A Lamborghini Diablo so treasured by media personality and global “Mr Paparazzi” Darryn Lyons that he once included it in his will to be buried in, is now set to go under the hammer through Lloyds Auctions, as part of The Darryn Lyons Living Estate Collection. The Lamborghini Diablo is one of the standout lots in the seven-part auction series and carries one of the more unusual stories in the collection, with Lyons revealing the car was once so important to him that he had it part of his final farewell.
“Expected to fetch more than $1 million, the Lamborghini Diablo has already generated strong enquiry ahead of auction, driven by its celebrity provenance, remarkable backstory and collector appeal. Previously owned by Rod Stewart and later cherished by Darryn Lyons, the car carries the kind of history, story and public interest rarely seen in a single vehicle offering,” Lee Hames, Chief Operations Officer, Lloyds Auctions commented “This is the kind of story that immediately captures public attention because it says everything about how much the car meant to Darryn Lyons, It’s not often you come across a vehicle that a vendor says was once intended to go with him to the grave. That gives people a very clear sense of the attachment he had to it, With Rod Stewart ownership and a burial wish once written into Darryn Lyons’ will, this Lamborghini Diablo is far more than a supercar, it is one of the most extraordinary auction lots to hit the market this year,”.
Lyons has described the Diablo as one of the greatest thrills of his life, linking it back to a childhood dream of one day owning and driving a car like it. Over the years, the vehicle became one of the most treasured possessions in his private collection.
“It’s been one of the biggest thrills of my life. As a small boy, I dreamed of one day owning and driving a car like this, so when it goes, there will absolutely be a tear. It has given me a huge amount of fun over the years and, in my view, it remains one of the greatest cars ever built,” Lyons commented.
The car also carries a celebrity backstory, having previously been owned by Rod Stewart before later becoming part of Lyons’ collection. Lloyds Auctions said the combination of celebrity provenance, strong emotional attachment and broad collector appeal made it one of the most compelling lots in the auction series.
“Cars like this always attract attention, but this one goes further because of the story attached to it,” Hames commented “It has celebrity ownership, a deeply personal connection for Darryn Lyons, and the kind of unusual backstory that makes it stand out well beyond the automotive market.”
Lyons said the Diablo had never been for sale despite receiving multiple approaches over the years, and only formed part of the current auction because he is releasing the broader collection.
“Several people have offered to buy it over the years, but it was never for sale,” Lyons commented “This is the first time I’ve decided it should go with the rest of the collection. I’ve said before that I loved it enough to want to be buried in it, so that gives you some idea of how much it has meant to me.”
The Lamborghini forms part of The Living Estate of Darryn Lyons Collection, a seven-part auction series featuring vehicles, luxury watches, designer fashion, antiques, wine, fine art and memorabilia collected across decades in Australia and overseas. With the Diablo closing this Saturday, Lloyds Auctions expects strong last-minute bidding as collectors, enthusiasts and media watchers compete for one of the most talked-about cars in the sale. More about the Auction of the Roadster.