Autoblog

SEMA 2009: Breaker, breaker, we got ourselves a Bandit

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:38:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance, Pontiac

Kevin Morgan Phoenix Trans Am Concept 2 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Last year in Las Vegas, graphic designer Kevin Morgan showed off the first Trans Am rebody of the new Camaro at SEMA 2008. This year he is back with T/A version 2.0 for SEMA 2009. While the original "Phoenix" T/A 1.0 had the Bandit color combo we know and love, a few of the details were off in making it a true '77-'78 Trans Am redo.

For this year's show he's rectified that situation with a new quad-headlight front fascia and a few other changes that bring it more in line with the uber Firebirds we remember from our misspent youths. Slip into one of these black and gold Trans Ams and before you know it you'll be East Bound and Down, calling for the Snowman on your CB to help you stay one step ahead of Smokey. Built in conjunction with fabricator Todd Otto, one-off versions can be ordered to spec, and a kit version will also be made available through Trans Am Depot starting in early 2010.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Kevin Morgan Trans-Am Concept

SEMA 2009: Breaker, breaker, we got ourselves a Bandit originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Lingenfelter 455 T/A Concept really is badass

Alex Nunez — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:07:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Pontiac

Lingenfelter 455 T/A Concept - See more images at Car and Driver

Car and Driver is the first outlet to post real live photos of the SEMA-bound Lingenfelter 455 T/A Concept. By taking the looks of the '70 Trans Am and adapting them to the new Chevrolet Camaro, Lingenfelter has created something that will have you playing "What if.." scenarios regarding Pontiac over and over again in your heads. Imagine a world in which you could walk into a General Motors dealer and pick between this and the G8 GXP...

Anyway, snap out of it, because that ain't happenin'. We think what's likely to happen, if people go as batsh*t crazy over this creation at SEMA as we think they will, is that Lingenfelter will probably offer the package to customers. That's probably good, anyway, as we can't see GM spending the bucks to offer the 455 T/A's upgraded interior (yeah, it's premium vinyl, baby) and monstrously-upgraded engine. See, that 455 nomenclature's no joke. According to C/D, the 455 CID/7.5-liter V8 rocks an 11.5:1 compression ratio, ported and polished LS7 heads, a new intake and a forged crankshaft. The exhaust is by Corsa, the honeycomb wheels are custom jobs, and most importantly, the engine comes correct with 655 horses and 610 lb-ft. of torque. We'll have plenty more on this bad mofo next week from SEMA. In the meantime, head over to CarandDriver.com for more images.

[Source: Car and Driver via Camaro5 | Image: Patrick M. Hoey]

The Lingenfelter 455 T/A Concept really is badass originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Reborn Trans Am makes fire-breathing entrance in Dayton

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet, Pontiac

Kevin Morgan Pontiac Trans Am - Click above to watch two videos after the break

Few Pontiac models will be missed by as many people as the Trans Am. From its humble origins in 1969 as an option package on the two-year-old Firebird platform through the Super Duty days and the Bandit Special Editions, right on up to the final Ram Air LS1-powered F-Bodies from 2002, Pontiac's longest-lived muscle car has always enjoyed a loyal following.

So dedicated are these Poncho fanatics that the Trans Am name seems destined to live on past the death of the brand that originally spawned it. We've taken a look at Kevin Morgan's Phoenix TA revival once already, and now the first such Camaro-based machine has been driven off the car carrier in front of a few hundred screaming ~~chickens~~ fans at last weekend's 25th Anniversary Trans Am Nationals in Dayton, Ohio.

Perhaps fittingly, this initial 'bird was painted up in a classic black and gold paint scheme complete with a fire-breathing hood applique and a split front beak reminiscent of the 1977 and 1978 Trans Ams. Naturally, there's a shaker scoop mounted atop the quivering hood feeding fresh air into what we assume is a stock LS3 6.2-liter V8 putting out 426 horsepower. The only things that are missing are T-Tops and a CB radio. Well, that, and a young Sally Field. Click past the break to watch the video.

Gallery: Phoenix Trans Am

[Source: Youtube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Reborn Trans Am makes fire-breathing entrance in Dayton

VIDEO: Reborn Trans Am makes fire-breathing entrance in Dayton originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Confirmed: "Phoenix" Trans Am conversion kit coming for Camaro

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Pontiac

Kevin Morgan Pontiac Trans Am Renderings - Click above for high-res image gallery

So... as of January 1, 2010, Pontiac is dead. Buried. Gone forever. No more. Obviously, something as pesky as death ain't going to stop hard core Trans Am fanatics from driving an (almost) honest to goodness 2010 Pontiac Trans Am and/or Firebird. Why? If you have to ask... you bring up a good point. Especially because when you get right down to it, the Trans Am was rarely anything other than a Chevy Camaro with different sheet metal.

