Borderland Customs sold their Lamborghini Diablo for $215,000 at their Art and Culture exhibit, marking the final sale of Tex Mex Motors season 2. The deal took place after a two-stage negotiation where collector Judge moved from $200,000 to the final amount, against the team's initial asking price of $250,000.
The sale brought their total winter profits to $482,400, missing their $500,000 target by $17,600. This transaction came after their record-breaking Chevrolet C10 sale, which netted $63,000 from a $2,500 investment. Tex Mex Motors Season 2 star, Robert "Rabbit" Pitts led the negotiations at the cultural exhibition, which combined local art displays with the supercar sale.
The modified Diablo featured Arancio Borealis paint and Mexican-style Huichol art elements, following extensive mechanical repairs including corrosion fixes and oil leak solutions. This event marked Rabbit's final televised sale before his death in August 2024, concluding with his practical approach: "Sometimes oatmeal's better than no meal."
Tex Mex Motors team sells prized Diablo below asking price in final deal
The Art and Culture exhibit in Tex Mex Motors Season 2 Finale transformed into a strategic sales venue, combining high-end automotive sales with El Paso's artistic community. The Borderland Customs team received two offers for the Diablo during the event. The first potential buyer proposed $175,000, which was $75,000 short of the asking price, leading to a quick rejection.
But Judge's $200,000 offer led to a focused negotiation. The discussion moved through several price points, with Judge maintaining that $215,000 was his maximum offer. The sale impacted the crew's winter goal, leaving it just shy of their targeted $500,000 profit margin.
Technical issues and preparations
The Diablo's preparation revealed multiple mechanical challenges. At the specialty shop, technicians identified corrosion issues. Wes' detailed examination also uncovered several stress cracks requiring immediate attention. Plus, the diffuser had structural weaknesses that could affect the car's stability at high speed.
After returning to Borderland Customs, Jamie spotted a persistent oil leak, which was traced to the oil pan's drain plug area. The team worked through these mechanical issues, ensuring all repairs met their quality standards before the exhibition.
The restoration process involved specific technical modifications to maintain the vehicle's performance capabilities. The team focused on structural integrity while preserving the Diablo's core engineering features.
Andy led the exterior work, choosing Arancio Borealis, a factory Lamborghini color. His team added traditional Mexican-style Huichol art elements to the design, creating a unique blend of automotive and cultural aesthetics. Each modification required precise attention to maintain the car's value while addressing its mechanical needs.
Financial context
The Diablo sale came after the team's major success with a Chevrolet C10 transaction. The Tex Mex Motors Season 2 crew purchased the C10 for $2,500. Through targeted modifications including Texas-inspired design elements and structural improvements, they sold it for $63,000. This C10 deal marked the highest profit margin in Borderland Customs' history, exceeding 650% return on investment.
Before the Lamborghini transaction, Scooter informed the team they needed $227,000 to reach their winter profit goals. This financial pressure influenced their sales strategy at the Art and Culture exhibit.
Final exhibition strategy
The event planning faced logistical challenges when Rabbit's guest list grew to 300 people, surpassing their initial venue's capacity. This forced a last-minute location change and required the team to contact all invited guests with updated details. The expanded guest list aimed to attract serious buyers while showcasing local artistic talent.
Multiple potential buyers attended, creating the competitive atmosphere the team wanted. The exhibition merged automotive excellence with cultural elements, displaying the Diablo alongside works from area artists.
This strategy proved effective in attracting their target market of high-end collectors and maintaining their market position despite growing competition. The sale concluded as Chema from Juárez approached Scooter with a business proposition, offering to source quality vehicles for a 35% commission.
The partnership remained under discussion as the Tex Mex Motors Season 2 ended, leaving questions about future inventory sourcing strategies. The team's careful preparation and strategic pricing helped sell the Diablo despite not reaching their original asking price.
Tex Mex Motors Season 2 is streaming on Netflix