RE: Lamborghini LM002: Spotted

RE: Lamborghini LM002: Spotted

Sunday 15th October 2017

Lamborghini LM002: Spotted

With the Urus just weeks away, we take a look at its iconic predecessor



Automotive journalists from Stevenage to Singapore have claimed this week that a Ferrari SUV is now confirmed, seizing upon comments from CEO Sergio Marchionne to reporters at the New York Stock Exchange. Marchionne is quoted as saying he is "dead serious" about the prospect of Ferrari looking to "reinvent the concept of a vehicle that has some utilitarian features" - a concept he dubs the 'FUV'.

Need to make an entrance? Here you go!
Need to make an entrance? Here you go!
This despite a Ferrari spokesperson recently stating, "With reference to recent speculation in the international press, Ferrari will not be launching an SUV." Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, Enrico Galliera, saying, "We are not producing an SUV." And CTO Michael Leiters replying, "We have many projects, many concepts, but there is no programme and nothing has been confirmed" when asked about an SUV at Frankfurt just last month. Something may be afoot in Maranello then, but it might not be an SUV in the traditional sense, and it certainly isn't confirmed.

What is much more concrete however, is the upcoming December 4th launch date for the Lamborghini Urus. This will be an SUV, it is being made, and its success may be one of the key factors in whether or not Ferrari follows suit.

Of course, this isn't the first time Lamborghini has ventured into the off-road world. Which brings us to the subject of today's spotted, the LM002.

This is the smaller engine option...
This is the smaller engine option...
Having begun life in 1977 as the Cheetah, a contender for the US military contract eventually awarded to the Humvee, the unsuccessful concept was adapted for road use by Lamborghini and renamed the LM001 - or Lamborghini Militaria 001.

It featured the same rear-mounted, 190hp, 5.9-litre Chrysler V8 as the Cheetah, and retained many of its unfavourable handling characteristics too, leaving the Geneva crowds underwhelmed when it was shown there in 1981.

It would take a further five years of development and testing before the car we know today as the LM002 was born, but it was certainly worth the wait. Gone was the puny V8, replaced with a front-mounted, 450hp V12 from the Countach - alternatively a 7.2-litre marine V12, used in offshore powerboats, could also be ordered. This sat on a brand new chassis and was housed within an aluminum and fiberglass body. With its four-wheel-drive and locking differentials, the LM002 could climb a gradient greater than 120 per cent and, thanks to its V12, 120mph was within reach. Pirelli was even commissioned to create bespoke Scorpion tyres which came in two variants, one for mixed use and the other for use on sand only. Things certainly weren't done by halves.

Oooh, red leather - classy
Oooh, red leather - classy
Inside there was full leather trim, air-con, power windows and a stereo, a far cry from the utilitarian military vehicle it started out as. Just 328 examples were produced, including a one-off estate for the Sultan of Brunei, as well as a 600hp Dakar entry which fell through due to a lack of funding.

According to the ad, the particular example for sale here has recently undergone nearly £30,000 worth of "maintenance, major servicing and upgrading." This included belts, gaskets, installation of a winch, brakes, an exhaust overhaul and a new set of those tyres. With 27,000 miles on the clock, it's likely one of the better used examples around, but obviously a very well looked after one too. Whatever your thoughts on Lamborghini's decision to produce the Urus then, it's certainly got a lot to live up to.


LAMBORGHINI LM002
Engine
: 5,167cc, V12
Transmission: 5-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 450@6,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 368@4,500rpm
MPG: What do you think?
CO2: Good one
First registered: 1990
Recorded mileage: 27,000 miles
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £239,950

See the original advert here.

[Sources: Autocar, Wikipedia]

 

Author
Discussion

gforceg

Original Poster:

3,524 posts

178 months

Sunday 15th October 2017
quotequote all
I remember being impressed by the Top Trumps style numbers for this thing when it came out. A whole weight category above the Range Rover of the day.

I once saw an LM002 looking abandoned in a small town in Cornwall outside (probably) a surf shop.

J4CKO

41,287 posts

199 months

Sunday 15th October 2017
quotequote all
Love these but I think its one of those "Never meet your heros" kind of deals, saw that Doug de Whatsit video about it, basically it looked like it was generally a bit rubbish, I think it is a dream car for 15 year old lads but probably a nightmare one for those that grow up and buy one, the reality of 80s Lambos seems to be no way as good as the Athena poster version.


