I love it! I might have even sat in this very car as a kid at Universal while it was on display. Great work on saving it from destruction! I can't wait to get my replica done...
I know u hear it all the time probably, but it’s truly amazing seeing kitt restored and seeing the history being told behind the cars and show.. amazing job! Especially this documentary.. thank u for what u do and for sharing with the rest of us fans!!
Great job, gentlemen! The entire history of the car, fragments of which could be seen on the Internet, is collected in one film. You've done a very good job of saving this important part of my childhood. I am touched! Thank you with all my heart!
_Thank you_ for everything you guys have done to save these two cars. I’m sure I speak for every child of the 80s around the world who felt KITT was his best friend once a week, when I say how much it means to us and our childhoods.
What a tremendous journey it has been indeed!! Thank you KRH for preserving one of the most beloved car superstars in history!! I can only imagine how David Hasselhoff must have felt getting reunited with THE K.I.T.T. after like 20 years. I’m happy for you Joe for having experienced these things…your heart must’ve been in S.P.M. lol!! :-)
Thanks for sharing the history of this screen used car. It's great to see that some of these wonderful cars are getting much needed love and attention.
Seeing the state the car was in when you acquired it and the work of art it is today,just goes to show it couldn't be in better hands. So glad you guys got to it when you did and preserved/restored this piece of TV history. I think I speak for everybody when I say "Thank You Knight Rider Historians"
Sorry I have not been on... I hurt my leg and with the weather changing.. I have been on the down... I have not forgotten you... You do the best work in preserving this show and the props...
I never understood the odd Universal Studio display setup, with the front of the car hanging over water (it's not like KITT was always going amphibious), leaving people unable to get a good look at the front of it - and it just dawned on me, perhaps that was all to keep people from trying to steal the scanner? There was also no mention of the swapping in of vinyl seats since they, um, "weathered" the crowd better :)
Awsome attention grabbing and superbe documentary history of this car.i sat in this car in 1990 at universal studios.took a pic in it.and long behold the display kitt you showing brought lots of good memories.what a privilege thet was.thank you for this.
that was a shame how it was left to rot thank god we got the historians to put the car back to loving glory i think all the kitts should of been saved karr would be nice next to your kitt
Seeing those kids sitting in K.I.T.T. reminded me when I was younger. My stepfather took me to a car show in Washington DC and their was K.I.T.T. I have a picture of myself at 14 years old (I think) sitting in that car. I remember looking at the dash board and seeing the dual TV's on the right. I also remember reaching to press the turbo boost button before being pulled away. lol
Very very Good History , But tell us more about of your Frend ORIGINAL Knight Rider car the 1st of 1982 History of his car , haw he faind it end his Restoraishon story will be so nice !!
I'm just catching up with your channel and I am sorta local to you, I would love to come see kitt at a local event . I'm in the new Stanton area just off of the turnpike.
So if 1994 was built into KITT in the summer of 1984 and was the 2nd to last car built, was the last car built the V6 that George Barris bought himself to make the convertible KITT for season 4? IIRC all the other special cars for SPM were made from existing cars (the JYD car for the transformation car etc), so it seems likely that the convertible was car # 1995.
Could you explain something to me? At 4:24 it's said that this car is a non t-top one, and at 5:51 it says that the t-top was simulated by riveted metal strips - but the later photos show it to have a t-top?
This is beautiful. It made me so angry at the level of negligence the studio gave this amazing piece of machinery that provided so much in their service. God bless you for salvaging one of my favorite characters from the 80s.
1994 probably has more personal contact with women than David to this day. I think I was passing through north of Vegas in 2010 and saw your property not knowing it was KITT. The trailer and tarp wrap definitely looks familiar.
The ideas did predict the future in part: screens inside a car, keyless entry, navigation, scanners of sorts, runflat tyres. You can even talk to your watch now.
Outstanding story. So awesome that you guys were able to save it from the junkyard. That’s a rarity because most junkyards refuse to sell vehicles as a whole.
Hey Joe, at 11:17 after discussing with my wife, I can confirm that on the left side of the screen that she is standing there next to her brother in the line to hop into KITT. I was also there and can only surmise that I am further to the left off camera as well. You can see a partly red piece of clothing and I believe that was me with my jumper on. You can see this jumper in the photos I have sent you previously. I am astonished to see we were there the day this photo was taken. 💖
Thanks for sharing. I know it's show business, but I find it impossible to believe that the studio was just going to destroy or leave the show cars to rot away. Also, the latest Hot Wheels game has KITT in game, and also sounds like they have screen accurate SFX while racing. Hot Wheels Unleashed.
