Details
Plaque Number
Member Only / 1
VIN
Gold Member Only
Chassis
Member Only
Model Year
1977
Plate
--
Color
Satin Tan
Interior
Nero
Original Market Specification
--
Transmission
--
Drive
LHD
Last known km/miles
--
MSRP
--
Status
Prototype
Datasource
--
Sale Link
--
Information
The Cheetah was built on contract from Mobility Technology International (MTI), which in turn was contracted by the US military to design and build a new all-terrain vehicle. The basis of the design came from MTI, and was largely a copy of FMC's XR311 prototype developed for the military in 1970. This resulted in legal action from FMC against MTI and Lamborghini in 1977 when the Cheetah was presented at the Geneva Motor Show.
It featured a rear mounted 5.9l Chrysler V8 matched to a 3-speed automatic transmission, able to make 180hp.
The Cheetah was built in San Jose, California. After initial construction, the prototype was sent to Sant'Agata so Lamborghini could put on the finishing touches. The body was fiberglass, and inside there was enough room for four fully equipped soldiers as well as the driver.
The Cheetah had very bad handling due to heavy weight and rear-engine placement, and the low power output led to overall poor perfomance.
The only finished prototype was never tested by the US military, only demonstrated to them by its designer, Rodney Pharis.
Location History
Collection
Museum
Gallery
Credit: BubiczFoto
Edits & History
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