That's NOT KITT! What's with Knight Rider's Stock Bumpered Knight 2000?
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- Опубліковано 7 січ 2022
- Something's just not right with KITT! For 5 episodes in season 3, we see KITT with a modified Trans Am front bumper! Why?!? Let's dig into it and see what we can learn.
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I'm realizing how much work it takes to create a single TV show....and this is the 80s with no CGI.....Gotta love the clear stunt drivers face with a Michael Knight wig on 😆
Nevermind the mystery of KITT with stock bumper. Look at 19 minutes 16 secs. The mystery of Michael Knight who puts on 30 pounds during that sequence then loses it again afterward. This KITT just looks like an overlander version for off road scenes. Great episode review Joe.
Likely a stunt double that’s bigger then micheal
When Knight Rider first aired, I was between 7 and 11 years old (on British telly, this was almost concurrent with the US) and to begin with was just in awe of the car, but by the last couple is seasons and when the show was repeated later in the eighties, I watched with the same kind of nerdy eye that you all have and could see differences in KITT's exterior and interior throughout each episode. Even so, I'm amazed at the way you've tracked the history of all of the different cars so long after the series ended. Good stuff!
I find it amazing that the production team were so lackadaisical about the car's appearance, when some other shows paid much closer attention. For example, the General Lee only ever looked 'wrong' for brief moments during stunts, like when specially prepared for a stunt or when stunt cars buckled on landing.
This is one thing that sometimes detracts from KR when I watch it again today. The A-Team occasionally did it, too. On the rare occasions that they did major stunts in B.A.'s van, like the jump that appeared in the opening credits for quite some time, the van used was an older model with almost no attempt to make it look 'right'.
Keep up the great work!
My first thought of the car in Junkyard dog was that the "sludge" was weighing it down. I was about to post in the comments and you had the same idea later in this video. I think it really is the sludge crushing down the suspension for the following reason:
The "well" in the back is 2.3 cubic feet (according to audio people who need to know the volume for proper speaker installation). That's just the little area in the back, not including the back seat area or the cargo shelf area. I'm just going to guestimate that area holds about 5 cubic feet of sludge. I figure the sludge is a mixture of mud and water and that has a density higher than water because of the mineral and sand content. I looked up the density of wet concrete as a point of reference, and concrete is 150 pounds per cubic foot. So, if there's 5 cubic feet of wet concrete in the back of that car, there's 750 pounds of weight added, and because of the angle of the tilt, it's all at the point farthest back, giving the most leverage.
If the missing 500 pound engine accounts for that much lift in the nose, then 750 pounds in the rear would make it sink down like that.
I also suspect that the front being lighter and the angle the car is tilted is actually biasing more of the car's actual weight on the rear suspension, causing it to sag even more.
If you have ever seen vehicle recovery videos where they pull old cars from bodies of water, you will see that all that wet mud packed inside the vehicle flattens the suspension.
Joe, this was such a fascinating video to watch and, in some ways it's good that this mystery is still out there to be solved...but one I hope does get resolved. Its also worth noting that your dedication to unearthing the history of this show (which for so many of us had left an undeliable mark from our childhood) is outstanding and I wish you a fantastic 2022 going forward with KRH
Made the realization that you guys are really
Archeologists of all things Knight Rider.
Production order has Kitt vs Karr as first filmed. That said the end of that episode has the damaged nose sitting there after Karr was destroyed. Wonder if they didn't have a new nose ready and needed one for that scene so took it off a car and replaced it with the stock one because one wasn't ready.
On a side note, I always thought it was a real first time interaction with Patricia and David when Bonnie returns in "Knight Of the Drones." Turns out they were already working together again for a few episodes.
The stock bumper came and went 3 times on episode 1 season 1. Just like Michael couldn't remember which shoulder he was shot in. Loved watching it!
