In every gearhead’s mind, there's that ultra-fast car they wish they owned. And sometimes these cars end up as only wishes because they aren’t street legal. Now if you think that is tragic, you might call it a grave injustice when you find out that there are some really fast street-legal supercars that Americans can’t have, no matter how ‘street-legal they are.’

Street-legal cars are cars that the law has allowed to operate on the road at any time without restrictions. The thing with street-legal cars is that there are no blanket rules that govern them all, as each state gets to control the type of vehicles that they allow to operate in their territories. One of the major reasons why some cars are not allowed in the United States is because they do not meet the safety regulations of the country. So let's take a look at ten extremely fast sports cars that Americans may drool over, but can't have.

10 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera RS (164 MPH)

Porsche 911 Carrera
Via TheWheelNetwork:YouTube

Porsche’s 911 Carrera RS could hit 60 mph from rest in 5.5 seconds and had a top speed of 163 mph. But the reason why it was banned in the US was due to safety and emission concerns.

Porsche 911 Carrera Shown
Via AutoTrader

Although the original Carrera RS was too aggressive for the US roads, 45 units of a street-legal version were brought into the country for racing, and quietly sold. Later on, Porsche would go on to build a toned-down version of the car, known as the RS America.

9 Peugeot RCZ (146 MPH)

Peugeot RCZ
Via AutoMotoTube:YouTube

Manufactured by French automakers - Peugeot - from 2009 to 2015, the RCZ Coupe failed to break into the North American market, as it fell short of the strict safety regulations. Originally designed as a concept car, Peugeot built the RCZ because of the rave reviews it was getting.

RCZ
Via PeugeotSportClubUK

The RCZ amassed a huge fanbase because of its affordable price tag, and incredible performance. However, since the Peugeot left the American market in 1992, none of their models are sold in the country. There are speculations that the vehicle might have performed well in the US, but we’ll never know.

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8 1993 Lamborghini Strosek Diablo (190 MPH)

1993 Lamborghini Strosek Diablo
Via AroundTheWorld:YouTube

There are only a handful of people with the resources to buy the Strosek Diablo or even find it. Unfortunately, even if Americans could afford or somehow manage to snatch the car, US laws ban the Strosek Diablo from plying American roads. This aggressively styled Italian car is capable of going at a top speed of up to 200mph.

1993 Lamborghini Strosek Diablo Shown
Via HotCars

Surprisingly, it was not the speed of the car that made it unacceptable in the American market, but the unusual roof-mounted wing mirrors and extra headlights pushed the NHTSA to blacklist the Storek Diablo.

7 2011 Wiesmann GT MF5 (193 MPH)

2011 Wiesmann GT MF5
Via TopSpeed:YouTube

This Wiesmann GT MF5 with a top speed of 193 mph is a perfect example of why cars are denied access into the US. For the most part, with only 20 models produced, it is extremely rare enough to pass the test.

2011 Wiesmann GT MF5 Parked
Via Kille007SP:YouTube

Moreso, the United States safety regulations that were put in place did not permit the acceptance of the Wiesmann GT. But even if Americans could have it, the hefty price attached to the car has made purchasing near impossible for a higher majority of the population.

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6 2003 TVR Tuscan (180 MPH)

2002-tvr-tuscan-mk1-s-l10uod-1_orig
Via TVRPhotos

The TVR Tuscan is a car that is famous for its acceleration. It is what you’d typically describe as a driver’s car. With a top speed of 180mph, a six-speed manual transmission, and a stylish outlook, the Tuscan is highly desired by Americans.

2003 TVR Tuscan
Via MotorBiscuit

Unfortunately, the failure to put airbags and antilock brakes has made the United States label it unsafe for their streets, and gearheads who live in the US have no other option but to watch the car roar from afar.

5 TVR Sagaris (185 MPH)

TVR Sagaris
Via TVRCarClub

British car builder TVR, has over time dealt strictly with high-end sport cars for Japanese and European consumers. So it's no surprise that Sagaris models aren't allowed entry in America, like most other TVR models.

5-tvr-sagaris-2005-hero-front
Via HotCars

Built for endurance racing, Sagaris uses a Tennis GH TVR Speed Six motor that generates 406 hp. Strangely, the car lacks basic safety features like ABS, stability control, and Traction Control. It's lack of airbags was a turn off for the NHTSA.

RELATED: Here's Why The Dodge Viper ACR Is Barely Street Legal

4 2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Roadster (181 MPH)

The_Alfa_Romeo_8C_Spider_Goodwood_festival_of_speed_2010_via_Wikimedia
Via HotCars

Asides being one of the most iconic cars made in Europe, the 8C Spider’s style and sophistication has made it desirable for drivers around the world. It is fun and fast in a straight line, coupled with an incredible handling balance.

2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Roadster
Via Bonhams

Although there are Alfa Romeo models in the US, the 8C Spider Roadster wasn’t designed with the American market in mind. However, in 2014, Alfa Romeo built a North American version that isn’t as fast as the European model because of its weight.

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3 1993 Jaguar XJ220S (221.3 MPH)

1993 Jaguar XJ220S
MecumAuctions

After the XJS won the 1983 European Touring Car Championship, race team owner Tom Walkinshaw went on to create an amazing version of the supercar. If the XJ220 was the fastest car in the mid-nineties, then the version produced by Tom Walkinshaw Racing was mind-blowing.

Red 1993 Jaguar XJ220S
Via MecumAuctions

Compared to the XJ220, TWR’s version was produced with a composite body and a more powerful engine. Fitted with a V12 engine with a top speed of 212.3 mph, the car is so rare and unobtainable that it might as well be illegal. Only six of these cars were produced, and due to its terrifying speed, NHTSA made it illegal for Americans to own.

2 Lotus 340R (133 MPH)

Lotus 340R
Via Bonhams

The Lotus 340R wouldn't look out of place in a Fast and Furious movie as it is the ultimate street race car. Based on the Lotus Elise sports car, the 340R has no roof, windows, and it is fitted with only two bucket seats. Weighing just 1,488 pounds, the 340R can hit 60 mph from a standstill in just 4.5 seconds, and it takes just 13.7 seconds to hit the quarter-mile.

Blue Lotus 340R
Via Xantijn:YouTube

However, the top speed of 133 mph was not the reason that it was banned from the US. The 340R didn't meet the tough safety requirements for street legal cars due to its minimal bodywork.

1 TVR Cerbera (160 MPH)

Black TVR Cerbera
Via ShmooAutomotiveLtd:YouTube

Produced between 1996 and 2003, the Cerbera is one of TVR’s most powerful vehicles. The car was fitted with a powerful 420 hp engine, which was perhaps the most outstanding feature of the Cerbera. The naturally aspirated 4.5 Litre 16v V8 petrol engine accelerates up to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds on to a maximum speed of 160 mph.

TVR Cerbera
Via ShmooAutomotiveLtd:YouTube

Weighing 2425 lbs with a 65 litre tank capacity, the Cerbera can average 17.7 mpg, and travel 253 miles before requiring a refill. Sadly, Americans can’t have this one as US safety authorities have pretty much banned every TVR vehicle made between 1996 and 2005.