Keeping that in mind, Trans Am Depot will be offering body kits that will transform (lowly) Camaros into full-on screamin' chicken Trans Ams! Based off Kevin Morgan's original design(s), the Phoenix Trans Am kits will be unveiled at the 2009 Trans Am Nationals. And then you'll have the chance to own a Trans Am that costs more than a Camaro but is just as fast. Hey - just sayin'. Fully detailed press release after the jump.

Gallery: Phoenix Trans Am

[Source: Trans Am Depot | Kevin Morgan Designs via Jalopnik]

Continue reading Confirmed: "Phoenix" Trans Am conversion kit coming for Camaro

Confirmed: "Phoenix" Trans Am conversion kit coming for Camaro originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SEMA 2008: K.I.T.T. helps sell Knight Rider GPS for Mio

Frank Filipponio — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:20:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Gadgets, SEMA Show, Classics, Performance, Pontiac, Celebrities, Specialty

Click above for high-res gallery of K.I.T.T. and the Mio GPS

There were a lot of movie and TV-themed vehicles at SEMA this year, but one of our favorite entertainment tie-ins had to be the Mio Knight Rider GPS system. We told you about this way back in June, played with it when the new K.I.T.T. visited the Autoblog Garage, and messed with it some more in Vegas. It sounds exactly like you'd hope it would. "Michael, you're going the wrong way, you ninny," isn't in the regular playlist, but it did have some attitude. Even better than laying hands on the Mio, however, was the fact that K.I.T.T. ( no, not the Mustang) was actually in the Mio booth selling the product. It was almost too much to handle. As we told you in June, the Mio Knight Rider GPS unit uses the voice the one-and-only William Daniels, the original voice of K.I.T.T., and asks cordially "Hello Michael, where do you want to go today?" when powered up. The 4.3-inch LCD display is also flanked by a series of red LEDs reminiscent of K.I.T.T.'s nose-mounted lights. It's available for sale now at about $270.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: K.I.T.T. helps sell GPS systems

SEMA 2008: K.I.T.T. helps sell Knight Rider GPS for Mio originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Autoblog Podcast #87

Dan Roth — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Podcasts, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Truck, Crossover, Acura, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GM, Suzuki, Volkswagen, India

The Chicago Auto Show wasn't that eventful, but that's what we lead off Autoblog Podcast episode #87 with. The Challenger was the biggest deal, followed by the Denali XT, and then a bunch of inconsequential things. We did find ourselves talking about the Suzuki Equator and the Ford Transit Connect, too. We give you our first up close and personal impressions of the Challenger SRT-8 in this podcast. We also saw the VW Routan, which certainly doesn't conjure warm, fuzzy memories of Type IIs gone by. Chevy's Traverse calls into question the usefulness of Saturn's Outlook in the product lineup. Speaking of GM badge-engineering, we got word this week that Pontiac will not be getting a Trans Am companion to the Camaro, dang. Another disappointment is the rumor that Cerberus is going to let the Viper run down without rewinding the clock for a third generation. We wrap up by touching on the possibility that an Indian pickup could be the first diesel hybrid in the US, even though it's not even being imported yet, and we're sure that when it gets here, it'll generate even more hate than the new Acura RL. 42 minutes, that's it. Sorry it's a little late this week, it's all Alex's fault, I swear.

SUBSCRIBE to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
LISTEN to the show now
ADD the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator

Autoblog Podcast #87 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Catch "Travolta Fever" on eBay

Dan Roth — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 10:07:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Auctions, Pontiac

By buying this (garishly) customized Firebird, you're really purchasing a way of life. Inexplicably listed as a 1971, when it's clearly about a decade newer, this car is your ticket to a full-on star shrine. You get the car, a trunkful of memorabilia and knicknacks, even a domain name (travoltafever.com). The car itself was built in 1979 by George Barris, and it encapsulates some of the pop culture ethos of the late 1970s. The interior has a manly theme inspired by Urban Cowboy, though when we set our gaze upon it, all we could think was Brokeback Mountain. Nevertheless, it's certainly better than the stock Poncho interior was. The exterior has been flared in an odd way, endowed with a large spoiler, and painted in the fashion of the time. The car is actually named "Travolta Fever," so says the hood. How awesome, you could have a Firebird named after the same virus that inspired Travolta to release a double album.

