That is one among simply 11 prototypes of the Teledyne Continental Cheetah that have been ever made, the car was developed for the US navy to fulfill the position that will final be assigned to the considerably similar-looking Humvee.
Apparently this car is alleged to have been developed from the Lamborghini Cheetah of the late Seventies, an off-road military-style 4×4 that had been developed within the hopes of successful a profitable US navy contract.
Quick Details – The Teledyne Continental Cheetah
- The Teledyne Continental Cheetah was one among simply three designs to make it to the prototype section for the Excessive Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Automobile (HMMWV) car venture specified by the US navy for a brand new Jeep substitute in 1979.
- The HMMWV contract known as for a 4×4 car that was considerably bigger than the outgoing Jeep, with a a lot greater payload and the power to be in-built numerous totally different configurations together with TOW missile provider, ambulance, armament provider, troop transport, and extra.
- Teledyne purchased the rights to the deserted Lamborghini Cheetah design from 1977, a design that had been accomplished within the USA by Mobility Expertise Worldwide, or MTI, on behalf of Lamborghini.
- The Teledyne Continental Cheetah was developed with a tubular metal chassis, an aluminum physique, unbiased entrance and rear suspension, a 4×4 drivetrain, and it was fitted with three engines over its growth – initially a Chrysler 5.9 liter V8 which was later changed by a Volvo inline-six diesel, and eventually an Worldwide 6.9 liter V8 diesel.
The Cheetah: Son Of Lamborghini
The Lamborghini Cheetah was a mid-engined 4×4 meant to be used by the US navy. It was developed by American firm Mobility Expertise Worldwide (MTI) beneath contract for Lamborghini within the late Seventies, who hoped to draw profitable navy gross sales with the brand new car.
Above Video: This 4 and a half minute promotional movie showcases the Lamborghini Cheetah, it was recorded in 1977 and it describes the car’s specs and exhibits its spectacular off-road skill.
The design of the Cheetah was possible influenced by the sooner FMC XR311 prototype from 1970, the XR311 was in flip possible influenced by the Meyers Manx dune buggy from the Nineteen Sixties.
The Lamborghini Cheetah was developed with a tubular metal body, a rear-engined configuration, a fiberglass physique, unbiased entrance and rear suspension, and four-wheel drive. It bore a detailed resemblance to the sooner XR311, which attracted threats of litigation when Lamborghini unveiled their new 4×4 on the Geneva Motor Present in 1977.
The Cheetah in the end wouldn’t go into manufacturing, it suffered from poor dealing with as a result of heavy, rear-mounted Chrysler V8 and the US navy was unwilling to think about a overseas provider for such a critically necessary new car.
Lamborghini would promote the design to Teledyne Continental, an American firm, who would develop it considerably into the Teledyne Continental Cheetah.
Contained in the Teledyne Continental Cheetah you’ll discover seating for 4 and a spartan format designed for navy use.
All was not misplaced for Lamborghini nevertheless, they’d later develop the uber-luxurious Lamborghini LM002 “Rambo Lambo” utilizing most of the classes they discovered because the Cheetah had been developed.
The Automobile That Was Nearly The Humvee
The Teledyne Continental Cheetah was developed on the deserted Lamborghini Cheetah venture of the Seventies.
As an American firm, Teledyne Continental had a far greater chance of successful an American navy contract, and their engineers had set to work considerably bettering the assorted flaws within the authentic Lamborghini/MTI design.
The Teledyne Continental Cheetah can be given a tubular metal chassis with a physique made up of aluminum panels. The engine was now mounted up entrance in a extra conventional location, sending energy again via a Chrysler A727 3-speed computerized transmission to both all 4 wheels or simply the rear wheels.
Just like the Lamborghini Cheetah the Teledyne model additionally had unbiased entrance and rear suspension, disc brakes throughout, and a Chrysler V8 engine – though this was quickly modified out for a diesel. Initially a Volvo inline-six diesel was used, this was then changed with a significantly extra highly effective Worldwide 6.9 liter V8 diesel.
Energy is supplied by the Worldwide 6.9 liter V8 diesel producing 170 hp and 310 lb ft of torque.
11 of the ultimate prototypes have been made, they weren’t chosen for the navy contract and so they have been quickly both scrapped or mothballed – relegated to historical past because the car that might’ve been simply as well-known because the Humvee is at this time.
The Teledyne Continental Cheetah Proven Right here
The car you see right here is among the authentic 11 Teledyne Continental Cheetah prototypes, it’s one of many later variations powered by the Worldwide 6.9 liter V8 mated to the 3-speed computerized transmission.
It’s exceptionally uncommon to see one among these come up on the market, and this instance seems to be in wonderful situation all through. It’s completed in Olive Inexperienced, with Black cloth doorways, and Black fender flares, inside it has seating for 4, and a cargo space within the rear.
The alloy wheels fitted to the car seem like an aftermarket addition, it’s unlikely they have been ever meant for navy use, however in any other case this Cheetah seems to be in authentic, considerably spartan navy situation.
In the event you’d prefer to learn extra about this uncommon navy prototype or register to bid you possibly can go to the itemizing right here. It’s as a result of roll throughout the public sale block with Mecum in January and it’s being supplied with no reserve.
Photographs courtesy of Mecum
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