I'm leaning towards the Junk Yard Dog scene being the weight of the muck. I haven't had success posting links in UA-cam comments, but if you google Cobb County Stolen 1983 Firebird you'll see a story where they recently pulled a 1983 Firebird out of a lake after 30 years and it's full of mud. Its stance is almost exactly like the JYD KITT. Even with its engine still in it, presumably.
Also, as more evidence, if you look at the later scenes with the trashed KITT being repaired in the lab the back is not nearly as low as it was on the way out.
KITT can't decide on what nose he wants 😆
Very interesting video!
I noticed a small dent on the drivers side door on the factory nose KITT, you can see it on one of the pictures, is more like a small dimple, that might help on recognizing the car on other episodes. Great video.
Damn!! Joe & AJ, your knowledge of the show is mind blowing!! Awesome episode, and keep up the good work!!
Happy new year Joe, and A.j. Thank you for all the videos you've posted this year. I'm really grateful for all of the time and effort put into all of those hours of content.
This particular episode merited our scrutiny.
My 2 cents. I dont believe the JYD car is a hydro car. If in fact it was a hydro car and the hydros were collapsed the front would be dropped regardless of there being no engine. A normally sprung front end would cause the extra lift with no engine. It doesnt take much weight to bottom those cars out and no doubt the weight of the mud and debris is the cause of the squat.
Great work and enjoy watching. 👍
Depends on the springs....As a person that has built lowrider hydraulics to make a car go lower than stock you need to cut the springs and then add hydraulics rams, or maybe they removed the springs completely
From the title, I was expecting to see a car the looks like KITT, but then the camera pans right and we see the real KITT, and he says: “That’s not me, Captain! That’s not me!”
In the episode "Big Iron" in Season 2, there is a blooper that can be noticed in one scene. There is a giant piece of construction equipment about to crush Michael and K.I.T.T. but you can clearly see it is an ordinary Trans Am with a stock nose and a dummy of Michael. Doesn't help solve this mystery, but that is another moment when a stock nose was used.
Happy 2022 KRH! I hope you had a fabulous Christmas, and I know for sure that you are still working on the FLAG Semi. I wish you guys luck!🎸
That's a fantastic comment. I love it.
(fyi you might find something similar in the comments....it might be me....)
@@FirstDan2000 You're probably right! I'll look into that. Thanks!
Here's a small piece of the puzzle that may help... Assuming the correct nose was damaged, it may have been the one used at the end of Kitt vs Karr. The timing would be right since it was the first filmed episode of season 3. Also you just did a video in regards to the correct nose for your car and it was from the Junkyard Dog car I believe. Just little things to think about that may help, or confuse even more. Just watched clips from Junkyard Dog. Hard to tell if the back is squatting in any of the other scenes. :/
Very interesting Joe.That stock nose KITT is weird. I hope the semi is going well.It will be interesting to have a video on it soon.Hope you all have a happy new year.
When you see it, its hard to unsee it
Thank You Joe and AJ!!! Great Work as Always 👍👍👍😀 Greetings from Helsinki, Finland 🇫🇮🇺🇸🇫🇮🇺🇸
Not even kidding, KITT with the regular bumper in the first photo is absolutely terrifying.
I believe the Acid Pit Trans Am was NOT a high traction drop down car. As you pointed it out, it must have been the weight of the mud and water that was on the back of the car, which made it look like it could've had the high traction drop downs. I re-watched the "Does Super Pursuit Mode KITT Still Exist?" video again and it shows a picture of the acid pit Trans Am parked outside of Barris Kustom shop. That car is clearly sitting at its standard height and the front is sitting a bit higher due to its empty engine bay. I think it's safe to say that it never had the high traction drop downs.
You are 100% right.
I have a feeling Jack Gill knows the answer to this mystery.
The third car you referring to, I believe they were going to create a ultimate hi trackion drop down, for not just 1 episode in speed demon, I feel,,they must have been thinking about lots more off-road episodes including season 4, until it could be proven to any 1 of millions theory, I would refer to it as ghost version of THE hi TRACTION, but if I am wrong,...
