Making a car road legal requires more red tape than you might think. And just because something is highly engineered and blindingly fast, doesn't make it legal to drive to Walmart.
Here are 10 cars that do make the cut for public use... but barely.
1
This Ferrari FXX
The Ferrari FXX was designed as a track only car, and it does not meet certain requirements to be street legal. However, this specific one was fitted with headlights, turn signals, and a few other bobs and whistles to make it legal. As far as we know, it’s the only road legal FXX.
2
Caparo T1
If you’re a Top Gear fan, you might remember the Caparo T1 for its blisteringly fast lap time around the show’s test track. However, even though it’s technically road legal, the hosts invalidated the lap because of their doubts that it could navigate a speed bump.
3
Ariel Atom V8
With one of the craziest power to weight ratios on the road, the Ariel Atom is essentially a 500 horsepower go kart. Is it road legal? Yes. Is it useful on the road in any way? No.
4
Mercedes-AMG One
This new Mercedes hypercar beast was designed using Formula 1 technology. But while it’s technically road legal in Europe, that privilege wasn’t extended to the US market. That’s ok. If you can afford one of these, you can afford a house overseas.
5
Aston Martin Valkyrie
This Adrian Newey designed beast is technically road legal in the US, but only under the NHTSA’s "Show and Display" exemption. That means daily commuting is a no go.
6
Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR
Many racing series around the world require that the cars being used are based on real versions that the manufacturers produce. However, sometimes companies design the race car first, and produce a bare minimum of road-going variants to check the box. The iconic Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR is one of those.
7
Dauer 962
Named for the Porsche 962 it’s based on, the 962 was one of Porsche's most successful race cars of all time. And although the Dauer 962 won’t be winning the 24 Hours of LeMans like its older brother, it is street legal.
8
Lancia 037 Stradale
One of rallying’s most iconic vehicles, the Lancia 037 Stradale was conceived as a race car first, with just over 200 road going variants produced.
9
Panoz Esperante GTR-1
Only two road going versions of this monster were ever produced; and that’s because those were all that was needed for the company to compete in the ‘90s GT1 category.
10
Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth
This small but high powered Ford is one of the most sought after vehicles the company has ever produced. That's because only 500 were ever made, with the car’s DNA designed for the 1987 World Touring Car Championship.
