1990 Lamborghini LM002 LM/American Listed on Bring a Trailer

A rare 1990 Lamborghini LM002 LM/American is listed on Bring a Trailer. The V12 off-road model shows 27k km and highlights the history of Lamborghini’s early high-performance SUV.

A rare 1990 Lamborghini LM002 LM/American has appeared on the Bring a Trailer auction platform, highlighting one of the most unusual vehicles ever produced by the Italian manufacturer. At the time of writing, bidding had reached $351,000, with several days remaining before the auction’s scheduled close. The vehicle is located in San Diego and offered by dealer Symbolic International.

This particular example belongs to the LM/American specification, a limited version developed specifically for the United States market. According to the auction listing, the vehicle is one of 60 LM/American units prepared for American buyers, although different sources cite varying figures for both the LM/American production and the overall LM002 run. The model itself was produced between 1986 and 1993, with sources commonly mentioning either 301 or 328 total vehicles.

The truck carries chassis number ZA9LU45AXLLA12243 and shows approximately 27,000 kilometers (about 17,000 miles). Prior to its current ownership, the LM002 reportedly spent time in two collections and appeared on automotive reviewer Doug DeMuro’s YouTube channel in 2017. The present owner acquired the vehicle in 2018 and commissioned extensive servicing shortly thereafter.

In early 2019, the vehicle underwent roughly $32,000 in service work at Canepa Motorsports. The work included fluid changes, accessory belt replacement, brake master cylinder line service, and repairs to several systems including the pedals, power windows, windshield wipers, and HVAC. Further maintenance followed in later years: a new battery was installed in 2025 along with fresh brake pads and fluid, while a suspension overhaul was completed in February 2026 by Eli’s European in San Diego using components sourced from Eurospares in the United Kingdom.

The LM002 itself has an unusual origin story. The concept traces back to the Cheetah project of the late 1970s, when Lamborghini explored entry into the military vehicle market. After a series of experimental prototypes—including the LM001 and LMA002—the company ultimately developed the production LM002 with a front-mounted engine. The production version debuted at the 1986 Brussels Auto Show.

Power comes from a 5.2-liter V12 engine derived from the contemporary Lamborghini Countach. Depending on the source, output is generally cited between 450 and 455 horsepower. The engine is paired with a five-speed ZF manual transmission, a dual-range transfer case, and a four-wheel-drive system incorporating three self-locking differentials.

Despite weighing roughly 2.7 metric tons, the LM002 could accelerate to 100 km/h in about eight seconds and reach a top speed exceeding 210 km/h. For its time, it was widely regarded as one of the fastest off-road vehicles in the world, largely due to its supercar-derived powertrain.

A distinctive technical feature of the model was its specialized Pirelli Scorpion BK tires, developed specifically for the LM002. These tires featured unique sidewall extensions designed to improve performance on sand while withstanding the vehicle’s high weight and power output in extreme desert conditions. The Scorpion BK design later became the foundation for Pirelli’s broader Scorpion SUV tire family.

The LM/American variant added several visual and specification changes compared with the standard LM002. These included OZ alloy wheels, chrome front and rear bumpers, modified exterior trim, and distinctive badging. The changes were intended to tailor the vehicle more closely to the tastes of American buyers.

In recent years the LM002 market has attracted increasing attention from collectors. Auction results show significant variation, with some examples selling for over $700,000 while many transactions fall within the $300,000 to $450,000 range. The current bidding level seen in this Bring a Trailer listing therefore sits within the established market spectrum for the model.

Decades after production ended, the LM002 remains a unique chapter in Lamborghini’s history. Long before the modern boom in high-performance SUVs, it combined a supercar-derived V12 engine, luxury interior, and genuine off-road capability—an approach that would later become common across the automotive industry.