Historic Vehicles story By Victor Ma T-L
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1990 Lamborghini LM002
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Model: Lamborghini LM002
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Body Style: timeless Double cab P/U body with 4 comfortable racing seat & another 4 persons in the rear open back part. (1986~1992) (301 made by hand only)
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Contruction: all hand made tubular steel chassis
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Engine: 60-degree V12 light alloy 5.2L powerful twin cam 48 valves EFI Engine ( 1990-92 ). Six weber twin choke for 86-89 model. more than 450hp at 6800rpm.
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Transmission: 5 speed manual with Hi, Low range , both permanent 4wd and part time 4wd system with three ZF limited-slip differentials
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Suspension: Independent by wishbones, coil springs and twin shock for each for both front and rear .
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Brake: Front Air cooler ventilated disc . Rear girling Drum
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Max speed: 210 Km/h ( EFI Model ) 0--100 less than 8 seconds.
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History:
To trace the development of the LM, it is necessary to go back to 1977,when Lamborghini was concluded with an American Co , MTI to develop a very high performance, all - terrain vehicle. This project was for US Army. Its story actually begins with a request to produce a military vehicle for the US, in conjunction with Chrysler. 1977 they develop a doorless all-terrain 4WD buggy. The Cheetah was use rear mounted Chryseler V 8 engine, only prototype made,But the car with rear mount engine is use not good to use as a small truck and the price is too expensive for the US Army. the project is stopped.The tail-heavy weight distribution under which this layout suffered led the American government elsewhere (the US built Hummvee by AMG by the end.) When the prospects for American military use of cheetah dissolved, Lamborghini promoted it commercially as their LM002 to the target market like the Royal kingdoms, middle east & other rich people round the world LM002 become available in end of 1985,with a powerful Countach V12 engine up front, every thing about it was bigger and better than other 4wd vehicle a lot. it is near 500cm long,200cm wide, and 185cm high, 4 racing leather seat, air condition, lot of electric gadgets, power window, power door lock, power steering, a wood dashboard and deep-pile carpeting, nearly 3 tonnes with 4 345/60VR17 high performance sand tire specially made by Pirelli. The first owner of the series produced LM002 was the king of Morocco, & mainly bought by the sheiks, Uday Hassein, one of Saddam Hussein's sons in Iraq got one too, & this Navy Blue, unfortunately this car was destroyed by US Army on July 18, 2004. Between 86~92, total 241 unit of this unique super 4wd been made. 60 unit of special American version for US market at end of 80s to 90, 91 Total 301 made, the early 40 unit of LM 002 for oil rich middle east army market. This is the only one super dune buggy can climb up to 54 degree.(120%) & on road speed over 210 Km/h, 0-60 mile less than 8.2s at that time. LM was the fastest Off Roader in the world at 80s-90s in the world. Fuel consumption in the region of 7mpg (11.2kpg)This is why it need a 270 litre fuel tank at back. The one we got is an American version, with OZ ally wheel & chrome accessories this car just run 5000 Km from new the car stop run for more than 15 years and now it rebuild by our Co. at 2005 until 2008.
On July 18, 2004 at a USA military base near Baqubah, Iraq this LM002 was used to simulate (test) the effects of a V.B.IE.D. (Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device). This Navy Blue LM002 belonged to Uday Hussein, one of Saddam Hussein's sons in Iraq. The vehicle was stripped of it's front seats (which were subsequently transplanted into the COL's vehicle) and packed full of explosives. It was then parked next to a concrete barrier that was similar in construction to those that surrounded the base. The photos at left show the car before and after detonation. Unfortunately, the men involved in this little experiment were unaware of the rarity of this vehicle at the time and it was not until they arrived home in the USA that they were able to do more research on exactly what they had. This Rare expensive LM002 is belong Iraq People, not belong US Army, and this is also a rare high performance Buggy, not like their rubbish Hummvee. This car not longer exists!
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