In a tale that’s part perseverance, part comedy, and all too relatable, WWE superstar and actor John Cena has finally succeeded in getting his Lamborghini Diablo kit car running—after an astonishing 20-year journey filled with mechanical setbacks and more expenses than the cost of a real Lamborghini. Despite his wealth and success, Cena’s adventure with this replica has become a story of patience, persistence, and the perils of cutting corners.
It all started in 2003 when Cena, who could easily afford an authentic Lamborghini, opted for a kit car instead. The vehicle was a replica of a Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster, complete with a BMW V12 engine, and seemed like a fun project at the time. Little did he know it would take him two decades to bring the car to life.
Cena’s frustrations began almost immediately. After receiving the car in 2005, he quickly discovered that it wasn’t even roadworthy. The engine was in disarray, cobbled together from mismatched parts, and the car wouldn’t shift into gear. Over the next 20 years, the replica was sent to at least ten different shops, with mechanics struggling to make the kit car functional. Each failed attempt added to the cost, and Cena soon found himself sinking more and more money into the project.
By the time the car was finally roadworthy in 2023, Cena estimated that he had spent the equivalent of one and a half brand-new Lamborghinis on the project—roughly $409,000. That’s a staggering amount for a replica, especially when the original Diablo VT Roadster retailed for $273,000 back in 1997.
Despite the headaches, Cena has taken it all in stride, even joking about the ordeal in interviews. The car may be a replica, but for Cena, finally getting it running is a victory in itself.