• From: Alameda, CA
  • Registered: 2009-05-03
  • Posts: 45

Topic: Street Legal-ish Lemons

I was going to specify California streets, but I don't see why this can't be expanded to other states.

Has anybody had any luck getting their Lemons on the road in a legal-esque fashion?
Temporary reg, moving permits, dealer plates, etc.

The BMW 2002 Art car was pitted next to us, and when their trailer hookup fell through they "Eastbound and Downed" it to the race track caravaning with a bunch of decoys. While it was clearly an awesome story, has anybody found a way to circumvent Johnny Law and the DMV on this one?

Our car would be a thousand times more ready on raceday if it were easier to take it on shakedown runs or track days, but a lack of a trailer makes this difficult.

Huey Newis and the Lose
Don't Start Believin'

Westyside's Website

  • ecniv
  • Paddock Rat
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-05-22
  • Posts: 76

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

It is possible. There are a few Lemons cars that are still "street legal."

  • From: San Diego, CA
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
  • Posts: 1,640

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

Keep lights/wipers/cat converter on it and there's no reason why it can't stay street legal.

Hell, the Saab team's tow rig broke down going over the Grapevine, so they took their car off the trailer, loaded it up with tools and tires, and drove it to the track. Their car still had a cat and all lights, plus a temp tag, so it was all legal, if not a bit chilly for the driver since their car had no roof.

The Homer: Powerful like a gorilla, yet soft and yielding like a Nerf ball.

4 Reply by Westyside (edited by Westyside 2010-03-11 12:08 PM)

  • From: Alameda, CA
  • Registered: 2009-05-03
  • Posts: 45

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

That will work fine for some of the older Lemons that dont have smog requirements, but our mustang didnt pass smog when we got it, much less after we hacked the exhaust off

Huey Newis and the Lose
Don't Start Believin'

Westyside's Website

  • From: Land Of Subarus, Colorado
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
  • Posts: 9,416

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

The winner of the last Texas race drove to and from the track.

Murilee Martin aka Judge Phil on Facebook
Murilee Martin on Twitter
Judge Phil's Lemons posts on Car and Driver
MurileeMartin.com

Judge Phil's Website

  • From: Seattle, WA
  • Registered: 2009-10-28
  • Posts: 2,112

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

WA has refreshingly liberal registration requirements.


<-----

1982 MG Metro 1300: IOE 2015 Pacific Northworst GP, Longest Distance 2010 Cd'L Box Wine Country Classic
1980 KV Mini 1: Worst of Show and Fright Pig Supremo 2009 Concours d'Lemons
1978 H Special: Second-Round Elimination 2010 Lemons Pinewood Derby at Sears Pointless
1967 SAAB 96: IOE 2012 Pacific Northworst GP, Organizer's Choice 2022 Hell on Wheels California Rally
  • From: Alameda, CA
  • Registered: 2009-05-03
  • Posts: 45

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

MurileeMartin wrote:

The winner of the last Texas race drove to and from the track.

I've got no qualms with driving to the track, I'd just like to get away with it big_smile

Huey Newis and the Lose
Don't Start Believin'

Westyside's Website

  • From: Bloomington, IN
  • Registered: 2009-08-14
  • Posts: 1,525

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

mharrell wrote:

WA has refreshingly liberal registration requirements.


<-----

As does Indiana.  Our car will have plates next week!

Bloomington, IN
We'll bring Beer!  Motorsports
Team Fiery Death! #0 2009 Lamest Day(65th), 2010 American Irony(24th), 2010 Detroit Bull(4th),2012 Capitol Offense (8th) 2012 American Irony (11 th), 2013 Capitol Offense (3rd) 2013 Chubba Chedder (4th, Judge Choice!) Now sadly part of a scrap pile. 
Toothless Racing Deadbeats #110 2011 Summit Point (61st) Currently being rebuilt into the new car!
  • From: Detroit, MI
  • Registered: 2009-05-16
  • Posts: 1,594

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

I would love to get ours registered so we could drive it to track days and around the block for testing, but with no title, no dash (thus no VIN on dash), no horn, no turn signals, no back-up lights, a cracked windshield and a roll cage installed, I doubt I could make it happen.  It does have lights, wipers, and is within legal noise limits.

BRE Datsun (Broke Racing Effluence) formerly Dawn of the Zed Racing
'74 260Z
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/editpicture.php … 2559430584

Jeff G 78's Website

  • sergio
  • Lemons Staff Stalker
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
  • Posts: 1,185

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

MurileeMartin wrote:

The winner of the last Texas race drove to and from the track.

Our car passes the Texas Safety and Emissions inspection. The converters come off for racing. Has liablility insurance and license plates. When the car turns 25 years old it will be exempt from emissions testing. 2014!! No way it can last that long......

  • bob-e
  • Ripened Lemon
  • Offline
  • From: Middle, TN
  • Registered: 2009-06-08
  • Posts: 265

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

The duff guys said their car was a daily driver.  They drove it home......after changing out some things like headlights and transmissions

  • From: Spring, TX
  • Registered: 2009-10-25
  • Posts: 459

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

since we're not building RACE CARS i'd think it'd be easy to keep a true LEMON street legal...

ours will be.

Mike Peters
Former rotary brat pioneer.
3.17.08 Jalopnik Hoon of the day.  #hasbeen
1984 Dodge Rampage, A few SHO engines, a Mustang 8.8, and a lot of hot glue going on now.

mikespeed95's Website

  • Registered: 2009-09-19
  • Posts: 30

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

Mines still got a tag and insurance.  Just don't tell johnny fed about the gutted cat.