Hereward

4,135 posts

229 months

Sunday 15th October 2017
quotequote all
"the LM002 could climb a gradient greater than 120 per cent"

Someone's gonna have to explain that one to me. For every 10 metres of horizontal travel it can climb 12 metres, right?

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

254 months

Sunday 15th October 2017
quotequote all
Isn't it almost impossible to get tyres for these now?

vincegail

2,456 posts

154 months

Sunday 15th October 2017
quotequote all
Hereward said:
"the LM002 could climb a gradient greater than 120 per cent"

Someone's gonna have to explain that one to me. For every 10 metres of horizontal travel it can climb 12 metres, right?
Yes, that is it. Or at an angle of 50,2°.

JohnGoodridge

529 posts

194 months

Sunday 15th October 2017
quotequote all
Mr2Mike said:
Isn't it almost impossible to get tyres for these now?
Recent Harry’s Garage episode - Countach to Lamborghini Concours -indicated Pirelli had started offering them again IIRC.

Fetchez la vache

5,568 posts

213 months

Sunday 15th October 2017
quotequote all
Mr2Mike said:
Isn't it almost impossible to get tyres for these now?
I believe so. I'm quite surprised they managed to get a full set under £30k tbh.

Last one I saw of these must have been well over 20 years ago. Today when all cars have grown substantially the size possibly isn't so daft, but then in a time where Allegros and minis were the norm, to say it had presence is something of an underestimate.

Du1point8

21,604 posts

191 months

Sunday 15th October 2017
quotequote all
You can put the marine engine in it if you wanted?

Did anyone do that?

Cold

15,207 posts

89 months

Sunday 15th October 2017
quotequote all
Clarkson did a feature on these back when Top Gear was an anorak show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdA81bPvXoI

406dogvan

5,326 posts

264 months

Sunday 15th October 2017
quotequote all
J4CKO said:
Love these but I think its one of those "Never meet your heros" kind of deals, saw that Doug de Whatsit video about it, basically it looked like it was generally a bit rubbish, I think it is a dream car for 15 year old lads but probably a nightmare one for those that grow up and buy one, the reality of 80s Lambos seems to be no way as good as the Athena poster version.
Check Sir Harry of Metcalfe's videos in his 89 (IIRC) Countach - trip to the South of France to pickup a couple of outboard motors and wine - another trip to Switzerland for a Concours event

He also took his 80s Testarossa to the Sahara

Changed my view of 80s exotics did Sir Harry - clearly work - clearly can be used for work.

VonSenger

2,465 posts

188 months

Sunday 15th October 2017
quotequote all
Seriously what fktard would part with £240k for this rubbish?

GG89

3,526 posts

185 months

Sunday 15th October 2017
quotequote all
VonSenger said:
Seriously what fktard would part with £240k for this rubbish?
a rich one.

Shaw Tarse

31,543 posts

202 months

Sunday 15th October 2017
quotequote all
GG89 said:
VonSenger said:
Seriously what fktard would part with £240k for this rubbish?
a rich one.
Nope, I haven't won the lottery rage

aaron_2000

5,407 posts

82 months

Sunday 15th October 2017
quotequote all
I love the Joe Macari dealership, I remember it being featured in a show about car salesman a while ago.

ducnick

1,765 posts

242 months

Sunday 15th October 2017
quotequote all
For that much money I would want a little less rust. They could have polished the exhaust up with a bit of wire wool before taking the photos

Master Bean

3,517 posts

119 months

Sunday 15th October 2017
quotequote all
Link to the advert isn't working.

vincegail

2,456 posts

154 months

Sunday 15th October 2017
quotequote all
Master Bean said:
Link to the advert isn't working.
No it isn't. I've posted a link to the advert before this afternoon, but that one got deleted??? So please moderators, instead of deleting my link, adjust yours!
http://joemacari.com/All-Cars-for-Sale/_prod_Lambo...

BrewsterBear

1,503 posts

191 months

Sunday 15th October 2017
quotequote all
Remember when the idea of a sportscar or supercar manufacturer knocking out a 4x4 was completely bonkers? I liked those times.

robm3

4,927 posts

226 months

Monday 16th October 2017
quotequote all
and here's what the US Marines did to one...

http://www.carscoops.com/2007/10/war-crimes-soldie...



HardMiles

313 posts

85 months

Monday 16th October 2017
quotequote all
All of about 5 years ago, there was one of these for sale in red on carandclassic at circa 30k IIRC. I thought about it and decided it wouldn't be viable due to part costs etc. It truly is astounding that they have reached this value!