1989 Lamborghini LM002 SUV

Lamborghini sought to land a US military contract. Their first model intended to win the contract was the Cheetah which they introduced in 1977. This was followed by the LM002. Unfortunately for Lamborghini, the contract would eventually go to the Hummer H1.

The LM002 had a rear-mounted Chrysler V8. This setup gave the vehicle unpredictable handling. The prototype was destroyed during testing. A second prototype example with an AMC V8 (LM001) shared a similar fate. Lamborghini redesigned the concept resulting in the LM002, powered by a front-engined Countach V12. The LM002 was introduced at the 1981 Geneva Auto Show.

The LM002 became popular in the Middle East in both military and civilian versions. The civilian versions were introduced in Brussels in 1986 and were popular with Arab sheiks. These versions had leather interior, stereos and air conditioning. The potent Countach V12 gave them a zero-to-sixty mph time of just 7.7 seconds. Top speed was in the neighborhood of 125 mph. At 8 mpg, the 76-gallon fuel tank came in handy.

The LM002 rode on Scorpion run-flat tires developed by Pirelli. Each tire cost a staggering $1,600.

The military version of the LM002 were much plainer but had mounts for machine guns and opening roofs. The Saudi Army purchased 40, and Moammar Ghadafi reportedly ordered 100.

This LM002 was in a private California collection for many years. It has been kept in climate-controlled storage and been well maintained.

Only 301 examples of the LM002s were built.

In 2010, this car was offered for sale at the Sports & Classics of Monterey presented by RM Auctions. This car was estimated to sell for $80,000 - $100,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $77,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2010