Introduction

The Local Motors Rally Fighter is unlike anything else on the road today. It’s a mashup of two completely different automotive worlds: the ruggedness of an off-roader and the performance of a sports car. Powered by a Chevy Corvette V8 engine, this beast offers rear-wheel drive and long-travel suspension, making it the ultimate off-road sports car. With its aggressive design, lifted stance, and quirky history, the Rally Fighter stands out as one of the most unique vehicles ever produced.
In this article, I’ll take you through the fascinating quirks, features, and driving experience of the Local Motors Rally Fighter and explain why it’s a truly one-of-a-kind machine.

What is the Local Motors Rally Fighter?

If you’re unfamiliar with the Rally Fighter, you’re probably wondering what exactly this vehicle is. Built between 2010 and 2015 by Local Motors, an Arizona-based company, the Rally Fighter was designed to be an off-road sports car—a high-speed desert runner rather than a technical rock crawler. The car is rear-wheel drive and built to drift through sand dunes and tear up desert trails with ease.
What makes the Rally Fighter even more interesting is how it was assembled. The company invited buyers to come to their factory and help build their own car, essentially making it a kit car. This allowed the vehicle to be registered in all 50 states, including California, where emissions and safety regulations are notoriously strict. The customer involvement in the build process also added to the car’s unique appeal.

Customization and Low Production Volume

With a production run of only about 100 vehicles, the Rally Fighter is extremely rare. Each car could be heavily customized to fit the buyer’s specific needs and desires. While all Rally Fighters share the same core design, buyers had the option to choose between different engines and performance setups. Most models came with the LS3 V8 engine from the C6 Corvette, but buyers could opt for turbocharging or supercharging to boost performance even further.
One interesting fact is that the Rally Fighter even made its way into the Fast and Furious movie franchise. For the film, a few models were built with four-wheel drive, but most Rally Fighters, like this one, were rear-wheel drive to keep the car lightweight and true to its off-road, drifting roots.

A Distinctive and Crowdsourced Design

The Rally Fighter’s appearance is just as unique as its build process. The design was crowdsourced, meaning Local Motors opened up a contest for people to submit their ideas for what this off-road sports car should look like. Thousands of submissions poured in, and the winning design was submitted by a man named Sangho Kim from Pasadena, California.
The result is a striking, aggressive body style that perfectly balances sports car sleekness with off-road toughness. One of the coolest parts of the car’s design is that Kim’s signature is featured on the vehicle, commemorating his winning design. While the overall look of the car is uniform across all models, various components, like the mirrors, reflectors, and taillights, were borrowed from other manufacturers to keep costs down. For instance, the side mirrors are from a Dodge Challenger, and the taillights come from a Honda Civic coupe.

Off-Road Capabilities and Performance

Despite its sports car DNA, the Rally Fighter is built for serious off-road performance. It comes with long-travel suspension—16 inches in the front and 20 inches in the rear—making it ideal for tackling rough terrain at high speeds. With its lifted stance and massive King suspension components, the Rally Fighter is more than capable of handling off-road challenges.
One of the most interesting features is that the engine is not in the usual position. Instead, it’s pushed back behind the front axle, making the Rally Fighter a front mid-engine vehicle. This placement helps with weight distribution, especially since the engine is offset toward the passenger side to balance the driver’s weight. With the driver in place, the Rally Fighter achieves near-perfect weight distribution.

Interior Quirks and Features

Step inside the Rally Fighter, and you’ll notice a mix of practical off-road design and surprising luxury features. Even though this is an off-road-focused vehicle, it comes with power windows, power seats, air conditioning, and even a backup camera. The cabin feels more comfortable than you might expect from such a rugged machine.
One quirky detail is the use of parts from other vehicles throughout the interior. For example, the door handles and steering column come from Honda and Ford models, respectively. This mishmash of parts was another way Local Motors kept costs down while maintaining regulatory standards. Despite these borrowed components, the interior still feels special, with Rally Fighter-specific design touches like custom button icons that feature the car’s silhouette.
One of the more surprising elements of the Rally Fighter is that it has back seats. Yes, despite its aggressive off-road exterior, there are two small rear seats suitable for children or extra cargo. However, if you opt for the optional racing harness bar, like in this particular model, the rear seats become virtually unusable. Still, having rear seats in an off-road sports car is a rare and quirky feature that adds to the vehicle’s charm.

Driving the Rally Fighter

Driving the Rally Fighter is an experience unlike any other. It’s fast, powerful, and surprisingly nimble for such a large, lifted vehicle. The LS3 V8 engine roars to life with authority, delivering more than enough power to tackle both off-road trails and highways. Despite its off-road suspension, the Rally Fighter feels stable on the road, and the steering is quick and responsive, more sports car-like than you might expect.
Off-road, the Rally Fighter really shines. With its high ground clearance and long-travel suspension, the car can glide over rough terrain with ease. It feels like a desert runner designed to conquer dunes and dirt roads, and the rear-wheel-drive setup makes it perfect for drifting through sand and gravel.

Conclusion: A Truly Unique Off-Road Sports Car

The Local Motors Rally Fighter is a rare, thrilling, and utterly unique vehicle. Combining the power of a Corvette with the off-road prowess of a desert runner, it’s truly in a class of its own. With only around 100 ever made, each Rally Fighter is a customized piece of automotive art. Its quirks, features, and unmistakable design make it a car that stands out wherever it goes.
I recently discovered someone who had a similar experience with the Rally Fighter, and their story really inspired me. If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating vehicle, check out their video here: The Local Motors Rally Fighter Is a Ridiculous Off-Road Sports Car.