first release of the Quattroruote magazine. It was love at first sight!,” he says. “Later, after having had the chance to drive the GT version, I decided to pay homage to it, conceiving of a resto-mod company built around this project. At its essence lies the idea that the hypercar and supercar market will require a product with a more authentic soul, precisely like the sensations drivers experienced while driving these speedsters.”
Although all the bodywork is actually new Borromeo & deSilva has been careful not to corrupt the original Marcello Gandini design too much. The nose is simplified, and modern lighting is installed, while the side skirts now boast significant aero features. Twin air scoops feed the engine bay and the rear retains its trademark four circular lights, albeit updated with the latest technology. The Eccentrica is wider than the donor car and wears 19-inch rims with Pirelli tyres.
The interior has had a total overhaul in Alcantara and carbon fiber, with a dashboard that is perhaps even more retro than the original Diablo. The digital display has a charming 8-bit graphic quality, while still being clear and functional.
The 5.7-litre V12 engine receives new valves and camshafts to increase power to 550hp at 7,000rpm. With the lightweighting that has gone on throughout the car, Eccentrica claims a 0-62mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 220mph. The steel tubular chassis is said to be reinforced, and Brembo six-piston monoblock calipers are fitted, but there’s no detail on suspension upgrades.
Eccentrica is planning to make just 19 examples, priced from £1 million, with each taking 18 months to build. If you can’t wait that long to see one the car will be on display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
