RE: Lamborghini LM002: Spotted

[Mr2Mike]

vincegail said:

I'm wondering the same thing. Is there a way to conserve the tyres, to keep them out of air's harmful way? Keeping them in a vacuum bag? Or perhaps a layer of vaseline applied to them, or another petroleum-based product?

Applying vaseline etc. would be a good way to degrade the rubber quickly. Vacuum packing with some silica gel to remove moisture and keeping them in a dark place would likely work ok.

[VonSenger]

I thought the drying out is what makes them crack? Surely Silica would accelerate this process?

[IroningMan]

It's not water that evaporates from them when they 'dry out'.

[VonSenger]

Im assuming they lose moisture in some way, of course, it isnt necessarily going to be pure H2O.

[Craig]

TCEvo said:

Always loved LM002's. Last one I saw was at Silverstone Classic - parked near the Vale entrance rather than being on display.

Thanks for the photo - that was me and yes I did indeed start a thread last year shortly after I imported the car from Italy. It was a bit of a gamble but upon inspection over here it's turned out to be a good one luckily.

It's interesting how this car creates such polarised views - you either love it or hate it I suppose. Sure it's not "pretty" but I like the over-engineered feel of it and the fact it was ahead of its time (much like the Countach).

Contrary to what some posters have said I actually think these are good value in the current market as although they have risen from their low point of c.£50k to £200k+ they have not risen as much as the Countach (<£50k to £350k+). I know they are not a supercar in the same sense but they are rarer and good ones are thin on the ground (I looked at a few before purchase and many were complete dogs!). Also with the imminent launch of the Urus SUV, interest in them is bound to increase.

The Macari car is one of the cheaper ones on the market - these can go up to £400k+ for factory restored examples

Tyre availability is a problem as I am not aware of any recent batches having been produced by Pirelli (despite what Harry Metcalfe said in his recent video). I managed to source some non-Pirelli 325 section tyres that fit and have been used by other owners at a fraction of the cost (although I've not chosen to swap from the original Scorpions yet as per the photo)

I hope to get around to doing a write up in Readers Cars soon to share more of my experiences with the car