14 Reply by Sparky Pete (edited by "Sparky" Pete 2010-03-11 02:56 PM)

  • From: WOOTville USA
  • Registered: 2009-05-06
  • Posts: 2,415

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

The ZomBee spends more time broke down on the street than it does being pushed off the track. Hell, I even take it to Home Depot! (theoretical unlimited vertical loading area and such)

I'm actually looking for an itty-bitty pop up trailer to tow up to the next race with it. Gonna weld a tiny tire rack on the front, and...

"Real ZomBees prefer Bacon"
IOE(x2) MGB/SAAB 96, Judge's Choice, Class C Win, & 2011 Hooniverse Car of the Year!
MRolla, Stick Figure/Animal House, Free Range MR2, SAAB Sonett, "The Death Flip"
2008 Exoskeleton Jag Fiasco, Concours d Lemons - Rue Britannia, worse British car.

Sparky Pete's Website

  • From: San Diego, CA
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
  • Posts: 1,640

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

lbreevesii wrote:

Mines still got a tag and insurance.  Just don't tell johnny fed about the gutted cat.

Keeping our car insured got us a $200 insurance payout when it was rear ended on the way to a race!

The Homer: Powerful like a gorilla, yet soft and yielding like a Nerf ball.
  • From: Seattle, WA
  • Registered: 2009-10-28
  • Posts: 2,112

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

"Sparky" Pete wrote:

I'm actually looking for an itty-bitty pop up trailer to tow up to the next race with it.

Behind an MGB?  That's just crazy talk.  It'll never work.  Let me know if you need tips on installing the hitch.

1982 MG Metro 1300: IOE 2015 Pacific Northworst GP, Longest Distance 2010 Cd'L Box Wine Country Classic
1980 KV Mini 1: Worst of Show and Fright Pig Supremo 2009 Concours d'Lemons
1978 H Special: Second-Round Elimination 2010 Lemons Pinewood Derby at Sears Pointless
1967 SAAB 96: IOE 2012 Pacific Northworst GP, Organizer's Choice 2022 Hell on Wheels California Rally
  • JThw8
  • JThw8
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • From: Mullica Hill, NJ
  • Registered: 2009-06-10
  • Posts: 1,781

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

The Wartburg will be street legal before and after the race.  We have to take it on BABE first.  When all this Trifecta of Crap insanity is over I plan to cruise it and even take it to work on occasion.

NJ is generally tough but thankfully Historic registration bypasses all inspection and emissions checks.

http://wartburg.misfittoysracing.com
OTTER: "I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part."
BLUTO: "We're just the guys to do it."

JThw8's Website

  • From: SF Bay Area
  • Registered: 2009-05-01
  • Posts: 146

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

LTDScott wrote:
lbreevesii wrote:

Mines still got a tag and insurance.  Just don't tell johnny fed about the gutted cat.

Keeping our car insured got us a $200 insurance payout when it was rear ended on the way to a race!

Did that cover repairs to the bumper or bent pricks?

http://TeamStimulusPackage.blogspot.com

OverStimulated's Website

  • Fish
  • Ripened Lemon
  • Offline
  • From: San Diego, CA
  • Registered: 2009-05-01
  • Posts: 306

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

This was my Lemons car before Lemons even existed in '04. I drove it on the street everyday and never got pulled over:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5KwYXhXxmg

  • From: Tampa, Fl
  • Registered: 2009-05-29
  • Posts: 259

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

we are planning on getting our VW street legal, In fl its easy. We just need the head and tail lights, wipers and mirrors. Since its a FL titled car it wont need to be inspected. I can just go get a plate for it. Also since its a 1969 it qualifies for classic plates and insurance.

EuroTrash E30 - Lemons South 08 (cooling probs) 24th /CMP  Spring 09 (fuel tank damage) one day on track 69th /Lemons South 09 (Hit by an Escort) 27th
MSR Tx, 10 2oth, no issues other than rain. /CHump Homestead Miami 10- 2nd place.
  • From: Shaker Heights, OH
  • Registered: 2009-06-23
  • Posts: 190

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

All you silly people who live in states where they actually inspect the safety of cars. Here in Ohio, I only have to pass the emissions test every two years. When I eventually get my Lemons project underway, it will totally be streetable.

cbustapeck's Website

  • sergio
  • Lemons Staff Stalker
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
  • Posts: 1,185

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

Our safety test in Tx is basically check the lights, horn, wipers, tires, and the car has to stop in 25ft at 20mph.

  • From: Shaker Heights, OH
  • Registered: 2009-06-23
  • Posts: 190

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

One thing to keep in mind: if your car is street legal, you can *gasp* actually drive it once or twice before you get to the race. You might even throw a bearing then, rather than on the parade laps before the race.

cbustapeck's Website

  • From: Choctaw, Oklahoma
  • Registered: 2009-11-12
  • Posts: 2,145

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

All you silly people who live in states where they actually inspect the safety of cars. Here in Ohio, I only have to pass the emissions test every two years. When I eventually get my Lemons project underway, it will totally be streetable.

All you silly people that have to have the state look at their cars! Here in Oklahoma they don't inspect. Anything.

That said, I did get pulled over in my heavily ported RX-7 the day I put dual 2 1/2" pipes on it.

The first words out of the cop's mouth were, "That thing sounds like a chainsaw."

To which I replied, "Yes, it does."

  • From: Tampa, Florida
  • Registered: 2009-05-05
  • Posts: 121

Re: Street Legal-ish Lemons

Our car is also street legal (titled, registered, and insured.)  Once we get to the track, we remove all the glass (except for the windshield), headlights, taillights, and the rear hatch.

We are actually going to drive it to an AutoX this weekend. This will be its third AutoX, one drift event, and many other events we do between Lemons races.

Makes it real easy to test out any changes we make before getting to a race.