I'm so glad that K.I.T.T. 1994 got a new life and such a happy ending. After making all that money for Universal and they couldn't even be bothered to cover him over. That's gratitude for you. He is now loved and appreciated and definitely belongs with you guys. I'm pleased he has found the right home at last.😀👍🏁
Love the history you guys keep sharing about these cars, I’m still blown away that that’s the car I sat in as a kid in 88 in brizvegas expo88. Thanks guys…👍👍👍
Out of most of the episodes, I find this one of the best ones just explaining how this car began it’s life in the Knight Rider series up to almost destroyed and again finding new life, job well done on the story guys 👍🏾👍🏾
Excellent work. I am so glad you recovered and preserved the car. And about those public appearances - you think that maybe you could bring it down here to Florida? I'd love a chance to see it in person.
Funny story to tell about KITT and Knight Rider. I was born in 1974 and a majority of my childhood and early teenage years all took place in the 1980’s. So I am definitely an 80’s kid for sure. With Knight Rider, I used to absolutely love that show and ever since the very first episode came out, I’ve always wanted to own a pristine Knight Rider KITT car myself. And to this day, that still has not ever changed and is something that is definitely on my “to do” bucket list before I do, assuming that I also get rich some day. Growing up, when GM switched the Camaro, Firebird and Trans Am’s to the 80’s body style that we all remembered both of my parents fell in love with those cars. Our very first Camaro was a 1982 red t-top Camaro that had a 4 cylinder engine and either a 4 or 5 speed manual transmission. I can’t remember which one exactly for sure though because I was only 8 years old when my parents bought the car and they only owned it for 2 years. That Camaro though had the same exact rims that KITT did but without the black center piece that was specific to just KITT. But the rims on my parents Camaro were silver/metal in color and not black. Because the car only had a 4 cylinder engine in it, the car was totally gutless and couldn’t get out of its own way even if it had wanted too. As a result, in 1984 my parents upgraded Camaro’s. On Halloween night in 1984, (I remember this because 10 year old me got robbed from being able to go out trick or treating with all of my friends because my parents and I were at the car dealership buying the new car.) but that night they traded in the gutless 1982 red Camaro for a fully loaded 1984 Z28 Camaro that was black with gold trim and tan interior that also hat t-tops as well but this one had a 350 V-8 and 5 speed manual transmission. This car would end up being my baby though and I had planned on owning it when I turned 16 and was going to turn it into a Camaro version of KITT because it was black, it had t-tops and the same color tan interior. When I turned 12 my Dad started teaching me how to drive in that car and I fell in love with it. Then in 1987, my parents traded it in for a 1987 Iroc Z28 Camaro that it too was fully loaded, had t-tops as well as a 350 V-8 with this new technology called fuel injection instead of the car being carbureted. The fuel injection was called “Tune Port Injected” or at least that was what one of the stickers on the car said. This car was metallic blue and was definitely a looker. But it was an automatic. And boy was I ever pissed! I fell in love with driving stick and now the car that I learned how to drive in and that I wanted to turn into the Camaro version of KITT was gone. Or so I thought… After my parents bought the Iroc Z28 we all went on vacation. During this time the dealer tried calling our house but we were gone. They tried telling my parents that the financing fell through but the only way to keep the car was to redo the deal at a higher interest rate. In reality, there was never anything wrong. The dealership just wanted to get more money out of my parents. They told them to pound sand and said that they already had signed paperwork of the agreement. In the end my parents could have fought the dealership and won but decided to give them the Iroc back and get the 84’ Z28 back under the condition that the dealership pay GM for 2 months worth of payments and any late fees occurred. The dealership was then super pissed when they saw that the Iroc had about 5,000 miles put on it in 3 weeks time. My parents told them that they were on vacation and were under the belief they owned the car and had every right to put however many miles that they wanted too on the car. The dealership knew they were then going to lose a ton of money on trying to sell the car again, lose my parents as long time customers of the dealership and all of our very large families businesses as well over trying to squeeze an extra 1% to 2% on the interest rate. Oh well, sucks to be them! Then in 1989, tragedy struck. One of my Dad’s cousins had a massive heart attack and died. He and his wife and just bought 2 months prior to his death a brand spanking new, fully loaded 1989 Pontiac Formula Firebird. It was black, fully loaded with t-tops and had every option on it. The widow of my Dads cousin thought she would be unable to make the payments on the car so my parents offered to buy it off of her to which she agreed. But because my parents did not want 2 car payments they sold my beloved 84’ Z28 to a co worker at the bank that my Mom worked at. The lady who bought the car was the adopted Mom of Olympic diver, Gred Louganis. Literally the day after she bought our car and my parents getting ready to get the Firebirds loan switched over to them the widow of my Dads cousin decided that she wanted the car back. And since the car was still in her name there was nothing that my parents could do. This then left them without a car. My parents then went and bought a fully loaded 1989 RS Camaro. It only had a 305 V-8 though but did have a 5 speed manual. My Dad made the dealership put silver/metal looking factory rims on the car though because GM was putting painted rims to match the cars at the time and they looked really stupid! We had that car up until I think 1997 or somewhere around there and I had a lot of great memories in that car. With all of our Camaros throughout the 80’s, and being very familiar with the interior and dash I always wondered where KITT’s voice box was located at? For some reason on the close up shots filmed on the voice box from anytime that KITT talked, I always thought that it was located down by where the stereo would be and not on the center instrument cluster where is actually is. Even to this day, and even though I now know where it is actually located at on those cars my mind still wants to picture it as being down by the stereo location for some reason? Anyway, thank you for this TH-cam channel and giving me the ability to re live my childhood once again and for keeping a few of the Knight Rider vehicles back to original condition all over again. You guys rock and this is very quickly becoming one of my most favorite TH-cam channels to watch!
