The Only Cizeta-Moroder V16T Prototype Ever Built Heads to RM Sotheby's
Unlike the nine production units that followed, Chassis 001 boasts larger straked side intakes, custom body creases, and a vibrant red leather interior.
Summary
The Chassis 001 is the sole prototype bearing the full Cizeta-Moroder name, featuring a transverse 540-horsepower V16 engine.
Fully restored by Canepa and Rex Nguyen, the 1988 showpiece includes an exclusive music and 3D asset package.
Chassis 001 stands as the only example to officially bear the hyphenated Cizeta-Moroder name. The vehicle was born from a partnership between former Lamborghini engineer Claudio Zampolli and acclaimed music producer Giorgio Moroder. When Chrysler took over Lamborghini and softened the sharp lines of the upcoming Diablo, legendary designer Marcello Gandini walked away. He brought his uncompromised original vision to Zampolli. The result is a radically aggressive silhouette that stretches three inches wider than a Ferrari Testarossa. To back up the dramatic aesthetics, the team mounted a 6.0-liter naturally aspirated V16 engine transversely behind the cabin. Paired with a five-speed manual transmission, the 64-valve powerhouse delivers 540 horsepower at 8,000 rpm.
The pearl white supercar made its global debut in Los Angeles on December 5, 1988. Jay Leno hosted the event while Moroder composed an original track titled “A Car Is Born” specifically for the unveiling. Because Moroder eventually left the project before series manufacturing began, this specific unit remains the sole prototype wearing the full badge. It also features numerous unique design elements absent from the nine subsequent production cars. These exclusive details include significantly larger side air intakes with additional strakes, a diagonal crease in the lower bodywork, distinct side mirrors and a completely custom red leather interior.
Owning a prototype of this magnitude carries a major caveat. The vehicle lacks a standard 17-digit VIN and cannot be registered for public street use. However, its value as an automotive artifact is undeniable. The Cizeta-Moroder V16T represents a rare moment in automotive history where unbridled engineering met Hollywood flair without corporate interference. Moroder retained ownership of the car for decades before commissioning a full mechanical restoration by Canepa Design. The shop added crucial heat shielding around the fuel tanks and completely sorted the complex mechanics.
More recently, the car received over $13,000 USD in cosmetic service by Rex Nguyen to ensure it matched its exact 1988 appearance. The historical showpiece recently graced the lawns at the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It is now slated to cross the block at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction. The winning bidder will receive the physical car alongside a one-of-one digital asset package. This inclusion features an exclusive four-track EP by Moroder and artistic 3D digital renderings created in collaboration with digital artist Jeremy Ian Thomas.