All snarkiness aside, it's a cool piece of Kustom Kar history, which is inextricably linked with a well known Hollywood star. Star value always inflates car prices, for better or worse. This one comes with a collection of other memorabilia, as well, and looks to be in good shape. There's no telling whether it will truly appreciate in value, but $25,000 isn't that outrageous for a car with a known celebrity link that comes with all kinds of extra stuff. Some of that stuff includes a Revell scale model kit, a copy of the "Travolta Fever" double LP, and various other pieces signed by George Barris. You're guaranteed to draw a crowd at your local car show with this thing, even if you're parked next to a Bandit Trans Am.

Catch "Travolta Fever" on eBay originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Nov 2007 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Goat or Chicken: Will 2010 Pontiac be a Firebird or GTO?

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Pontiac

We visited this issue in February, when Winding Road speculated Pontiac would get a Camaro spinoff, but now Car and Driver is weighing in. With the imminent return of the Chevy Camaro, many Poncho fans have wondered about a possible return of the screaming chicken, as well. Pontiac's last attempt at reviving a storied model (GTO) met with mixed results. The GTO was supposed to be a slam dunk for Pontiac. Take an existing rear drive muscular platform, add a few Pontiac trim pieces and a GTO badge, and voilà, instant success. Well, it didn't quite go as planned and GTO sales were rather tepid. Not that it wasn't a good car, especially in 6.0 form, but it didn't really set hearts aflutter, especially compared to the wildly successful retro Mustang.

So will Pontiac get a new GTO, or maybe a Firebird instead? With the G8 coming to replace the Bonneville and Grand Prix, a suitable RWD platform is already approved for US consumption. And of course, it's also underpinning that hot new Camaro. So if Pontiac gets a new muscle coupe, will it show up as a goat or a chicken? That's what Car and Driver asked Pontiac. After a long silence, C and D finally got some answers. Surprisingly, they seem to point towards a new GTO. They based this on Bob Lutz's own words: "No carbon copy of the Camaro will make it into any other GM-brand showroom" is how they put it. They also point out that while a Firebird would have to be essentially the same as a Camaro, a GTO from the same platform could be bigger and different enough to claim its own place in the market, maybe more of a G8 coupe. Whichever badge this future Pontiac sport coupe wears, it should get the same 261-hp 3.6-liter DOHC V-6 or 362-hp LS2 6.0-liter V-8 options as the G8. They would be offered with five or six-speed automatics, respectively, but six-speed manuals should be available, as well. Tough choice, really - a Firebird that would be a restyled Camaro, or a GTO that could go its own way. Which would you choose?

[Source: Car and Driver]

Goat or Chicken: Will 2010 Pontiac be a Firebird or GTO? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

eBay Find of the Day: Bullrun-winning Trans Am

John Neff — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 18:03:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Pontiac

We watched a marathon of the SpikeTV reality show based on the Bullrun Rally and hosted by Bill Goldberg, but weren't too terribly impressed with the premise. It seemed one needed only a decent proficiency at reading maps, as well as a lot of luck, to win. The winning team was the father/daughter duo of Mike and Morgan Alsop from Lafayette, Indiana, who took top Bullrun honors at the helm of their 2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS6. While the finale is still sitting on our TiVo, we know that the Alsops got as far as they did by making more friends than enemies, while watching their own backs at the same time. Meanwhile, their Trans Am performed flawlessly throughout the 4,800-mile rally and proved to be bulletproof, unlike the rides brought by many of their competition.

Like true Americans, father and daughter Alsop are eager to capitalize on their fifteen minutes of fame and have put the Championship Trans Am up for sale on eBay Motors. One of the Alsop's fellow Bullrunners already put his Lamborghini Murcielago up for sale on eBay, but he didn't have the decency to give the car a tune up or fix any of the damage it received from the competition. The Alsop's sent their car to a body shop immediately following the race and ordered up a new paint job, tires, suspension components and an engine tune up. So not only are you buying a hella fast Trans Am that's proven to be as reliable as the setting sun, you're also buying a car that's seen the bright lights of Hollywood and has a few stories to tell.

Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: Bullrun-winning Trans Am originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jun 2007 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Knight Rider spoof... freaking hilarious

Chris Shunk — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:06:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Supercars, Pontiac

Every once in a while we see one of those flash-based spoof cartoons that are just too good to pass up. This one, which is a commercial for Australia's CarsGuide, takes a hilarious swipe at the early 80's car show Knight Rider to show how important the right car really is. From the car's request for a destination, to the constantly changing cast of women in "Day Rider's" passenger seat and the giant cell phone in a suitcase, this one has all the makings of comic immortality. The "plot" of the spoof is that Michael Day is trying to stop an illegal shipment of hair mousse. Fittingly, the character spoofing David Hasselhoff ends up laying on the ground at the end. Check it out after the jump.

[Source: YouTube via Hemmings Car Blog]

Continue reading VIDEO: Knight Rider spoof... freaking hilarious

VIDEO: Knight Rider spoof... freaking hilarious originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Year One Bandit T/A in action! - UPDATED with latest version

Dan Roth — Thu, 03 May 2007 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Videos, Pontiac

UPDATE: Our friends at Year One graciously hooked us up with the latest version of this video - embedded after the jump.

"Bandit you're reckless and you live much too hard..."

We feel a full-fledged late 1970s lovefest coming on soon. Not that it'd be any worse than the resurgence of 1980s pop culture among those that didn't live it. Let's just say it was bad the first time, and hasn't improved with age. One thing that is better this time around are the Bandit T/A recreations from Year One. We reported on these a while back, and since we're all hot for the darn thing, here's some more eye candy. Looks like Sheriff Buford T. Justice finally has his day in the sun at the end of this short promo video, which we've embedded after the jump.

[Source: Year One]

Continue reading VIDEO: Year One Bandit T/A in action! - UPDATED with latest version

VIDEO: Year One Bandit T/A in action! - UPDATED with latest version originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 May 2007 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bandit Run offers T/A lovers a chance to be Burt for a day

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Pontiac, First Drive

Besides the obvious Smokey avoidance capabilities and river-jumping fun, you might be wondering what else you can do with your newly acquired YearOne Bandit T/A. Well, the good folks at YearOne, along with Restore A Muscle Car, Motortopia, and 78TA.com, have organized the first Bandit Run to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the release of the original Smokey and the Bandit film. It'll be a recreation of the route Burt Reynolds took in that American cinema classic, taking participants from Texarkana, Texas to Atlanta, Georgia, passing through Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama along the way. East bound and down, indeed.

The cruise is open to all makes and models, but Trans Ams are especially coveted, particularly black '76-'81 T/As and SE models. The Bandit Run starts on May 15 and ends in Atlanta on May 17, just in time for participants to partake in the YearOne Experience which runs May 18-20. The registration is just $45/person, for which you'll get :

*Official black Bandit Run 2007 Tote Bag
*Commemorative High Resolution Map w/Hotel, Roadside service and other info available
*Bandit Run 2007 T-Shirt Black in color w/Design Front & Back available in all sizes ($20 Value)
*Bandit Run 2007 Lanyard, Holder and Badge (Allows pass to *BBQ, Bandit Run Parking Area at the YOE, Ceremonial *Bandit Run Parade lap and other special events)
*1 Year One Spectator Pass ($20 Value)
*1 Year One Bandit Parade Lap Pass ($25 Value)
*Official Bandit Run 07 Window Decal/Cling
*Honorary Bandit Run BBQ Lunch in Tupelo: ($8 Value)
*VIP status for parking at our infield space at Year One *Experience for your car (Priceless)
*Chance to WIN a Phoenix Graphix Decal Kit Certificate of Your Choice

For more details or to register, visit the Bandit Run website.

Thanks for the tip, Eric!

[Source: The Bandit Run]

Bandit Run offers T/A lovers a chance to be Burt for a day originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Breaker, Breaker: Year One recreates Bandit T/As

Dan Roth — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:04:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Pontiac

click the pic above to view a gallery of Year One Bandit Trans Ams

Every now and then when I'm hammering to make time on a road trip, this is what goes through my head: "East bound and down, loaded up and truckin'..." Second only to Star Wars in 1977, Hal Needham's iconic Smokey and the Bandit also seared itself into popular culture like the Space Opera. Thirty years on, a black 2nd-generation Trans Am still makes us think of bootlegging Coors.

To commemorate the Burt Reynolds vehicle, Year One is teaming up with the veteran actor and building a limited number of Bandit inspired Trans Ams. These cars won't be highly suspect like those that pop up on eBay from time to time, or aftermarket kits like those made by Trans Am Specialties and Choo Choo Customs back in the day. No, they'll be the real deal, and Year One isn't taking the easy way out, either. Since the Bandit car was a T/A, all of the Year One cars will be true T/As, and titled as such. You could get away with a Firebird as a basis, but that's not how Year One rolls.

