Can Le Mans cars be street legal? I think so...

[billygoat081992]

I had a argument with my brother, and it was about Le Mans cars. My theory was they can be street legal, and my brother said I was retarded. They can be street legal, because they have headlights and taillights, brakes, and all the other stuff. They just need a license.

[kingofthering]

Depends on what.

If you were talking about the '50s - 60's, then yes. Cars like the Ferrari 250 were basically road cars turned race machines.

But you can... if you have the money. Are you ready to pay astronomical fuel bills? The emission costs? The tires?

Most of all, why? Why saddle yourself with a super-expensive 911 GT3 GT2 racer converted into street? Might as well buy a street-legal one in the first place.

However, you can if you want. Some do it with the McLaren F1 GTR.

[clutch-monkey]

depends what country, some have more relaxed rules..
i do believe both the 917 and 962, and 996 GT1 had road going models however rare they may be?

[Ferrer]

There's also the XJR-9 based, XJR-15. As a more modern example.

And of course all the mid 90's GT1s, altough those aren't truly prototypes.

[2ndclasscitizen]

Originally Posted by billygoat081992

I had a argument with my brother, and it was about Le Mans cars. My theory was they can be street legal, and my brother said I was retarded. They can be street legal, because they have headlights and taillights, brakes, and all the other stuff. They just need a license.

There's more to being street legal than just lights. There's regulations on noise, ride height, emissions, crash safety, pedestrian safety, etc etc. Plus, they'd be horrible to drive on the street.

[henk4]

winner in 1973..
Matra MS650 - Ultimatecarpage.com - Images, Specifications and Information

[fisetdavid26]

Their street legality depends a lot on safety regulations. Actual Le Mans race cars are not street legal in most countries, if not all.

[Matra et Alpine]

For low production volumes it's readily possible.
"Safety" is not a legal requirement beyond belts and "projectsion" - even airbags can be "avoided".
Don't know anyone who limits height -- other than preventing modifications to standard cars.
Emissions and sounds are another whole can of worms

[dydzi]

Originally Posted by clutch-monkey

depends what country, some have more relaxed rules..
i do believe both the 917 and 962, and 996 GT1 had road going models however rare they may be?

from my head - one 917K, seven 962 and three 996 GT1s

theoretically, modern "Le Mans cars" as you name them can't be street legal because they don't pass tests like hitting the pedestrian and sound emissions, also in many cases windows are made of plastic, which is illegal on road. however two Maseratis MC12 corsa are registered in germany

[ErWin76]

There is street legal version of Ferrari 550LM. Ferrari 550LM | Car Group Tests | Car Reviews | evo

[dydzi]

Originally Posted by ErWin76

There is street legal version of Ferrari 550LM. Ferrari 550LM | Car Group Tests | Car Reviews | evo

that's only a 550 maranello with body and some inner elements from 550 GTS prepared by prodrive. only one built

[Q TOY]

Who cares if its street legal? If you had a Le Mans Prototype racer drive it on the road if you like. No one could catch you to tell you not too anyway, been street legal would just give the cops a Registration Plate to send your tickets too.

[Fuerte100]

If i had a Le Mans car I wouldn't mess with it and drive it on the track.

[magracer]

This is what you are looking for: Dauer 962 LM. Definite proof that it CAN be done, although it defies logic and probably isn't worth the hassle.

One of the Fastest cars in the world - 962 Dauer Lemans - Fast Cool Cars

[fisetdavid26]

Originally Posted by magracer

This is what you are looking for: Dauer 962 LM. Definite proof that it CAN be done, although it defies logic and probably isn't worth the hassle.

One of the Fastest cars in the world - 962 Dauer Lemans - Fast Cool Cars

Actually the Dauer 962 was a road car converted to a race car

But yeah it's based on the Porsche 962's so technically you're right.