Filed under: Time Warp, Auction Action, Supercars, Pontiac, Celebrities
eBay Find of the Day: Original KITT... with flaps!
Click above for gallery of KITT from his eBay listing
If news of Knight Rider's return has you feeling giddy as a schoolgirl (along with dozens of other viewers), maybe you're upset that they swapped the original Pontiac Trans Ams for a Shelby GT500KR in the new series. Whatever your stand, we have something that might interest you. While perusing eBay's listings, a reader stumbled upon one of the original Trans Ams used in the 1980's chapter of the Knight Rider saga. Up for auction is one 1984 Pontiac Trans Am, black and tan, with a distinctive red light bar in the nose. Yep, one genuine KITT.
Not only was this one of the featured cars in seasons three and four, but it is one of the rare 300-mph "Super Pursuit Mode" T/As with additional aero devices designed to, well, make the car look like it could go faster. Actually, the eBay description tells us the Super Pursuit Mode KITT was designed "to give KITT a 40% increase in speed through the assistance of retractable airfoils and jet boosters." Considering that this Trans Am still features a 5.0L V8 and automatic transmission, we would guess that half of that top speed is actually a stretch for this old Pontiac.
Still, with a starting price of just $26,000, the winning bidder can own a true piece of small-screen history. Kustomized by legendary Kar stylist George Barris, this particular car was also used in the 2006 flick, The Benchwarmers. In one notable scene, John Lovitz confesses that he has yet to master the peel out as he drove it across a curb outside the Pizza Hut. Ouch. Hopefully that buffed right out. Check out eBay for the complete description and place your bid. Thanks for the tip, Vivan!
Gallery: Super Pursuit Mode KITT
[Source: eBay]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Menice 2:14PM (6/13/2008)
from a distance, it looks like someone hit it with a bat but
I'd buy it just to have that dash though......like driving a jet fighter.
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Menice 2:16PM (6/13/2008)
ok wait whats up in pic 26?
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/super-pursuit-mode-kitt/860822/
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Jon 2:30PM (6/13/2008)
Try this: it is cheaper
http://www.knightreplicas.com/interior_parts_for_kitt_and_ka.html#dash
Menice 2:38PM (6/13/2008)
holy wow... lighted gas pedals ftw. light from bottom up as you depress the pedal. hahah.
Rob 2:16PM (6/13/2008)
Does it talk?
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al 2:20PM (6/13/2008)
Wow, looking at machine makes me realize how the human race has come a long way since the 80's.
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MajorGeek 2:24PM (6/13/2008)
That car.... my mullett..... good times.
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Lopez 2:26PM (6/13/2008)
Interesting... IIRC, the other "real" KITT cars used for filming did not have the interior converted to the TV version of the dash - that was only in (I don't remember how many) special cars used for close-up shots. Since KITT didn't go into "super pursuit" mode unless it was moving, I wonder if this car is just different or if the dash was added afterward.
Someone on one of the Knight Rider fan boards probably knows if it's 100% genuine...
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Lopez 2:29PM (6/13/2008)
okay - didn't RTFA before posting. Now I did. Says the car was used in promotional events after it was used for filming, so it makes sense the whole thing was dressed up then.
Yar 2:34PM (6/13/2008)
Slow news day...
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AngeloD 2:37PM (6/13/2008)
GM needs to pull their head out and give Pontiac a Firebird Trans Am version of the new camaro.
We want our screaming chicken hood graphics back (seriously).
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Miles 2:41PM (6/13/2008)
Folks, this is not an "Original" KITT. This car was in fact a quick- mock up done by Barris's shop a few years back for promotional purposes and a few television/movie spots.. It was featured in the Benchwarmers movie, and Nick & Jessica Variety Hour show. I also think it showed up in the infamous episode of America's Got Talent. Many incorrect aspects. its a horrible example and does not do justice to the original car's beauty. Consider these INCORRECT aspects:
The Tail light assembly is not Correct - The Original SPM Kitt had Red multi-circle lenses, not what resembles small circular metal pipes scattered all over (!) .*NO* tacky spoiler (that looks like its a trunk spoiler!) grafted on the front fascia extension that this car has. A much higher quality scanner light assembly that does not have visable segments (and is not a cheap, straight bar like this car, but is instead angled appropriately). The blackout portion of the rear does NOT have the words "Knight Rider" written on it, nor is it supposed to have those tacky red reflectiors on the sides, - Yuk! I'll provide a link to some pics soon, to prove this!.. This car is a shame and i don't know why anybody would want it. Its not one of the KITT's used on the series - they were essentially all destroyed per Unversal Studio's orders back in the late 80's.
This car also has no MPH guages in the dash. KITT did not have a T-handled shifter, should be round with a flat top/button.
The original car did not have raised-white-letter tires.
The Super Pursuit panels that extend from the car should have a unpainted/grey background to them, whereas on this car, its painted black.
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Travis 3:11PM (6/13/2008)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=407lo1iIZHI
Rocketboy 3:19PM (6/13/2008)
Another vid...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=407lo1iIZHI&feature=related
Thanks for the info, I knew something was odd, this car looks like carp.
havoc 2:44PM (6/13/2008)
Joey Fatone will prob buy it and put it next to his other KITT.
if i had the extra cash, i would so rock that car, imagine dropping the kids off at school while in pursuit mode!
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DCragtop 2:45PM (6/13/2008)
WORST EPISODE EVER.
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Jason 3:26PM (6/13/2008)
FAKE
Here's what the *real* SPM Kitt.
http://www.jlanghout.nl/Knight%20Rider%201.htm
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Benfolio 3:35PM (6/13/2008)
Thank you.
I hope this auction dies a slow and horrible death.
Charlie J 5:03PM (6/13/2008)
very fake. Not even close to the real super pursuit mode KITT. i mean for christs sake it has a spoiler screwed onto the front. very very BAD recreation.
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StinkyPete 5:25PM (6/13/2008)
May the Hoff bring divine retribution upon this defiler of the good name KITT.
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