Back in August, cool-as-hell surprise gearhead John Cena explained why he bought a fake Lamborghini kit car. Even better, it only took him two decades or so to get it running properly. Hilariously, even though he just finished it, it appears he’s already looking to get rid of the damned thing!
The car has been listed on Bring a Trailer by Naples Motorsports down in Florida. The car is seen looking resplendent in metallic blue, shined up to the nines with those ostentatious phone dial wheels. To the average person, this thing is every bit a Lamborghini, even if it’s never seen Italy in its life.
The best bit, though? We finally get an answer to the mystery—who built this thing, and what went into it?
All The Details
When last we spoke, I did my darndest to figure out the back story of this car. We only had a few sentences to go on from Cena’s podcast interview. We pretty much just knew the car was a replica and that it rocked a BMW V12 in the back. I spent a long day researching on old forums and swimming through the archives of the Wayback Machine, and I formed a pretty cogent theory. Based on the engine, the timing of the purchase, and the details of the build, I figured this replica was built on a chassis from North American Exotic Replica Cars (NAERC).
Sweet vindication—it turns out I was right! While we don’t know all the workshops that got involved in the project over the years, the seller confirmed that it was indeed a NAERC build. “This car did not have a donor car but is a custom chassis offered by NAERC ( North American Exotic Replica Cars) who sold plans and kits that used BMW V-12 power,” stated the seller. “This car [was] originally purchased and started around 2003.”
The Bring a Trailer listing includes a build book, which goes over the parts that went into the build. Given everything is custom, this is a crucial guide for anyone who buys this thing and needs to maintain it in future. The documents state that the engine is a “1988 BMW 750 V12″—more accurately, that should probably read 750i or 750 iL. In any case, stock, its power would have been around the 300 hp mark, with 332 pound-feet of torque. However, the engine has been installed in a completely new vehicle with custom exhaust components and a full standalone FuelTech ECU. Thus, it could be in a higher (or lower) state of tune at present. Without dyno documentation, it’s hard to say either way. The seller notes that they have no dyno sheets, and believe the engine to be largely stock.
The rest of the build is very much assembled from various bits and pieces. The transmission is from a Porsche 944 Turbo (also referred to as the 951). Shift cables were sourced from an Audi 5000. The power steering rack and pump are both from a 2000 Chevrolet Camaro, with brakes sourced from the C5 Corvette. Air conditioning was achieved via a Vintage Air Gen IV kit.
There are some details on this build that are very kit car in nature. Hilariously, there’s no direct speedometer sensor feed from the transmission, either mechanical or electronic. Instead, the speedometer signal is fed by a GPS unit from VDO, so don’t expect it to work in tunnels. As a bonus, if it’s run off a switched 12-volt supply, it takes up to a minute to get a GPS lock from a cold start.
Oh, and there’s also a JoyBring touchscreen stereo in the dash. If you haven’t heard of them, it’s probably because their website is listed as a Facebook page. Not exactly the highest quality gear. The Vintage Air HVAC controls are also hidden behind a plastic panel because the hot-rod styling wouldn’t suit the Lamborghini interior. Sadly, they’re poorly camouflaged.
Obviously, being a kit car, there will always be some questions around the quality of the build. Indeed, the fact that the build hopped between multiple shops and took twenty years to finish only adds to that concern. To that end, the seller directly addressed this on the listing:
Ok guys, thank you for the comments and let’s start by getting the story straight. Yes, John went through many shops, none of which met his high standards, just like you would require for your own car but this car was completed by an absolute genius, John’s words, and I have to agree. This car not just looks great but it does drive great as well. Many of you that have kit projects in your garage that have been there for years will understand the time and money that goes into completing a project like this one so please add positive, productive and helpful comments here.
