True to Its Roots: the Lamborghini LM002
Ferruccio Lamborghini, the fervent Italian tractor manufacturer turned supercar legend, may never have envisioned the LM002. He’d retired from the company well before the ‘Cheetah’ showed its face to the world at the ’77 Geneva Auto Show. Not even called the LM002 at that point, it ultimately was developed in California and based on a military-spec vehicle which was built to gain a contract with the US armed forces. No, the LM002 was not a Lamborghini in the sense of being a sports car. It wasn’t even largely Italian.
At the time, Mobility Technology International (MTI) was developing the LM002 for Lamborghini; the change to Chrysler ownership and control of Lamborghini made the original vehicle’s layout change quite drastically. It wasn’t exactly going to be like the LM002 we all know today. The one Jay Leno drives in the episode of his show below is more familiar in its madness. The Countach V12 up front, mated to a five-speed gearbox, sounds truly absurd in a vehicle like this. Four-wheel drive and a chassis more comfortable crossing sand dunes than carving the Autostrada was Lamborghini best shock attempt at turning the auto industry on its ear. However, the next time you think this isn’t a real Lambo, take a look at those fenders. They’re a nice nod to some of Ferruccio’s early farm equipment.
Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>
