You know those build-your-own kit cars that all of us loved when we were kids? How would you feel if we told you that you could relive those old memories on a real vehicle that's the definite personification of a bad-ass ride?

We first saw Local Motors' Rally Fighter at SEMA a few years ago where it predictably caught the attention of many a heads while flaunting its awesomeness during the event in Las Vegas. Since then, the Rally Fighter has become one of the most unique car purchases you can ever have, complete with the opportunity to help build the car from the ground up.

The futuristic off-roader is a self proclaimed "premium, authentic off-road experience, custom designed and built for the deserts of the American Southwest." Even better than that is the fact that this machine is completely street legal and is actually 50-state-emissions compliant.

Don't mistake it for a bare-as-bones niche vehicle that is catered only to a specific market. The Rally Fighter is an all-purpose ride that commands serious attention from just about all walks of life.

Speaking for ourselves, we'd certainly want to have one to call our own someday.

Find out more on the Rally Fighter after the jump.

2009 - 2012 Local Motors Rally Fighter

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2009 - 2012 Local Motors Rally Fighter
  • Engine/Motor: V8 engine
  • Horsepower: 430 horsepower at 5,900 rpm
  • Torque: 424 lb/ft of torque at 4,600 rpm.
  • Transmission: six-speed automatic transmission
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Where Did This Thing Come From?

The Rally Fighter was a vehicle designed on the internet during a competition held by Local Motors. The person with the best design (as decided by online votes) got to be the man behind the car. What they ended up with was a car powered by a Corvette engine with a Chevy transmission, a Ford truck rear end with Honda Civic taillights, Mazda Miata door handles, and an F150 steering wheel. This is a big melting pot of a car and the 430 HP engine and killer suspension make it one heckuva ride.

Exterior and Interior

In an effort to reduce the weight of the Rally Fighter, Local Motors went ahead and opted to use some fine-quality material on the off-roader. For starters, there's plenty of carbon fiber incorporated into the vehicle, including the front, the rear, the floor pans, and even the underbelly. Initially, Local Motors opted to steer clear of having the Rally Fighter decked in fancy finishes, choosing to wrap the prototype vehicle in vinyl. But now that production has started on a per-order basis, the American manufacturer is starting to give prospective customers free reign in choosing what finish they'd like to have on their ride, even giving design options should buyers be interested in them.

This is a unique feature for the Rally Fighter. Every prospective buyer will have the chance to experience Local Motor's "Build Experience" where you can reserve a build date and join Local Motors for two 3-day weekends to build, or at least help build, your very own Rally Fighter.

All told, the Rally Fighter measures 189 inches long, 80 inches wide, and 69.25 inches high with a choice to lower the suspensions to 61.25 inches and a pretty svelte weight of just 3,200 lbs, which for a car of this size is extremely light weight.

Looking to the part of a juiced up buggy, people won't mistake the Rally Fighter for any other vehicle on the market. The relative simplicity of the car's aesthetics perfectly tunes itself to the fact that Local Motors wanted the Rally Fighter to be an off-roader that isn't afraid to get down and dirty when the situation calls for it. It's as intimidating a car that commands full attention without looking scary in the least bit.

Performance

The Rally Fighter closed cockpit buggy is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. These components together produce an output of 430 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 424 lb/ft of torque at 4,600 rpm.

Pricing

The Rally Fighter is built on a per-order basis, so if you're interested in buying and building a 2012 model, Local Motors is scheduled to announce the pricing and available build dates for the off-road vehicle in September. All you need to do is let them know your intentions about buying one, deposit $5,000, reserve a build date, inform them three months in advance all your chosen options, and show up on the first day of your build weekend. Pretty simple, yes?

How Many Are Out There?

As a customized off-roader built based on consumer demand, Local Motors already has built 22 Rally Fighters - 21 are here in the US and one is in Kazakhstan, believe it or not.

Rally Fighter: A Car Story

Local Motors released an 11-part video series chronicling the journey to build the Rally Fighter from the company's humble beginnings to the off-road utility vehicle finally getting his run on the sand. Check it out by clicking on the image above because it's a definite must-watch! Remember, to see the next video, just click on the next button on the player.