Le Mans Prototypes: which looks better, open or closed?

[Bentley03]

I'd like to get a handle on the split between members on this subject. Many of us express a preference, sometimes a very strong preference, but it's difficult to gauge (from just the odd comment) if there is actually a majority concensus one way or the other.

By all means discuss, but I was just interested to know peoples preferences, from an aesthetic point of view, with regard to open and closed Le Mans prototypes. I'm not interested in the advantages or disadvantages, just the way they look.

So, it's a very simple poll; do you generally prefer the look of an open Le Mans Prototype, or a closed Le Mans Prototype, it's as simple as that.

Thanks guys and gals!

[vandijk]

No doubt.... (link)

[The359]

It is unfortunately not an easy answer. It depends on the rules, really. I like Group C cars but am not fond of DPs. I hate early IMSA WSC cars but love some modern LMPs.

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by The359

It is unfortunately not an easy answer. It depends on the rules, really. I like Group C cars but am not fond of DPs. I hate early IMSA WSC cars but love some modern LMPs.

Well, you can ignore DP's, the poll is Le Mans prototype specific. And, the word 'generally', should help those perched precariously on the fence...........

[Dani Filth]

i like both open and closed sportscars .. but generally .. the better looking ones are coupe

[gucom]

generally i prefer closed prototypes, group C, the late '90s "GT1" cars such as '98 911 GT1 and CLK-LM / CLR, and the concepts of the 2010 coupes i've seen so far all looked pretty good. However, although the peugeot 908 looks better than the R10 imo, open cars like the R8 and pescarolo look better than the 908... basically a coupe should be a proper coupe and not a single-seater open prototype with a tiny excuse for a roof bolted on

[FIRE]

Closed (like the '01/'02 Bentley)

[Lusitano]

Originally Posted by vandijk

No doubt.... (link)

Indeed!!!

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by gucom

generally i prefer closed prototypes, group C, the late '90s "GT1" cars such as '98 911 GT1 and CLK-LM / CLR, and the concepts of the 2010 coupes i've seen so far all looked pretty good. However, although the peugeot 908 looks better than the R10 imo, open cars like the R8 and pescarolo look better than the 908... basically a coupe should be a proper coupe and not a single-seater open prototype with a tiny excuse for a roof bolted on

I would agree.

L.P.

[gran_champ]

closed. sports car racing is for manufacturers to show what they have to offer the potential customer. and at this point in time, most production cars are closed, and not to mention convertibles are always less nimble and refined as their closed counterparts.

[Subaru_WRX_STi]

Open top LMPs, I loved the V12 LMR and the Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S, so much, the only GTP that I like is the beautifull Toyota GT-One of 98-99

[chernaudi]

The only closed LMP car that I really like is the '03 Bentley Speed 8. Other than that, it's the Audi R8 and R10, the Panoz LMP1/01 evo, and the Pesca(which version doesn't matter as long as it's Judd V10 powered).

[gucom]

^i must agree, the panoz was an awesome car... i'd love to see more front-engined prototypes wether they're open or closed... it would add to the link between (manufacturer) protypes and their roadcars...

[Graz]

Closed without a shadow of a doubt. The only open sportscar I liked was the Ferrari 333SP. Other than that, the open toppers are pretty ugly imo compared to closed tops be it Group C or modern closed tops like the Bentley and currently the Peugeot.

[brielga]

closed, 100%

[SALEEN S7R]

Originally Posted by vandijk

No doubt.... (link)

Am I the only person here to think that looks a little bit too much like a Grand Am car? That said for me coupes is the way to go.

[johntt]

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

Am I the only person here to think that looks a little bit too much like a Grand Am car? That said for me coupes is the way to go.

Coupes for me.

http://www.fourtitude.com/news/publi...cle_3374.shtml - This is another interpretation of a closed Audi, looks more aggressive. Less Grand-Am like.

[GTfour]

Porsche 911 EVO98,Toyota TS020,McLaren F1 GTR Longtail,Panoz Esperante GTR1,Bentley EXP Speed 8,Nissan R390 GT1,Jag XJR9,Mazda 787b,Porsche 917LH/917K and 956/962C...

No way any of the open cars can compete to that kind of beauty in my book.

[rcarr]

Originally Posted by johntt

Coupes for me.

http://www.fourtitude.com/news/publi...cle_3374.shtml - This is another interpretation of a closed Audi, looks more aggressive. Less Grand-Am like.

Very, very ugly though!

I am with closed cars 100% but not coupes, why do they need to expand brand awareness? Ferrari F1 cars don't look anything like the road cars apart from being red!
In my opinion there is nothing more beautiful than a Mercedes C9. C11 or indeed a Jaguar XJR9. They were big hairy sportscars, thats what we need, not restricted engines and aero, we need cars that are capable of doing 250 mph and stick to the road, I am thinking the illegitamate child of the Mercedes C9 and WMs of 88 and 89.

[The359]

Since we're eliminating DPs, I'll have to go with closed-cockpit cars as well by a slight margin.

[gucom]

Originally Posted by rcarr

Very, very ugly though!

I am with closed cars 100% but not coupes, why do they need to expand brand awareness? Ferrari F1 cars don't look anything like the road cars apart from being red!

lol why do they need to expand brand awareness... let me see... road car cues = better marketing platform for commercial car makers = more manufacturer involvement = more spectator attraction = more money, more fame, more prestige... Ferrari F1 cars, as all F1 cars, are ugly as hell
i like the fact that at Le Mans, (some of) the manufacturers have a decent roadcar link (Audi FSI, porsche's racing block from '98 GT1 is still the basis of the current GT3 engine). Le Mans has historically been a place for manufacturers to showcase their abilities and technology. F1 has hardly any link with roadcars left.
I also like the looks to be more closely linked to the roadcars. For you as a hardcore racing fan, the functional beauty of the Group C cars is the best thing ever... to the general public (to which i apparently belong :P ), the link with roadcars could be the thing to draw their interest away from F1

[Subaru_WRX_STi]

the Courage LC70 is great too !

about the old "GT1" true they were by far more beautiful than the true LMP, but now thses closed cars are somehow clones, with minors diffrences between them !

[Justin Moran]

I think my username and avatar say it all!

[Mike_Wooshy]

Closed prototypes all the way!

[brielga]

Originally Posted by GTfour

Porsche 911 EVO98,Toyota TS020,McLaren F1 GTR Longtail,Panoz Esperante GTR1,Bentley EXP Speed 8,Nissan R390 GT1,Jag XJR9,Mazda 787b,Porsche 917LH/917K and 956/962C...

No way any of the open cars can compete to that kind of beauty in my book.

Indeed... and also the Ferraris P3 and 4, the 512S, Porsche 908 and 910, Lola T70...although some of the open like the Matra 650 and 670, the Porsche 908/3, the Chevron B19 and several of the Alfa 33 models were also beautiful.