Lamborghini LM 004 (Lamborghini Militaria)

Lamborghini LM 004 This new engine was designed by Alfrieri and used very little parts from the original 5-Litre unit, this 7-Litre unit was actually destined for marine purposes and could be distinguished from the smaller V-12's by the larger exterior dimensions and the design of the cam cover. Several other parts around the engine were changed too, the gearbox became mechanical instead of the automatic ones in the first designs, and a special design by ZF was used, taken from the LMA-002. The suspension was also taken from the LMA, as was the power-assisted steering, but a big difference was the use of drum brakes on the rear axle. Lamborghini aimed the LM-004 at another category of customers, this was clearly visible on the inside of this car, the seats were changed for body-hugging types like those in the Countach, upholstered in leather, with nice carpets on the floor, a complete dashboard with radio-telephone, VHF radio, stereo system, air-conditioning, refrigerator and a cold-water tap between the back seats. All this made the LM-004 appear like a giant, upright Countach, and this large, 3000 Kg heavy beast could even reach 200 Km/h. Only one LM-004 was built, the new 7-Litre engine did not perform well enough to allow the increase of weight against a 5-Litre unit. Therefore, further testing was done with the 5-Litre unit, resulting in the LM-002, which would be commercialized from 1986 on, in almost the same form as the LM-004. Note that the original LM004/7000 was actually tested by AutoCar in May 1986, perhaps you can still find a copy of this test, unfortunately this rare Lamborghini no longer exists today. Rumors state however that it was possible to order the LM002 with the 7.0-Litre Lamborghini marine engine fitted into it, naturally on special demand for a wealthy customer, prices for this 'option' were never published, but then again, anyone who would order it with this massive engine wouldn't care about a little extra cost. The Mimran brothers (Jean-Claude and Patrick Mimran) also decided to insist in the direction – certainly innovative for the period – of large high-performance off- road vehicles. Also in 1982, the engine was judiciously moved in front of the cockpit, culminating in the prototype known as the LMA, an acronym that, according to different interpretations, may mean ‘Lamborghini Motore Anteriore’ or ‘Lamborghini Militare Anteriore’. In any event, this engine was no longer an American V8 but the Bologna-built 12-cylinder unit, restoring dignity to Lamborghini’s off-road project. The two brothers, assisted by their plenipotentiary in Sant’Agata, Emil Novaro, immediately set out to reconstruct the company. The ‘Nuova Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini SpA’ company was thus formed in January 1981 and from that moment on, work was seriously underway again. One of the first decisions – an exquisitely technical one – was to hire engineer Giulio Alfieri as the company’s technical director. The emblem of Maserati’s golden age, Alfieri had clashed with Alejandro De Tomaso, the new owner of the Modena car company. As a result, he was delighted to tackle the endeavour to help rebuild Lamborghini. Lamborghini started its Marini Lamborghini programme while under the guidance of the Swiss brothers Patrick and Jean-Claude Mimran, who tried to breathe new life into the bankrupt car company in the early 80s. Named the Axxes Quetzal, the first Lamborghini powerboat was launched in 1984. The craft was powered by two modified carburetted Lamborghini V12 engines lifted from the marque's all-terrain vehicle LM002. Increased to a displacement of eight litres, the two engines had an output of 550HP each, catapulting the 39-foot Axxes Quetzal to a top speed of 65 knots (75mph).