A 1990 Lamborghini LM002, one of just 60 examples built to U.S. specification, is currently up for auction on Bring a Trailer. The rare off-road Lamborghini, often referred to as the “Rambo Lambo,” is located in San Diego and shows approximately 17,000 miles on the odometer. Powered by a 5.2-liter V12 engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission and full four-wheel drive, the truck represents one of the most unusual vehicles Lamborghini has ever produced.
The auction listing highlights a vehicle that blends Lamborghini’s exotic performance pedigree with the mechanical hardware of a serious off-road machine. The LM002 uses a front-mounted V12 derived from the Lamborghini Countach, producing 444 horsepower and delivering power through a two-speed transfer case. Three locking differentials allow the truck to send torque to all four wheels under demanding conditions, giving the large vehicle genuine off-road capability.
According to the listing, the truck has been maintained by recognized specialists in exotic vehicles. Canepa Motorsports carried out a significant service in 2019 totaling approximately $32,000, addressing various mechanical components. More recently, the suspension system was refreshed by a San Diego-based European vehicle specialist just last month, indicating that the vehicle has received continued maintenance leading up to the auction.
The truck also rides on relatively fresh Pirelli Scorpion tires that are approximately five years old. Vehicles with extremely low mileage sometimes retain aging tires that have deteriorated over time, but in this case the rubber has been replaced recently enough to remain serviceable. The LM002 also features 17-inch OZ alloy wheels, part of the equipment included on the final group of U.S.-specification trucks built near the end of the model’s production run.
Inside the cabin, the LM002 presents a far more luxurious environment than most vehicles built for off-road use. The interior is trimmed in leather and includes air conditioning along with other comfort features designed to make the truck suitable for civilian buyers. While the exterior design emphasizes rugged durability, the cabin reflects Lamborghini’s attempt to offer a high-end experience even in a vehicle intended to operate far from paved roads.
The LM002 was not originally conceived as a civilian luxury vehicle. Lamborghini’s early development work focused on producing a rugged machine that could potentially serve commercial or military customers. Initial prototypes, including the Cheetah and later the LM001, experimented with mid-mounted engines and American V8 powerplants.
Engineers quickly determined that the mid-engine layout created serious handling and packaging challenges in a vehicle of this type. Lamborghini ultimately abandoned that configuration and shifted to a more traditional front-engine layout for the production LM002. That change allowed the engineers to install the company’s large V12 engine and provide space for a proper four-wheel-drive system.
The production LM002 that followed combined aggressive styling with extreme mechanical hardware. Its tall stance, oversized tires, and squared-off bodywork made it instantly recognizable. At the same time, the use of Lamborghini’s V12 powertrain gave the vehicle a soundtrack and character that set it apart from conventional trucks and SUVs of the era.
The truck’s off-road equipment also reflected its intended use. The LM002 could be fitted with specialized tires designed for sand driving, making it capable of operating in desert environments. These features helped the vehicle find buyers among oil industry executives and wealthy customers in regions where off-road capability was a practical requirement.
Although the LM002 never reached high production volumes, it developed a reputation as one of the most extreme vehicles Lamborghini ever built. Production totaled just over 300 units during its run. The final batch included 60 trucks built specifically to meet U.S. market requirements, making those examples particularly scarce today.
This 1990 truck belongs to that final group of U.S.-spec vehicles. In addition to the OZ wheels and minor trim differences, these models represent the last iteration of the LM002 before Lamborghini ended production. For collectors, the limited number of U.S. examples significantly increases the vehicle’s rarity.
The mechanical heart of the LM002 remains its V12 engine. The 5.2-liter unit produces 444 horsepower, a figure that placed the truck well ahead of most off-road vehicles of its time in terms of raw power. Combined with the manual transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive hardware, the drivetrain gave the large vehicle a personality that blended exotic sports car engineering with heavy-duty capability.
The LM002’s unusual character has only grown more distinctive over time. Lamborghini eventually returned to the SUV market decades later with the Urus, a vehicle that now sells in large numbers and serves as a major part of the company’s modern lineup. Compared with the modern SUV, however, the LM002 represents a far more radical approach.
Where the Urus emphasizes refinement and everyday usability, the LM002 reflects the experimental and sometimes unpredictable engineering direction that defined Lamborghini during the 1980s. Its large V12 engine, manual gearbox, and massive off-road hardware create a driving experience that stands apart from modern performance SUVs.
Collectors have increasingly taken interest in vehicles from that era of Lamborghini production. The LM002 occupies a particularly unusual niche because it combines exotic performance pedigree with a vehicle format rarely associated with the brand. The result is a truck that attracts attention not only for its rarity but also for the sheer improbability of its design.
This specific example’s documented service history and relatively low mileage add to its appeal among collectors. A truck that has been properly maintained while remaining largely original often carries stronger value in the vintage vehicle market. The recent suspension refresh and earlier mechanical work indicate that the vehicle has received attention from experienced technicians familiar with high-end European machines.
The auction for the 1990 Lamborghini LM002 is scheduled to conclude on March 13. When bidding closes, the truck will pass to its next owner as one of the rarest production Lamborghinis ever built, combining a Countach-derived V12 engine with the rugged architecture of a four-wheel-drive machine designed for terrain far beyond the pavement.
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