What a fascinating story! All this time, I never realized that the car was in a really terrible condition after the show ended. But, I am thankful that you took all the time and effort to restore this car to its former glory. If KITT was actually real, I think he would say : "After what I've been through, a little publicity might help reinforce my self image." - Junk Yard Dog (Season 3, Episode 14) Also, I would love to see this car for real and maybe take it for a test drive someday. Thank you very much, Knight Rider Historians. You all never cease to amaze me. ❤️❤️❤️
Awesome documentary! I have an old polaroid I took from the Universal tour that's almost an exact match for the one at 7:03, and that I've treasured forever.
I suppose it's extra neat that this car was not only used in the show, and even Hasselhoff drove it some, but later also hundreds if not thousands of fans got to experience it too. So it's like both Hollywood and the fans had contact with it. So glad you saved it from destruction
Was scrolling through my usual knight rider search and found this. Had to play it on my television. I was glued to my tv. Loved this documentary. I even had most of the pictures I've saved from the knight rider online message board from decades ago when it was in its filthiest and trashed form. Loved the part of the car getting restored the most.
Marvelous documentary. I appreciate the efforts you guys have done and are still doing. Knight Rider is the main reason why I own a '82 Trans Am. I loved the show since I was 5 years of age and I still do. Michael Knight and KITT were my all time childhood heroes. I keep learning so many interesting things to learn about the show and the cars. Again, I really appreciate the hard work you guys have done so far. Thank you very much.
That was fantastic I really enjoyed that ,I bet you couldn't believe your luck finding such an icon in the scrap yard. You have done a fantastic job restoring KITT and looking forward to seeing what is done onn the 40th anniversary
You guys did an amazing job with this original kitt car. It got me so mad seeing how universal treated this piece of history to waste. Thankfully you guys restored to its rightful state. I’m enjoying all the videos and wanted to say thank you and keep making all these videos. I still geek out like I was that 5 year old seeing this show for the first time.
This is amazing, the amount of work it took to get KITT running again. It's sad to see our childhood memories be stored like that. I still remember being on the Universal tour in 94' and seeing the BTTF Delorean's being parked in the backlot (not the one they eventually put on the tour line itself years later, a few of them just in some back parking lot the tram happened to pass) and weren't exactly looking like movie magic. Great to see dedicated fans put their time back to restoring these treasures.
Neat to have the whole history, glad the historians saved it. There's a replica near Winnipeg here I saw at a car show a month ago, very well done to now that I know the details of the cars. Saw it today on the highway, looked neat with the scanner going. A black TA sure stands out next to all the ovoid jellybean mobiles on the road now. I think the black wheel covers are what set it off the most at a distance.
There is multiple replicas where I live (funny enough in the uk) but the most popular one I’ve seen is absolutely spot on to the one in the show. The guy also owns a 77 TA aswell, and a Delorean.
The work you guys do is simply amazing. It's awesome that the show so many of us loved as kids is alive and well in so many ways on your channel. It's beyond cool that you guys saved that car. Really appreciate the Knight Rider Historians.
Here in the uk 🇬🇧 we see all the great tv series that’s been filmed over the years from the USA 🇺🇸 and they must be Thousands of Props which just get thrown away which l bet people all over the world would like to own lts great to see you have got this car and restored it so everyone can enjoy it as it was thank you everyone great video stay safe 👏👏👍
Wow,, I'm in awwwh.. I had no idea it ended up in a junkyard. I do remember someone claiming to have the Knight Rider rims from an Original Knight Rider car and I remember them asking over $2000 with documentation. I'm so glad you got there in time to save it from the Crusher.. Glad you fixed it up and put it back to its glory days. I'm a huge lover of your channel and all you do.. I have my 1982 Pontiac Trans Am and trying to make a replica like yours.. hopefully one day..
Hey Joe, awesome video! So envious of the history of this car and your involvement in restoring it. Such a great piece of Knight Rider history preserved and a relief to see it in good hands. It was interesting to learn of the numbered scheme for these cars on call sheets for filming. I’m curious. Was there a glossary that defined what each numbered KITT showcased to know which car they’d need for a particular scene? For example what about car 1994 was necessary or special to assign it for a particular scene versus car 1198? How did the wranglers know what each car offered in distinguishing one from another? You’d think there’d be some sort of glossary or legend of sorts. Thanks!
the first Night Rider episode i saw was is in 1997 at three years old :) it was on our local channel TV3. loved the theme song and the car from the first moment i saw it :). that station still airs it on popular demand by the fans of the show.