-Naples Motorsports
Bottom line: this thing looks pretty great from a distance. Up close and inside, it’s true nature becomes a little more obvious. It will obviously never sell for real Diablo money. Its real value is in how it runs and drives. The seller has driven the car, and found it to be a positive experience. “I was surprised to see how nice the car handled and felt overall,” commented the seller. ” I did really enjoy the short time in the car.” It also looks good in a short video shared on the listing. In response to queries, the seller has stated it “might” be possible for Cena to sign the car, too, which could add some value to a serious fan.
At the time of writing, the bidding stands at $76,000 with two days remaining. That will go higher towards the end, but the final value is anyone’s guess at this point. A quick glance over at Classic Driver suggests real Diablos start in the mid-$300,000 range. As a vaguely-educated guess, I’d expect this replica to sell for something less than half that figure. It’s also just worth noting that while the car is listed with 33 miles on the clock, the seller notes that their test drive has pushed that to 43 miles at the current time. We’re also told the car has a clean Florida title, as a 2000 replica for some reason. Close enough, I guess.
Incidentally, if you’re a fan of pretty replicas, you might like Cena’s other build. Naples Motorsports is also selling a Jaguar XJ13 replica built by Predator Performance. It looks absolutely stunning with a slammed stance in British Racing Green, with bidding currently sitting at $80,000 with just hours remaining. It’s cooler and more obscure than the Diablo, and has a real Jaguar V12 beating inside. Maybe you should buy both.
In any case, Cena’s experience should be a lesson to us all. Even if you have superstar wrestler money, trying to get a kit car finished can lead to decades of pain and thousands of dollars spent. Even now that he’s reached the finish line, it’s perhaps telling that Cena has chosen to liquidate his Lamborghini, post haste. If you do figure out how to build a kit car without going bankrupt, getting divorced, or losing your mind, do write in and tell us how you did it.
Image credits: Bring a Trailer (story); Good Morning America/Youtube (top graphic)
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The real MVP is Lamborghini. You know they know this exists, it’s an easy lawsuit but they’re just like “Cool, whatever, check these hybrids out!”
I had to look up who John Cena is. There are too many semi-celebrities to keep track of, especially for those of us who don’t care about celebrities in the least.
He is a WWE wrestler. Whoopee.
And the car – if you have a Lamborghini, fantastic.
If you have a faux almost-sort-of-Lamborghini, great, and we all wish you the best, but any woman who thinks you are the shizzle because you drive a Lambo must be wearing very thick glasses.
Higher visibility these days is as an actor. He is soon to retire from wrestling. Check him out in Amy Schumer’s “Train Wreck”. He’s a hoot in it…
This sparked the memory of a local Stratus based Countach tribute. Upon first sighting, it was almost a parody of a drag car: jacked up with cut fenders, massive rear wheels, but the angular Countach wing. Over the next year, it gained boxy flares, creases, scoops, and it became obvious where he was going. Even a 4yo would know it wasn’t real, but he was having fun, and it certainly brought the smiles
Well it looks like it sold for $146K….
This thing strikes me as a poor life decision from lng ago that is now getting a lot of press. To me the oddest things are the Audi 5000 parts and the Camaro steering. Camaros weren’t exactly known for their road feel as I recall.
I’m not a WWE fan but I think Cena is a great comedic actor who doesn’t take him too seriously. He’s hilarious in Amy Schumer’s “Trainwreck”.
Oh, that’s easy. The replica Jag is less tacky because it’s more likely to be better built than the original.
I’d argue the same goes for that Lamborghini interior too!
“This car not just looks great but it does drive great as well.”
That was almost coherent, you’re getting close AI.
It always amazes me how little effort people put into advertisements for things they are trying to sell for big money, in this case 6-figure territory.
If it only took him 20 years to get running, that should’ve been the first clue that isn’t a real Lambo, dude.
“Shift cables were sourced from an Audi 5000″
Now I can die a happy man. A piece of my old 1984 Audi 5000 lives on in a Pseudoghini (metaphorically-speaking). Good thing they didn’t snap the shift cables from my Renault Scenic.