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So you were cruising down the highway the other day when a quick sports car came up behind you. You moved over to give it room to pass (because you’re a polite driver), and as it went by you noticed something odd: A grille decked out with extra lights. Enthusiasts inspired by off road rally racing often install these on sports cars. It’s all part of a style called “rally spec.”

What’s rally spec stand for? Rally Specification. Technically, it means a street car modified with all the equipment required for a true rally race. Such a car is built up for brutal speeds off road during both daytime and nighttime races. Thus the lights. But in car modifiers often say rally spec when referring to a lightly modified classic sports car. May enthusiasts also say “safari spec.”

Rally spec Audi Quattro race car on a mountain road.
Audi Quattro rally car } Wirestock via iStocKPhoto

The most noticeable modifications are often bumper or hood-mounted auxiliary lights. A rally spec car may also have a roof rack with a spare tire, extra fuel, or more lights. Finally, you may see them on tires with an aggressive, off-road tread pattern and mud flaps.

Many enthusiasts like rally spec just because they think it looks cool. It is also a great way to make a sports car stand out from other classic cars that are the same make and model. 

Another major benefit is that you can swap to “knobby” tires and install some extra lights on any vehicle without permanent modifications. If you ever need to sell the car, you can just remove these parts and its “stock” again.Finally, if you like taking your sports car out for long cruises on dirt roads, a rally spec setup can be very functional. The more aggressive tires help on muddy roads. As for those extra headlights? Well they’re very bright so illegal to flip on, on public roadways in most states. But if you’re truly off-road after dark, they’re extremely helpful.

Check out a rally spec Porsche build in the video embedded below:

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari is a MotorBiscuit Staff Writer who brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Henry covers Ford models daily, including the F-150. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. He’s an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts. Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont.

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