A Rare Open-Source 450-HP 'Rally Fighter' for Sale on eBay
Performance
Sports Cars
Culture
Oddities
Builders
Local Motors is best known today for developing automotive 3D printing technology and toaster-shaped self-driving shuttles - opens in new window or tab.. But more than a decade ago, the high-tech firm was producing open-source sports car designs - opens in new window or tab. built in micro-factories. The low-mileage 2012 red and black beauty offered on eBay a few years ago is a prime example.
Local Motors produced the Rally Fighter for approximately seven years, following its introduction at the 2009 SEMA Show. The design came from Sangho Kim, a member of the Local Motors community of auto enthusiasts. At the time, he was a recent graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif.
Design alternatives for the Rally Fighter interior, car wrap and other features also come from the community. Each vehicle was custom-built, often with the owner's participation. The promise of micro-factories was the ability to build highly customized, niche vehicles in small batches.
While the seller states that Local Motors produced 2,000 Rally Fighters each year, the production number was significantly less. Based on our research, Local Motors built approximately 100 Rally Fighters before the company pivoted to autonomous vehicle tech.
In 2018, Autoweek reported - opens in new window or tab. that Local Motors no longer offered the Rally Fighter.
Second-Gen Upgrades
The second-generation Rally Fighter for sale on eBay has several vital upgrades. The Rally Fighter's power always came from a GM E-Rod 6.2-liter LS3 - opens in new window or tab., producing close to 450 horsepower. But the aluminum V-8 now bolts up to an upgraded GM 4L85E automatic transmission and transmission cooler.
Also, King coil-over shock absorbers - opens in new window or tab. replaced the standard Fox units and deliver 18-inches of travel up front, along with 20-inches of travel in the back.
Interior upgrades include Recaro seats, new carpets, and window seals. The seller states:
The Rally Fighter might look like a race vehicle, but inside it is all luxury.
A peek at the rear seat tells a slightly different story. This is a desert racer with room for four. The car rides on Method Racing bead-lock alloy wheels - opens in new window or tab. wrapped with 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler MTR tires - opens in new window or tab.. It’s a winning combo.
The graphic red and black livery is a vinyl wrap - opens in new window or tab. rather than a conventional paint job. Local Motors opted for wraps to reduce weight and ensure exclusivity.
The Rally Fighter Is Hard to Find
While it’s still possible to buy a new Rally Fighter, you’ll most likely end up in the secondary market. Rally Fighters appear on eBay Motors from time to time. We wrote about Miss Behavin’ - opens in new window or tab., P-51 Mustang Warbird-inspired Rally Fighter in fall 2017.
If you’re buying a previously owned Rally Fighter, you’ll probably want to opt for a second-generation car. First-generation models were very much beta products.
Anytime Auto Works in Temecula, Calif., continues to support the Rally Fighter. Proprietor Buddy Crisp was Local Motors’s lead builder for the Rally Fighter project. While owners can handle basic repairs locally, they will likely want to ship their cars to Temecula for more complex repair and modification work.
If you need Rally Fighter bits and pieces, or a complete car built from the ground up, Anytime Auto Works is the source. Crisp told us:
We still have the molds and the tooling. We still build one or two here or there. We’re in the middle of building one right now.
Meanwhile, the Rally Fighter example listed on eBay has only 12,000 miles on the odometer, and it looks to be well-maintained. With only about 100 ever produced, they don't come up for sale very often. And there’s little to no chance you’ll see another one on your block—or even in your state.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.