The car looks too pristine in all of the final California shots, almost not the same car? Scanner was bowed down in the earlier pics... How did it transform? Was it some type of movie magic? It was glowing... It's finish like glass! Hard to believe it was just a little bit of bodywork and buffing... Anyway congrats, you did what most fans could only dream of!
I really want to know, how did it feel when you drove kitt again after so long since it had last driven? It's truly heartbreaking to see kitt left to rot for so long but that must have been such a special moment.
I wish studios had more foresight into the future and did not view their filming inventory as disposable throw away garbage. So many sets, props, vehicles, and wardrobe items from historic film and television were just thrown away after their productions ended. KITT #1994 was on his way to being just a another screen used piece lost to history. Thankfully you guys came to the rescue.
I’m going to do everything I can to go to the 40th anniversary southern knights Atlanta show with my replica. Just maybe 1994 will be there and make my dreams come true
Truly exciting to watch and learn of the history of the car and how it was brought back. (Just like how it was brought back in some of the episodes) Thanks for sharing.
This was a real treat on a Saturday early evening. I really like the black and gold colour scheme on the Firebird in the background when the saved Kitt was being reversed out of the garage. The narrator did a great job too. And somehow familiar (I think). Who is he? Please tell.
IT almost looks to be an 82 Recaro T/A missing it's black dish covers like KITT's but it could also be the factory Blk/Gld 84' T/A with the smaller black center caps removed. I can't seem to tell if there's the white letter RECARO on the door handle or not?
Wow!! An amazing video !!words can't express how awesome this is.Kudos Joe and A.J.for your saving this original screen used k.i.t.t. from (gulp)the salvage yard.because of you two 1994 will be seen by many and I am looking forward to see your future plans.The Jay Leno appearance and good morning America were great and hopefully there will be many more chapters to come in this cars history.Thanks so much for sharing this with us!!😀😀😀👍👍👍
All that trouble baking a cake for KITT, and they couldn't bother making it screen accurate. Wire wheels on the cake? Where did KITT wear those? LOL. Thanks for the video and sharing your rare car with us.
Im a huge Knight Rider fan. such a beautiful car. Nothing like it to this day!! Thank you for the video!
I love it! I might have even sat in this very car as a kid at Universal while it was on display. Great work on saving it from destruction! I can't wait to get my replica done...
Really great that this car has been saved and restored to this very good condition!
I know u hear it all the time probably, but it’s truly amazing seeing kitt restored and seeing the history being told behind the cars and show.. amazing job! Especially this documentary.. thank u for what u do and for sharing with the rest of us fans!!
Great job, gentlemen! The entire history of the car, fragments of which could be seen on the Internet, is collected in one film. You've done a very good job of saving this important part of my childhood. I am touched! Thank you with all my heart!
_Thank you_ for everything you guys have done to save these two cars. I’m sure I speak for every child of the 80s around the world who felt KITT was his best friend once a week, when I say how much it means to us and our childhoods.
What a tremendous journey it has been indeed!! Thank you KRH for preserving one of the most beloved car superstars in history!! I can only imagine how David Hasselhoff must have felt getting reunited with THE K.I.T.T. after like 20 years. I’m happy for you Joe for having experienced these things…your heart must’ve been in S.P.M. lol!! :-)
Thanks for sharing the history of this screen used car. It's great to see that some of these wonderful cars are getting much needed love and attention.
Seeing the state the car was in when you acquired it and the work of art it is today,just goes to show it couldn't be in better hands. So glad you guys got to it when you did and preserved/restored this piece of TV history.
I think I speak for everybody when I say "Thank You Knight Rider Historians"
agree with Necromancer
totally agreed
That was Fantastic! Awesome job bros, that was so close to the crusher for practically no reason!
Great video! Coming up on the 10th anniversary of KITT’s arrival in PA this week, good timing too.
I possibly sat in the car back in 1989 at Universal Studios. I remember talking with it and being blown away! So rad!
Sorry I have not been on... I hurt my leg and with the weather changing.. I have been on the down... I have not forgotten you... You do the best work in preserving this show and the props...
For me a very emotional video. It's amazing what this car went through. Nice that you take care of K.I.T.T. now. Thank you very much.
I got to sit in a KITT car in 1986 at the World of Wheels car show in Pittsburgh. The picture taken at that time is somewhere sitting in a box.
I remember seeing one of the display cars as a kid. They had the voice actor too. It was pretty fun.
I never understood the odd Universal Studio display setup, with the front of the car hanging over water (it's not like KITT was always going amphibious), leaving people unable to get a good look at the front of it - and it just dawned on me, perhaps that was all to keep people from trying to steal the scanner?
