1989 Lamborghini LM002

The Lamborghini LM002 was a sharp-edged sport utility vehicle powered by a Countach-sourced 450-horsepower V-12 fed from a 45-gallon fuel tank. Riding on Pirelli run-flat tires, the four-wheel-drive LM002 could traverse the harshest terrain while carrying four passengers in leather-wrapped bucket seats and surrounded by wood veneer trim.

Lamborghini unveiled its unorthodox LM002 in 1986 at the Brussels Motor Show, and over the seven-year production lifespan, they would sell 328 copies. This was not the company's first attempt at off-road mobility, as it was preceded by two prototype vehicles dubbed the Cheetah and the LM001. These two vehicles had rear-mounted American engines and were intended for military applications, ultimately failing to find interested parties. The LM002 was the first of these three models to enter production.

Lamborghini Cheetah

The genesis of Lamborghini's foray into the world of off-road mobility was the Cheetah built in 1977. The Mobility Technology International (MTI) received a contract by the U.S. military to design and build an all-terrain vehicle, which in turn contracted Lamborghini to build the vehicle. MTI provided the design, which, it turns out, belonged to FMC. Legal action followed, with FMC going after MTI and Lamborghini in 1977.

The Lamborghini Cheetah rested on a 118-inch wheelbase and had an overall length of 179 inches. Power was sourced from a 5.9-liter, waterproofed Chrysler V8 engine offering 180 horsepower and paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. The body was formed from lightweight fiberglass and the interior had capacity for four fully equipped soldiers as well as the driver.

Lamborghini LM001

The LM001 was designed by Giulio Alfieri and built by Lamborghini. It was similar to the Cheetah but used a 5.9-liter AMC-built V8 engine producing 180 horsepower. This prototype off-road vehicle was unveiled in 1981 at the Geneva Auto Show, but it did not enter production due to poor acceleration and unfavorable handling characteristics.

Lamborghini LM002

Lamborghini had ignited the supercar movement with its mid-engine Miura, but this configuration proved problematic in its SUV prototypes. For its LM002, Lamborghini chose traditional front-engine placement hoping to resolve the handling issues of its predecessors. Using an all-new chassis and equipped with a Countach V12 engine, Lamborghini unveiled the so-called 'Rambo-Lambo' at the Brussels Auto Show in 1986.

The Lamborghini LM002 had a 116.1-inch wheelbase, an overall length of 188.6 inches, a width of 78.7 inches, and stood 72.8 inches tall. It tipped the scales at nearly 6,000 lbs. (curb weight). Pirelli was tasked with creating two different custom, run-flat tires with one intended for mixed use and the other for sand. Dubbed the Scorpion, these tires could handle the desert heat and could be run virtually flat.

The Countach-sourced 450-horsepower V12 engine was fed from a 45-gallon fuel tank (8 mpg fuel consumption), and sent its power through a five-speed manual gearbox and two-speed transfer case to wheels. THE DOHC, 5,167cc unit had six Weber carburetors and produced 444 horsepower. The suspension was independent front and rear with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers. Stopping power was provided by four-wheel hydraulic ventilated disc brakes.

Performance was impressive considering the vehicle's overall weight, with zero-to-sixty mph taking just 7.7 seconds.

The interior was more akin to a boulevard cruiser rather than an all-terrain vehicle, with fine leather, glossy wood trim, power windows, and winch controls.

The LM002 offered power and boundless versatility with flagship luxury. A mere 301 examples were eventually built with the final sixty examples being special editions dubbed the LM/American, which were only sold in the United States. Introduced at the 1992 Detroit Auto Show, the LM/American Editions had OZ alloy wheels, chromed bumpers, various badging and trim, and a special interior. Additionally, they could be equipped with an optional Lamborghini L804 Type 7.2-liter marine V12 engine.

by Dan Vaughan

SUV
Chassis number: ZA9LU45A6JLA12107

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 Dan Vaughan

SUV

This 1989 Lamborghini LM002 is a rare, special ordered fuel injected SUV that currently has only 9,200 original miles. It is 1 of only 1 produced with LMA equipment, and has never been used off-road. It also has a 50-state emission exhaust.

by Dan Vaughan

SUV
Chassis number: ZA9LU45A4KLA12141

Lamborghini introduced its LM002 in 1986 at the Brussels Motor Show and was an early pioneer in the realm of ultra-luxury sport utility vehicles. Its Countach-sourced 450-horsepower V-12 was fed via a 45-gallon fuel tank, and its massive Pirelli run-flat tires helped it climb over every terrain. This particular example wears an Olive Green exterior over Crème interior, and was reportedly originally purchased by Donahue Wildman, founder of Bally Total Fitness. After his passing in 2018, the LM002 was acquired from his estate by the second owner, who treated it to a cosmetic restoration and mechanical by Fast Cars of Redondo Beach, California, with invoices exceeding $90,000.

While in the care of Angus Mitchell, the car received a new interior with new carpeting, headliner, and leather. A modern sound system was installed, and all wood veneers were removed and refinished. A set of custom Miura-inspired wheels were machined by EVOD Industries for the truck. The green exterior color was similar to an LM002 that Angus owned in his teenage years.

by Dan Vaughan

The Lamborghini LM002 was built from 1986 through 1993 with 301 units being produced. Lamborghini is known and respected for its exotic vehicles that are as stylish as they are fast. The SUV codenamed 'Cheetah' was a project that began in 1977 and was designed to be sold to the United States Military. A Chrysler V8 engine was used in the prototype 'Cheetah' but the production versions were outfitted with a V-12, courtesy of the Lamborghini Countach. The original Cheetah prototype was destroyed by the US military during testing. The Cheetah project was short-lived. Production on the LM001 began in 1981. This was the second attempt at creating a four-wheel drive, rear-mounted engine, all-terrain vehicle. The LM001 was powered by a twelve-cylinder powerplant and first displayed to the public at the 1981 Geneva Auto Show. The LM002, also known as the LMA, was introduced a year later featuring the engine in the front. Production finally began in 1986, albeit with many changes.

The final sixty units of the LM002 were dubbed the LM/American and introduced at the Detroit Auto Show in 1992. This special series had stripes, badging, upgraded interior, chrome bumpers, ground effects, and MSW / OZ Racing wheels.

The sixty-degree, 5167 cc., twelve-cylinder front-engine was capable of producing nearly 450 horsepower and 368 foot-pounds of torque. The transmission was a ZF S5-24/3 5-speed manual gearbox with a two-speed transfer case and manual locking hubs. The clutch was a single dry plate unit that was hydraulically operated. The chassis was tubular, the body was aluminum and fiberglass, and the suspension was independent, coil springs with telescopic shock absorbers. The fuel tank could hold 76 gallons of fuel. The drive system was a part-time four-wheel drive. With a top speed of nearly 120 mph, the 5700-pound vehicle was not designed to break any land-speed records. These all-terrain vehicles provided seating for four and luxurious amenities such as leather and air conditioning.

Muammar al-Qaddafi, Libya's leader, reportedly purchased one-hundred of the LM002 for use in the Libyan military.

A single prototype LM003 was produced, powered by a 3-liter, turbo-diesel, six-cylinder engine. Using a quad-cam, twelve-cylinder Lamborghini engine producing 420 horsepower, the LM004 was created. This was a short-lived series with only a few being produced. In 1992, production for the Lamborghini all-terrain vehicle came to a close.

by Dan Vaughan