The Local Motors Rally Fighter. A car (truck? Baja racer for the street?) that I would sell body parts to science for in order to acquire one. They sell in the neighborhood of $90,000 new, sound like violence and run like hell over just about any terrain on planet Earth. They even make you build parts of the car yourself…it’s a legal thing, I know, but I love the fact that they require it! And they will jump-test your new Rally Fighter on the jump just outside of the factory. It might be expensive, but in this case, it’s worth it.
The one pictured, however, might not be. This Rally Fighter is on Ebay for $34,950 and that’s because it’s been rolled. And that brings up a question: would you bother putting it back together? In the case of the Rally Fighter, if money wasn’t an issue, hell yes I would. If you remember a couple of years back, a Baja team front-flipped their Rally Fighter and kept on driving like nothing happened. That’s good enough for me to consider rebuilding. Would I do the same for a 1984 Escort? Nope. What about a fourth-gen F-body? Would depend on the damage and the value…I’m not saving a six-cylinder car, but if it was an LS1-powered car and only had minor damage, I might give it a shot. What about you? What would it take for you to look at a website like Copart and think, “Y’know, a salvage title wouldn’t be so bad…”
eBay Link: 2013 Local Motors Rally Fighter
I have a 99 F-350 that I love. Wanted one since I was 10 and spent 3 years looking for the perfect one. I plan on owning it for the rest of my life as long as it isn’t totaled by some idiot playing on his phone. Even then I will buy it back and begin rebuilding. As long as it’s not a smoking black frame.
When it comes to cars, you either think with your ego or your wallet. If you are using your ego to make a decision, I can pretty much guarantee you are going to face a loss. Thinking with your wallet is the way to go. And stay away from borderline cars. 99% of the time you misfigured your costs so you will wide up in the red.
If money is no object, well, just send me some if it means that little to you.
With the ever expanding price of air cooled VWs and early Porsche stuff these days, you would be surprised what people are putting back together. You can damn near build a new bus with the rust repair panels available. There is some really talented work going on.