This Lamborghini LM002 listed on eBay - opens in new window or tab. is a rare and unique animal: a four-door luxury 4x4 sports ute, fitted with a honking 7.2-liter V12 engine and five-speed manual transmission sourced from Lamborghini’s legendary supercars. This America Edition model, offered by Roy Cats Exotics of Lynwood, Wash., is a splendid example.
The mechanical and cosmetic restoration on this LM002 America was completed by Driven Exotics in Gilroy, Calif., a shop well known for its fine Lamborghini work. The engine and transmission were rebuilt and the interior was completely redone with new carpets, headliner, and leather upholstery from Italy. The original black seat belts were swapped for OEM red belts, and the tires were replaced with OEM-spec rubber. Exterior paint and glass is 100-percent original.
The last batch of LM002s differed from earlier production units. While the America Edition’s wheels and hand pin striping provide a visual cue, it’s the mechanical bits that make the big difference. “The last LM002s used the fuel-injected Diablo engine, rather than the Countach engine,” explained Roy Cats. “The cams were different. These cars were designed specifically for the US market.”
When you see a vehicle listed with “brand-new tires,” you take that with a grain of salt. With an LM002, however, it’s a serious selling point.
The OEM Pirelli Scorpion run-flat tires are unique to the LM002. As the stock of original tires was depleted, LM002s had to to be taken off the road. Pirelli eventually manufactured a new run of 100 sets of Scorpion tires, selling each set of five for $14,000.
Celebrity and Infamous Owners
The LM002’s $139,000 MSRP was serious coin back in the day. Only about 300 were produced between 1986 and 1993. LM002 owners included a slew of celebrities, such as Mike Tyson, Tina Turner, Eddie Van Halen, and Sylvester Stallone (hence the “Rambo Lambo” moniker). Hunter S. Thompson wrote about owning a LM002 in “Songs of the Doomed,” but the facts are shrouded in mystery. Muammar Gaddafi purportedly ordered 100 LM002s for the Libyan military. The V12 beasts were well suited for the oil states. (The most nefarious LM002 of all time was owned by Saddam Hussein’s son Uday.)
While Lamborghini has not built an SUV since the demise of the LM002, the company unveiled the Urus, a concept SUV based on the Audi Q7 platform, at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show. The Urus has yet to see production.
The Lamborghini Miura, Countach, Diablo, Murciélago, Aventador, and Huracán cut through the air like a knife. The LM002, on the other hand, is a V12-powered 4x4 brick. Its roots can be traced to an honest-to-goodness tractor company. Prior to founding Lamborghini Automobili in 1963, Ferruccio Lamborghini founded Lamborghini Trattori. The most exotic Chelsea tractor ever built wore a Lambo badge, offering an air of exclusivity that can only be achieved through scarcity. That same kind of scarcity contributes to the price of this LM002, listed with a Buy It Now price of $475,000 - opens in new window or tab..
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.