There was also no mention of the swapping in of vinyl seats since they, um, "weathered" the crowd better :)
I am really glad you found k.i.t.t. 1994.thats cool.
Awsome attention grabbing and superbe documentary history of this car.i sat in this car in 1990 at universal studios.took a pic in it.and long behold the display kitt you showing brought lots of good memories.what a privilege thet was.thank you for this.
Awesome documentary guys ! I really enjoyed watching this !
Very cool piece of knight rider history!!!
I have a polaroid of my larval self sitting in the KITT displayed at Universal Studios, but it was in November of '84, so not the car featured here.
We would still love to see a high resolution scan of it! knightriderhistorians@gmail.com
that was a shame how it was left to rot thank god we got the historians to put the car back to loving glory i think all the kitts should of been saved karr would be nice next to your kitt
What about the history of the other screen used kitt that’s in the museum? Great video
Awesome video, thank u so much for saving this car. Hopefully sometime soon I will be able to see the car and tell both of you, thank you in person.
I am glad too see your guys repair it to the formy glory 😎 Its was my favorit car on the Tv in the 80s 😎
Seeing those kids sitting in K.I.T.T. reminded me when I was younger. My stepfather took me to a car show in Washington DC and their was K.I.T.T. I have a picture of myself at 14 years old (I think) sitting in that car. I remember looking at the dash board and seeing the dual TV's on the right. I also remember reaching to press the turbo boost button before being pulled away. lol
I like KITT, Greetings from Estonia
Love the Don Peake Mouth of the Snake music at the beginning.
Oh my God. I saw this car at expo 88 in Brisbane.
Do you have any photos? Knightriderhistorians@gmail.com
@@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial unfortunately not.
Very very Good History , But tell us more about of your Frend ORIGINAL Knight Rider car the 1st of 1982 History of his car , haw he faind it end his Restoraishon story will be so nice !!
LOVE your page!!!
xoxo The Clarences
Eep!!!!! I am from Brisbane and went to Expo 88 A TON!!! I think/hope I have a picture somewhere of K.I.T.T. because we saw him there many times!!!!!!
wow that was awesome information and fantastic video 😎😎😎
Outstanding!
Always great videos! Thanks a lot for this stuff. Greetings from germany from a big fan of your work.
Highlight of the channel 🤗
Wow!! That was so killer to watch! A piece of History for sure! :)
So great!
I'm just catching up with your channel and I am sorta local to you, I would love to come see kitt at a local event . I'm in the new Stanton area just off of the turnpike.
Did someone voicing KITT at Universal Studios become famous?
Hi cool video.thanks,love and peace
Great video and lots of awesome history I love this car and everything it stands for I'm curious is it ever going to make an appearance here in Texas?
Maybe get david hasselhoff,s autograph and get him to sign a part of the car too
What did you think of knight rider 2008
wow this is so nice to see one that was on the show. but guess a lot of cars ues on tv shows take a bit of toll.
So if 1994 was built into KITT in the summer of 1984 and was the 2nd to last car built, was the last car built the V6 that George Barris bought himself to make the convertible KITT for season 4? IIRC all the other special cars for SPM were made from existing cars (the JYD car for the transformation car etc), so it seems likely that the convertible was car # 1995.
The best classic. 😎
26:50 KITT LIVES!
I know where the tower that was used in expo is, and not much diff inside as to when used in expo for kitt
We would love to hear more! Knightriderhistorians@gmail.com
31:42 eso quiere decir que tu eres el propietario del auto????😮😮
Could you explain something to me? At 4:24 it's said that this car is a non t-top one, and at 5:51 it says that the t-top was simulated by riveted metal strips - but the later photos show it to have a t-top?
This car after the show ended in 1987 was converted by Universal to the T-tops
I hope I get to see K.I.T.T. some day!
This is beautiful. It made me so angry at the level of negligence the studio gave this amazing piece of machinery that provided so much in their service. God bless you for salvaging one of my favorite characters from the 80s.
1994 probably has more personal contact with women than David to this day. I think I was passing through north of Vegas in 2010 and saw your property not knowing it was KITT. The trailer and tarp wrap definitely looks familiar.
The ideas did predict the future in part: screens inside a car, keyless entry, navigation, scanners of sorts, runflat tyres. You can even talk to your watch now.
Outstanding story. So awesome that you guys were able to save it from the junkyard. That’s a rarity because most junkyards refuse to sell vehicles as a whole.
Hey Joe, at 11:17 after discussing with my wife, I can confirm that on the left side of the screen that she is standing there next to her brother in the line to hop into KITT. I was also there and can only surmise that I am further to the left off camera as well. You can see a partly red piece of clothing and I believe that was me with my jumper on. You can see this jumper in the photos I have sent you previously. I am astonished to see we were there the day this photo was taken. 💖
That is crazy!
