Fancy owning a little piece of rock ’n’ roll history? Well, now’s your chance – although you’ll probably need considerably more than the loose change in your glovebox.
A spectacular 1998 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster once owned by Sir Rod Stewart is being auctioned in Australia, with bidding having started at the rather tempting price of just $1.
Yes, one dollar. Less than a cup of coffee, a supermarket trolley token or approximately three seconds of running a Lamborghini.
Unfortunately for bargain hunters, the price has – of course – already rocketed into six-figure territory, proving that even at 81, Sir Rod still knows how to attract a crowd.
The flamboyant supercar is being sold through Lloyds Auctions as part of a collection belonging to Australian businessman, former Geelong mayor and self-proclaimed “Mr Paparazzi” Darryn Lyons.
And if you thought Rod Stewart was colourful, wait until you meet the man who bought his car.
Lyons, famous for his outrageous hairstyles and celebrity photography empire, purchased the Lamborghini from a specialist dealer in England, who told him the Maggie May singer had only recently dropped it off.
Before handing over his money, Lyons was taken for a high-speed spin through the Oxfordshire countryside by a former racing driver turned car salesman.
He later described the experience as one of the most frightening of his life.
Naturally, he bought the car anyway.
The Lamborghini, which boasts a mighty 5.7-litre V12 engine, has remained one of Lyons’ most treasured possessions, fulfilling a childhood dream of owning one of the world’s most outrageous supercars.
“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,” Lyons said.
“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.”
Despite receiving plenty of offers over the years, Lyons has steadfastly refused to part with his prized possession – until now.
“Several people have offered to buy it over the years, but it was never for sale,” he explained. “This is the first time I’ve decided it should go with the rest of the collection.”
Of course, Stewart’s love affair with exotic Italian machinery is almost as legendary as his love affair with leopard print.
The Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? singer has owned a succession of Lamborghinis and Ferraris over the decades, and has never been shy about showing off his impressive collection.
In a 2024 Instagram post, he described five of his beloved sports cars as works of art, crediting his fans for making his extravagant motoring passion possible.
“I’ve been driving these iconic Italian cars since the seventies, and I absolutely love and adore them,” he wrote.
The Diablo is among the star attractions in a seven-part auction of Lyons’ possessions, which also includes luxury watches, designer fashion, antiques, fine art and memorabilia.
Lloyds Auctions chief operations officer Lee Hames believes the car’s combination of celebrity history and collector appeal will attract attention from around the world.
“It stands out not only because Rod Stewart previously owned it, but because of the way Darryn Lyons came to buy it and the significance it has carried for him since,” Hames said.
Bidding is open through Lloyds Auctions and closes on Saturday, October 31.
So, if you’ve ever dreamed of cruising around in Sir Rod’s old Lamborghini, there’s still time to make that dream come true.
Just don’t expect to pick it up for a dollar.
And whatever you do, don’t ask how much it costs to fill the tank.
