Sunday, December 4, 2011

Lamborghini LM002 V12 1986-1993








Only about 320 were produced, some with carburetors and some with fuel injection.

The origin of the LM002 is quite bizarre…in 1977 Lamborghini fashioned the Cheetah prototype (bottom pic). The Cheetah was a hodgepodge of parts and builders, it was built by US-based defense contractor Mobility Technology International on behalf of Lamborghini using a Chrysler 5.9 V8 hooked up to a 3 speed Chrysler torqueflite and placed in the rear. Turns out MTI lifted the design from FMC’s 1970 concept, the XR 311. FMC eventually sued both Lamborghini and MTI, but the odd couple pressed on. The fiberglass Cheetah was built in San Jose and transported to Italy so Lamborghini could work on the V8.

The US Army was to be the main buyer but after a round of tests they decided that they didn’t like the way the prototype handled and so the US military signed a contract with AM General to produce the Humvee in June of 1981.

Lamborghini continued with their quest to build an SUV but by the time they did it was a complete redesign using the Countach V12 with 455 hp.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LM002

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