There will be three variations on the Bandit theme, BAN1, thru BAN3. All cars have full body restorations first. Floors are replaced, as are other needed panels, so that the hi-po Ponchos have the best basis to build from. Flush-mounted glass, smooth fender flares, custom projector headlights and LED taillights update the basic car. Chassis mods firm up the structure with subframe connectors, tubular control arms and high performance bushings and springs. The interiors get pimped out in the same custom fashion, with "Bandit" inserts on the door panels, modern seats, a race-inspired gauge cluster and the requisite CB radio. It wouldn't be a Bandit car if you couldn't pick up that mic and say "Snoman, gotcher ears on?" BAN2 and BAN3 packages get increasing amounts of performance from monster aluminum 455s or LS-derived engines, as well as further chassis tweaks and more toys inside the cockpit, like a nav system and race harnesses.

Some history, and Year One's press release after the jump

[Source: Year One]

Gallery: Year One Bandit Trans Ams

Continue reading Breaker, Breaker: Year One recreates Bandit T/As

Breaker, Breaker: Year One recreates Bandit T/As originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Should Pontiac's RWD coupe be the GTO or Trans Am?

John Neff — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, GM, Pontiac

In its latest issue, Winding Road calls the fact that Pontiac will get its own rear-wheel drive coupe based on the same Zeta architecture (sorry, "Global RWD platform" is the new official name) used by the upcoming Camaro is a "poorly kept secret". We weren't aware the decision to give Pontiac a piece of the pie was so solid, but are pleased to hear the news nonetheless.

When a new rear-wheel drive Pontiac debuts sometime around 2010 as a 2011 model, however, what should it be called? The obvious choice is to reuse the GTO moniker that was controversially slapped on the back of a Holden Monaro coupe and sold in the U.S. from 2003 to 2006. But what's a Camaro without a Firebird Trans Am twin, we ask? GM still retains the rights to those names, and as the speculative rendering above done by Poblete proves, Burt Reynolds' most famous ride looks damn good updated for the new millennium! We encourage you to check out the latest issue of Winding Road by clicking here to see an additional rear shot of this Trans Am mockup. It's worth the extra couple clicks.

I'll be honest with everyone, I've never been the new Camaro's #1 fan in terms of design, but I could get behind a Trans Am that looks good, screaming chicken and all.

[Source: Winding Road]

Should Pontiac's RWD coupe be the GTO or Trans Am? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Feb 2007 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Chicks! Gunplay! Pontiac! It's the '82 Firebird!

Alex Nunez — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Videos, Pontiac

The YouTube treasure trove continues to bear fruit, this time in the form of a dealer video for the then-all-new 1982 Pontiac Firebird. Like another favorite of ours, the '64 Dart television commercial, the Firebird propaganda film also features exploding clay pigeons. This time, however, it's a lovely '80s babe pulling the trigger during the opening minute instead of a little kid. Said shotgun is then used to demonstrate the gat-swallowing cargo capacity of the birdie's hatchback. All that and more after the jump!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Chicks! Gunplay! Pontiac! It's the '82 Firebird!

VIDEO: Chicks! Gunplay! Pontiac! It's the '82 Firebird! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

eBay Find of the Day: KITT up for sale

Dan Roth — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 10:33:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Auctions, Pontiac

This is a picture-perfect reproduction of the Knight Industries 2000. Unfortunately, after all that money and man-hours, the gooey center is still an '80s F-Body. Canadian seller zapper80 has done an awesome job putting this car together, and claims a cost of over $40,000 CDN. Zapper80 cites original molds as the source for some of the body parts, which leads us to believe that the car was put together from the wealth of parts and information available from the enthusiastic Knight Rider fans on the web. The amount of information, and lines of communication back to KITT designer Michael Scheffe are truly astounding. No matter where everything came from, it's a hoot to see it all lit up, and even better, it all works. Well, maybe not the "Turbo Boost" function that'd send 3000 pounds of Trans-Am hurtling over bad guys. This car probably has more mojo under its hood than the original KITT the Hoff tooled around in while doing good for FLAG.