@@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial I thought so too lol
Thanks for sharing. I know it's show business, but I find it impossible to believe that the studio was just going to destroy or leave the show cars to rot away. Also, the latest Hot Wheels game has KITT in game, and also sounds like they have screen accurate SFX while racing. Hot Wheels Unleashed.
It was sad to see the car in that condition. So glad it was saved for future generations to enjoy. 👌👍
I'm so glad that K.I.T.T. 1994 got a new life and such a happy ending. After making all that money for Universal and they couldn't even be bothered to cover him over. That's gratitude for you. He is now loved and appreciated and definitely belongs with you guys. I'm pleased he has found the right home at last.😀👍🏁
Love the history you guys keep sharing about these cars, I’m still blown away that that’s the car I sat in as a kid in 88 in brizvegas expo88.
Thanks guys…👍👍👍
Do you have any photos from Expo 88? knightriderhistorians@gmail.com
Knight Rider was a big part of my youth great story how 1994 was saved and brought back how it was on the show
Big thanks for sharing this! Much respect for the lengths you guys have went to save this car!!!
Out of most of the episodes, I find this one of the best ones just explaining how this car began it’s life in the Knight Rider series up to almost destroyed and again finding new life, job well done on the story guys 👍🏾👍🏾
Excellent work. I am so glad you recovered and preserved the car. And about those public appearances - you think that maybe you could bring it down here to Florida? I'd love a chance to see it in person.
Funny story to tell about KITT and Knight Rider. I was born in 1974 and a majority of my childhood and early teenage years all took place in the 1980’s. So I am definitely an 80’s kid for sure.
With Knight Rider, I used to absolutely love that show and ever since the very first episode came out, I’ve always wanted to own a pristine Knight Rider KITT car myself. And to this day, that still has not ever changed and is something that is definitely on my “to do” bucket list before I do, assuming that I also get rich some day.
Growing up, when GM switched the Camaro, Firebird and Trans Am’s to the 80’s body style that we all remembered both of my parents fell in love with those cars. Our very first Camaro was a 1982 red t-top Camaro that had a 4 cylinder engine and either a 4 or 5 speed manual transmission. I can’t remember which one exactly for sure though because I was only 8 years old when my parents bought the car and they only owned it for 2 years. That Camaro though had the same exact rims that KITT did but without the black center piece that was specific to just KITT. But the rims on my parents Camaro were silver/metal in color and not black. Because the car only had a 4 cylinder engine in it, the car was totally gutless and couldn’t get out of its own way even if it had wanted too. As a result, in 1984 my parents upgraded Camaro’s.
On Halloween night in 1984, (I remember this because 10 year old me got robbed from being able to go out trick or treating with all of my friends because my parents and I were at the car dealership buying the new car.) but that night they traded in the gutless 1982 red Camaro for a fully loaded 1984 Z28 Camaro that was black with gold trim and tan interior that also hat t-tops as well but this one had a 350 V-8 and 5 speed manual transmission. This car would end up being my baby though and I had planned on owning it when I turned 16 and was going to turn it into a Camaro version of KITT because it was black, it had t-tops and the same color tan interior. When I turned 12 my Dad started teaching me how to drive in that car and I fell in love with it.
Then in 1987, my parents traded it in for a 1987 Iroc Z28 Camaro that it too was fully loaded, had t-tops as well as a 350 V-8 with this new technology called fuel injection instead of the car being carbureted. The fuel injection was called “Tune Port Injected” or at least that was what one of the stickers on the car said. This car was metallic blue and was definitely a looker. But it was an automatic. And boy was I ever pissed! I fell in love with driving stick and now the car that I learned how to drive in and that I wanted to turn into the Camaro version of KITT was gone. Or so I thought…
After my parents bought the Iroc Z28 we all went on vacation. During this time the dealer tried calling our house but we were gone. They tried telling my parents that the financing fell through but the only way to keep the car was to redo the deal at a higher interest rate. In reality, there was never anything wrong. The dealership just wanted to get more money out of my parents. They told them to pound sand and said that they already had signed paperwork of the agreement. In the end my parents could have fought the dealership and won but decided to give them the Iroc back and get the 84’ Z28 back under the condition that the dealership pay GM for 2 months worth of payments and any late fees occurred. The dealership was then super pissed when they saw that the Iroc had about 5,000 miles put on it in 3 weeks time. My parents told them that they were on vacation and were under the belief they owned the car and had every right to put however many miles that they wanted too on the car. The dealership knew they were then going to lose a ton of money on trying to sell the car again, lose my parents as long time customers of the dealership and all of our very large families businesses as well over trying to squeeze an extra 1% to 2% on the interest rate. Oh well, sucks to be them!
Then in 1989, tragedy struck. One of my Dad’s cousins had a massive heart attack and died. He and his wife and just bought 2 months prior to his death a brand spanking new, fully loaded 1989 Pontiac Formula Firebird. It was black, fully loaded with t-tops and had every option on it. The widow of my Dads cousin thought she would be unable to make the payments on the car so my parents offered to buy it off of her to which she agreed. But because my parents did not want 2 car payments they sold my beloved 84’ Z28 to a co worker at the bank that my Mom worked at. The lady who bought the car was the adopted Mom of Olympic diver, Gred Louganis. Literally the day after she bought our car and my parents getting ready to get the Firebirds loan switched over to them the widow of my Dads cousin decided that she wanted the car back. And since the car was still in her name there was nothing that my parents could do. This then left them without a car.
My parents then went and bought a fully loaded 1989 RS Camaro. It only had a 305 V-8 though but did have a 5 speed manual. My Dad made the dealership put silver/metal looking factory rims on the car though because GM was putting painted rims to match the cars at the time and they looked really stupid! We had that car up until I think 1997 or somewhere around there and I had a lot of great memories in that car.
With all of our Camaros throughout the 80’s, and being very familiar with the interior and dash I always wondered where KITT’s voice box was located at? For some reason on the close up shots filmed on the voice box from anytime that KITT talked, I always thought that it was located down by where the stereo would be and not on the center instrument cluster where is actually is. Even to this day, and even though I now know where it is actually located at on those cars my mind still wants to picture it as being down by the stereo location for some reason?
Anyway, thank you for this TH-cam channel and giving me the ability to re live my childhood once again and for keeping a few of the Knight Rider vehicles back to original condition all over again. You guys rock and this is very quickly becoming one of my most favorite TH-cam channels to watch!
What a fascinating story! All this time, I never realized that the car was in a really terrible condition after the show ended. But, I am thankful that you took all the time and effort to restore this car to its former glory. If KITT was actually real, I think he would say :
"After what I've been through, a little publicity might help reinforce my self image." - Junk Yard Dog (Season 3, Episode 14)
Also, I would love to see this car for real and maybe take it for a test drive someday.
Thank you very much, Knight Rider Historians. You all never cease to amaze me. ❤️❤️❤️
It was the same with the General Lee in the Dukes of Hazzard. There were a lot of them.
Awesome documentary! I have an old polaroid I took from the Universal tour that's almost an exact match for the one at 7:03, and that I've treasured forever.
We would love to see it! Knightriderhistorians@gmail.com
I suppose it's extra neat that this car was not only used in the show, and even Hasselhoff drove it some, but later also hundreds if not thousands of fans got to experience it too. So it's like both Hollywood and the fans had contact with it. So glad you saved it from destruction
Was scrolling through my usual knight rider search and found this. Had to play it on my television. I was glued to my tv. Loved this documentary. I even had most of the pictures I've saved from the knight rider online message board from decades ago when it was in its filthiest and trashed form. Loved the part of the car getting restored the most.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Marvelous documentary. I appreciate the efforts you guys have done and are still doing. Knight Rider is the main reason why I own a '82 Trans Am. I loved the show since I was 5 years of age and I still do. Michael Knight and KITT were my all time childhood heroes. I keep learning so many interesting things to learn about the show and the cars. Again, I really appreciate the hard work you guys have done so far. Thank you very much.
The best thing about knight rider is it’s rewatchability at any age.
I plan on buying one one day too.
That was fantastic I really enjoyed that ,I bet you couldn't believe your luck finding such an icon in the scrap yard.
You have done a fantastic job restoring KITT and looking forward to seeing what is done onn the 40th anniversary
You guys did an amazing job with this original kitt car. It got me so mad seeing how universal treated this piece of history to waste. Thankfully you guys restored to its rightful state. I’m enjoying all the videos and wanted to say thank you and keep making all these videos. I still geek out like I was that 5 year old seeing this show for the first time.
I have no idea how you keep thinking of new content, but I absolutely loved this.
It isn't easy!!!
This is amazing, the amount of work it took to get KITT running again. It's sad to see our childhood memories be stored like that. I still remember being on the Universal tour in 94' and seeing the BTTF Delorean's being parked in the backlot (not the one they eventually put on the tour line itself years later, a few of them just in some back parking lot the tram happened to pass) and weren't exactly looking like movie magic. Great to see dedicated fans put their time back to restoring these treasures.
thank you joe for preserving this car for the future!
Been waiting for this since forever. Thank you so much guys. I'm looking forward to a similar video on your other screen used KITT.
The car being rescued literally from the junk yard seems like divine providence. So glad it gets to live the cream puff retirement life. 😁
Neat to have the whole history, glad the historians saved it. There's a replica near Winnipeg here I saw at a car show a month ago, very well done to now that I know the details of the cars. Saw it today on the highway, looked neat with the scanner going. A black TA sure stands out next to all the ovoid jellybean mobiles on the road now. I think the black wheel covers are what set it off the most at a distance.
