A rare American-spec 1990 LM002, Lamboghini’s first SUV, has been auctioned off in New York for $467 000 (about R 6 373 300).
RM Sotheby’s says the luxury sports utility vehicle, which has 19 153 miles (30 824km) on the clock, underwent a comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic restoration. It was originally cost $158 000 (about R2 156 273) when it arrived in the U.S. through a Florida port of entry.
The auction sale price is more than twice the cost of the new Urus, the sleek new crossover that Lamborghini unveiled earlier this week.
The LM002 was based a rear-engine-mounted 4×4 called the Cheetah that Lamborghini built in 1977. The Cheetah was created with an American defense contractor for the U.S. Army but Lamborghini did not secure the contract.
For the production model, the LM002, Lamborghini fitted the 5.2-liter Countach V12 engine and added luxurious wood and leather to the interior and a roomy cargo area. Between 1986 and 1993 only 301 examples were ever made, one of them was blown to smithereens by the US soldiers in Iraq, in 2004. That model was in far worse shape than this exotic car that Sotheby’s auctioned.
The LM002 boasts a massive 76-gallon (288-litre) fuel tank, and the model that just sold was equipped with specially designed Pirelli Scorpion run-flat tires.
The restoration effort was valued at $325 000 ( about R4 434 500) and covered the ‘Countach engine, a new exhaust and a full, new interior with an Alpine stereo unit and integrated Bluetooth. It also features the rare rear cargo toolbox, tonneau cover, and correct LM/American floor mats and chrome bumpers. The owner also got correct tools, keys, books, jack, full receipts and photographic documentation of the restoration process, plus two OEM ECU computer units.’