Still, even with all the effort expended, we think the reserve of $19,000 and the buy it now of $30,000 are kind of loony, even in Canadian dollars. Original fans of the series (some of us Autobloggers included) don't have the deep pockets boomers are using to push vintage musclecar prices sky-high; and perhaps our memories of Michael, Devon, and the gang aren't fond enough that we'd want to be extremely conspicuous. Perhaps the value of these cars will rise to meet zapper's hopes when the Weinsteins debut their Knight Rider movie. For the ulitmate 1984 smackdown, we envision a drag race between one of these, and a Delorean that's been defiled with all the time-machine crap. KITT would so totally kick McFly's ass.

More pictures after the jump

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: KITT up for sale

eBay Find of the Day: KITT up for sale originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hot Rod wants your help selecting its next project car

Eric Bryant — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 14:34:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket

We certainly wouldn't claim that the only measure of a gearhead is the number of projects in his or her garage, but certainly it's a useful metric. By that standard, Hot Rod's David Freiburger definitely deserves his post as editor-in-chief, but even he has found himself with more cars than time and is now looking for some assistance in setting priorities.

Hit the link below to view and vote on the projects. We think that The Rallye Duster and NovaXCross would be hugely entertaining, but too many of our formative years were spent watching Smokey and the Bandit and so The Track Day TA is our pick. Note that no bonus points will be awarded to commenters who point out our fetish for cars from the disco decade that are built into all-around performers, as this has previously been established.

[Source: Hot Rod (Subscribe)]

Hot Rod wants your help selecting its next project car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Jan 2007 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

He's Big in Japan: KITT at the Tokyo Auto Salon

Alex Nunez — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 09:40:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Japan, Pontiac

He's big. He's black. He's an international superstar. And he's in Japan.

We are, of course, referring to KITT, the real star of NBC's late, great 1980s primetime hit, Knight Rider. Sure, there was an actor on that show as well, but when we were in grammar school, we were all about the car, not that guy. (Who, by the way was recently seen on the E! True Hollywood Story sporting a t-shirt emblazoned with "Don't Hassel the Hoff." No, we're not making it up.)

And those of you fortunate enough to pay a visit to the Tokyo Auto Salon should note that you aren't seeing double -- it appears that two KITTs are on hand at the show. This is both thrilling and sad at the same time. Thrilling because there's always room for more KITT. Sad because it means that there are more Trans Ams on the floor at the Tokyo Auto Salon than the Detroit Auto Show this week. Our world has been turned upside-down.

[Source: Carview]

He's Big in Japan: KITT at the Tokyo Auto Salon originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Jan 2007 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

How not to drift, Vol. II

Eric Bryant — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 17:34:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos

Previously, we learned that it's a bad idea to drift in areas populated with curbs. In this installment of Autoblog's Please Don't Act Like a Dufus lessons, the class will learn that other real-world obstructions can also cause significant damage.

In this particular case, the unfortunate driver of a third-gen Pontiac Trans Am rips some donuts and puts on a decent smoke show - right up until the point where he finds a manhole cover that protrudes above the surface of the pavement. The impact appears to shear something major in the rear axle (likely the axle shaft itself, judging by the intact wheel lugs), and the left rear tire decides that it no longer wishes to support its corner of the vehicle. That's OK - those stock 10-bolt rear ends are ripe for replacement anyways. Too bad the honeycomb wheel had to suffer, but at least the quarter panel didn't hit the ground.

[Source: Streetfire via CamaroZ28.com]

How not to drift, Vol. II originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Sep 2006 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SCCA keeps famous Trans-Am Series alive

Stuart Waterman — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 17:26:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics

The Sports Car Club of America will keep the longest-running U.S. road race series on track for at least another year. With 2006 marking the 40th anniversary of the famous series, two events are scheduled at Heartland Park, Topeka, Kansas, starting with "Trans-Am Thunder in the Heartland" in September.

Heartland Park Topeka owner Raymond Irwin says that he and the SCCA are trying to keep the Trans-Am series alive in the hopes that the new generation of Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger will bring back the series' glory days of the late '60s and early '70s, when factory-sponsored Mustangs, Camaros, Challengers, Barracudas and Javelins fought it out on America's road courses.

Parnelli Jones, who drove for the Ford factory team, says it best - "The Trans-Am was a no-holds-barred, highly competitive series. We had the best American drivers, we ran on the best North American circuits, and we drove cars that were spectacular to watch and that the fans could easily identify with. The Trans-Am was the greatest road racing series that has ever been run over here..."

In the meantime, the Historic Trans-Am Group is keeping the memory alive, actively racing the cars that actually competed during the heyday of the series.

[Source: SCCA]

SCCA keeps famous Trans-Am Series alive originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Aug 2006 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments