LMX Sirex: Italy’s Forgotten Tribute to American Muscle
ForgottenONES - When it comes to car design, beauty might lie in the eye of the beholder—but in Italy, it lies in the lines of a well-shaped sports car. The Italians have always been masters of automotive elegance, with brands like Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, and Lamborghini turning heads on the streets for decades. But while they’re known for their own creations, that didn’t stop them
from casting admiring glances across the Atlantic at something very
different: the American muscle car. This fascination didn’t stay just in
theory. It eventually evolved into a rare and fascinating creation that
blended Detroit's brawn with Milan’s style—the LMX Sirex.
The LMX Sirex was an Italian 2-door, 2-seater sports car, and known also the only model produced by LMX Automobile S.R.L. (Linea Moderna Executive), a company founded by Michel Liprandi and Giovanni Mandelli. (Picture from: Medium)
At first glance, it’s easy to assume the LMX Sirex came straight out of a Detroit garage. With its wide stance, long hood, and unmistakable muscle car silhouette, it looks ready to roar down an American freeway. But this isn’t a car born from gas-guzzling bravado; it’s the result of a deeply European collaboration—between Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Mandelli and French composite expert Michel Liprandi. Together, they formed Linea Moderna Executive (LMX) Automobile S.R.L., a small automotive company based in Milan with big ambitions. And the Sirex was their bold answer to what a European muscle car might look like.
The LMX Sirex produced by LMX Automobile S.R.L. (Linea Moderna Executive) during 1969 to 1973 (in total of 50 units) and available both in convertible and coupé bodywork. (Picture from: TheAutopian)
Launched in 1968, the LMX Sirex was Liprandi’s brainchild. He didn’t just want to make a car; he wanted to make something different—lightweight, aggressive, and dramatic. A big part of that came from his expertise in composite materials, which allowed the body to be made out of fiberglass, not steel.
The LMX Sirex bodywork is built on a frame originally designed by Gioacchino Colombo, and Liprandi made modifications to cut weight down to just 163 lbs. (Picture from: Medium)
This choice wasn’t just about aesthetics; it kept the car incredibly light. Underneath that sculpted shell was a modified frame originally drawn up by none other than Gioacchino Colombo—the same genius behind Ferrari’s legendary V12s. Liprandi tweaked Colombo’s design, especially at the front, drilling holes into the steel chassis to bring the weight down to just 163 pounds.
The first production of the LMX Sirex done by Eurostyle starting in 1969 and forced stop production in 1973 after managed to produce only 35 cars. (Picture from: TheAutopian)
Adding to the mystique, there’s a strong rumor that the body was penned by Franco Scaglione, the same man behind some of Alfa Romeo’s most dramatic creations. While the connection can’t be fully confirmed, it’s certainly believable. Scaglione was freelancing during that period, and his love for fiberglass and flair for futuristic lines seem to echo in every curve of the Sirex.
Reportedly, the fiberglass body which clearly has an American touches was designed by Franco Scaglione himself. (Picture from: TheAutopian)
Visually, the car is a beautiful contradiction. From the front, you’d swear it shares DNA with the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. Walk to the back, and hints of the Alfa Romeo Montreal concept reveal themselves, a nod perhaps to Marcello Gandini’s influence. The result is a sports car that looks both familiar and foreign—something that feels like it could belong on both Route 66 and the Autostrada.
The LMX Sirex is powered by a Ford Taunus 20M P7, which meant a 2.3-liter Cologne V6 engine with 126 horsepower. (Picture from: TheAutopian)
Beneath that bold exterior, though, practicality ruled. To keep costs manageable, LMX opted for a 2.3-liter Ford Cologne V6 engine from the Ford Taunus 20M P7. It wasn’t the most exotic choice, but it offered decent power—126 horsepower—and the reliability and serviceability that more expensive Italian engines couldn’t guarantee on a tight budget.
The LMX Sirex debuted at the Turin Motorshow held in November of 1968. (Picture from: Motor1)
The LMX Sirex made its first public appearance at the Turin Motor Show in November 1968. LMX, being a modest company, couldn’t afford a display inside the venue. Instead, they showcased the car outside the halls—and still managed to grab attention. The bold styling, fiberglass body, and cross-cultural charm made it stand out even among the giants of the Italian auto industry.
The
first production of the LMX Sirex done by Eurostyle starting in 1969
and forced stop production in 1973 after managed to produce only 35 cars. (Picture from: Medium)
Production officially began in 1969. Assembly of the fiberglass bodies was handled by a firm in Turin called Eurostyle, and buyers could choose between a coupe or convertible version. Interestingly, LMX even gave customers the option to install different engines, adding a level of customization rarely seen from such a small manufacturer.
A further production process of 12 to 15 cars were built afterward from leftover parts by another company called Samas. (Picture from: TheAutopian)
But great ideas sometimes come too early—or without enough funding. Financial struggles and sluggish sales meant the dream couldn't last. By 1973, LMX ceased production after building just 35 cars. A few years later, another firm, Samas, assembled about 12 to 15 more units using leftover parts. That brings the total number of Sirex models ever built to around 50—half of which are still believed to exist today.
The LMX Sirex might not have rewritten history books or filled showroom floors, but its story is undeniably compelling. It’s a car that dared to blend American muscle with Italian craftsmanship, not as a gimmick, but as a genuine interpretation of what performance and style could mean across cultures. For those lucky enough to see one in the wild, it’s a rare and beautiful reminder that sometimes, the boldest ideas come from the smallest players. *** [EKA [10022023] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THEAUTOPIAN | MEDIUM | MOTOR1 | WIKIPEDIA ]
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LMX Sirex: Italy’s Forgotten Tribute to American Muscle
At first glance, it’s easy to assume the LMX Sirex came straight out of a Detroit garage. With its wide stance, long hood, and unmistakable muscle car silhouette, it looks ready to roar down an American freeway. But this isn’t a car born from gas-guzzling bravado; it’s the result of a deeply European collaboration—between Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Mandelli and French composite expert Michel Liprandi. Together, they formed Linea Moderna Executive (LMX) Automobile S.R.L., a small automotive company based in Milan with big ambitions. And the Sirex was their bold answer to what a European muscle car might look like.
The LMX Sirex might not have rewritten history books or filled showroom floors, but its story is undeniably compelling. It’s a car that dared to blend American muscle with Italian craftsmanship, not as a gimmick, but as a genuine interpretation of what performance and style could mean across cultures. For those lucky enough to see one in the wild, it’s a rare and beautiful reminder that sometimes, the boldest ideas come from the smallest players. *** [EKA [10022023] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THEAUTOPIAN | MEDIUM | MOTOR1 | WIKIPEDIA ]