There is multiple replicas where I live (funny enough in the uk) but the most popular one I’ve seen is absolutely spot on to the one in the show.
The guy also owns a 77 TA aswell, and a Delorean.
@@isaacsrandomvideos667 That's cool.
The work you guys do is simply amazing. It's awesome that the show so many of us loved as kids is alive and well in so many ways on your channel. It's beyond cool that you guys saved that car. Really appreciate the Knight Rider Historians.
Here in the uk 🇬🇧 we see all the great tv series that’s been filmed over the years from the USA 🇺🇸 and they must be Thousands of Props which just get thrown away which l bet people all over the world would like to own lts great to see you have got this car and restored it so everyone can enjoy it as it was thank you everyone great video stay safe 👏👏👍
Wow,, I'm in awwwh.. I had no idea it ended up in a junkyard. I do remember someone claiming to have the Knight Rider rims from an Original Knight Rider car and I remember them asking over $2000 with documentation. I'm so glad you got there in time to save it from the Crusher.. Glad you fixed it up and put it back to its glory days. I'm a huge lover of your channel and all you do.. I have my 1982 Pontiac Trans Am and trying to make a replica like yours.. hopefully one day..
Wonderful episode Joe and AJ!! It is an absolute disgrace to leave such a fine piece of Television History to rot!!
An excellent job well done Joe.
Did you get David Hasselhoff to autograph the car like an interior panel ?
Nope, we don’t believe in having props signed
@@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial
That's fair enough👍
Love the channel Joe 😎, keep the videos coming.
All the very best from across the pond.🤗
Hey Joe, awesome video! So envious of the history of this car and your involvement in restoring it. Such a great piece of Knight Rider history preserved and a relief to see it in good hands.
It was interesting to learn of the numbered scheme for these cars on call sheets for filming. I’m curious. Was there a glossary that defined what each numbered KITT showcased to know which car they’d need for a particular scene? For example what about car 1994 was necessary or special to assign it for a particular scene versus car 1198? How did the wranglers know what each car offered in distinguishing one from another? You’d think there’d be some sort of glossary or legend of sorts. Thanks!
the first Night Rider episode i saw was is in 1997 at three years old :) it was on our local channel TV3. loved the theme song and the car from the first moment i saw it :). that station still airs it on popular demand by the fans of the show.
The car looks too pristine in all of the final California shots, almost not the same car? Scanner was bowed down in the earlier pics... How did it transform? Was it some type of movie magic? It was glowing... It's finish like glass! Hard to believe it was just a little bit of bodywork and buffing... Anyway congrats, you did what most fans could only dream of!
Bravo guys. Just utterly fascinating to see and learn at what this car has gone over the years 👍👍
I really want to know, how did it feel when you drove kitt again after so long since it had last driven? It's truly heartbreaking to see kitt left to rot for so long but that must have been such a special moment.
It was incredible! The car isn't driven on public roads but to drive it even a little bit was amazing!
I wish studios had more foresight into the future and did not view their filming inventory as disposable throw away garbage. So many sets, props, vehicles, and wardrobe items from historic film and television were just thrown away after their productions ended. KITT #1994 was on his way to being just a another screen used piece lost to history. Thankfully you guys came to the rescue.
I’m going to do everything I can to go to the 40th anniversary southern knights Atlanta show with my replica. Just maybe 1994 will be there and make my dreams come true
I love how you restored KITT back !!!!
Truly exciting to watch and learn of the history of the car and how it was brought back. (Just like how it was brought back in some of the episodes) Thanks for sharing.
This was a real treat on a Saturday early evening.
I really like the black and gold colour scheme on the Firebird in the background when the saved Kitt was being reversed out of the garage.
The narrator did a great job too. And somehow familiar (I think). Who is he? Please tell.
Just a guy we hired to do voice-over work....no one famous!
@@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial I don’t know about that, he sounds very familiar?
IT almost looks to be an 82 Recaro T/A missing it's black dish covers like KITT's but it could also be the factory Blk/Gld 84' T/A with the smaller black center caps removed. I can't seem to tell if there's the white letter RECARO on the door handle or not?
So grateful you guys are saving iconic history!
Wow!! An amazing video !!words can't express how awesome this is.Kudos Joe and A.J.for your saving this original screen used k.i.t.t. from (gulp)the salvage yard.because of you two 1994 will be seen by many and I am looking forward to see your future plans.The Jay Leno appearance and good morning America were great and hopefully there will be many more chapters to come in this cars history.Thanks so much for sharing this with us!!😀😀😀👍👍👍
WOW. Just wow. Hats off to you for all the work you've done. I just can't believe what happened to 1994.
All that trouble baking a cake for KITT, and they couldn't bother making it screen accurate. Wire wheels on the cake? Where did KITT wear those? LOL. Thanks for the video and sharing your rare car with us.
Thank you knight rider historians! For saving this iconic car! Love your work that you guys do to collect and save vehicles and props! In the series