My Dad who knew so so much about classic tv and movie cars. Because he was a pure petrolhead but sadly he passed in 2011
Why are we not getting anymore of the semi video's ? That's what attracted me to this channel 🙁
A thought on the Ski Mode stunt, do you think the front shot car sustained damage after the stunt and they had the stock nose car on hand so did the rear shot with that to save time waiting for another car being sent out or waiting for repairs on the other car? I dunno. You guys are pure experts on this show, I just loved it as a kid, still do to this day. In fact I am thrilled at how detailed the model of KITT is in planet coaster game, Knight Rider DLC. The car is stunning and even has hi res internal details when you zoom in. I dont know which car they modelled it on but the pack has KITT, KARR and Super Pursuit Mode KITT for use as decorations. Even the Tracked Car Rides can use mini KITTS and they use the "where now michael" and "I am the voice of..." samples if you go first person on the ride :D Super cool!
Definitely possible, sometimes those skiing stunts had obviously heavy landings. It's also worth noting that in that scene, it's skiing on the passenger side, so the weight of the car might affect it because unless they used one of the blind-drive cars with a steering wheel on the right side, the stunt driver would have been on the lifted side of the car. Note that for the famous loop jump in James Bond: The Man with the Golden Gun, they built a special version of the car just for that stunt which had the driver seated exactly central to make the weight balance perfect.
Is the stock nose the actual original modified stock nose from the Pilot which they still had lying around? I know that had the front grilles smoothed over. Maybe they had a car with a damaged Kitt nose and couldn't get a new one made in time for filming, so they dug out the old Pilot stock nose, made some mods to have the fog lights showing and put it on one of the cars and then just left it there for the seriea filming schedule?
I wonder if they ever just used air shocks on any of the stunt KITT’s? Just a thought..
This was great..oh I did think the answer was coming at the end...your probably right on the acid pit KITT,had sludge in the rear,plus no weight at the front with the engine removed..I assume call sheets have no answers either...as ever,great info Joe,thanks as always...
Great stuff as always! I was really hoping it was going to be your car.
Absolutely love this video - even if the mystery is still unsolved. More videos like ‘the life of the hero car/back up to hero car/other Knight Rider car will be highly appreciated.
Wet mud and water is extremely heavy. Without a motor, on an incline, and a bunch of wet mud could drop the car to that stance on the tow truck. Just my 2 cents for you to consider. Thanks guys!
Hello guys! Always writing from Italy (I'm the guy who sent by mail weeks ago that photoshoot of KITT at Psycho's House from an Italian car magazine... I wish to know if you can check if you have another mail because I send a second one with other things but I had no answer, maybe is gone to the spam? Please check and let me know, in that case I will send again!), about the HTDD TransAm we see coming out of the acid pit I have to say I always thought the rear was so low because of the weight of the mud or water (whatever it was lol) still into the car and was still coming out from the body while they were uploading on the truck. I say this because in the famous picture of this poor TransAm waiting to be converted in the operational SPM mock-up (the picture with the plastic chair on the driver side) the car, now clean and dry, doesn't look so low on the rear axle. I don't want to say I am right, because if my knowlegde about KR is like a isle, yours is big like all Universe lol, but never been sure that car coming out from the acid pit was an ex-HTDD.
Can't wait for the video on when you guys solve the mystery. Thanks for sharing.
The most amazing thing about Knight Rider, is how Michael's face keeps changing. It's like he's a human chameleon :P
Always a pleasure and a joy see all of these details regarding the show used cars Joe 👍👍
Hey Joe, thanks for this mystery, I would've never known about this particular car, untill you posted this video!
You even managed to keep things interesting during a minutes worth of an inanimate green plant pot. Epic UA-cam Skills!!
Another awesome video guys.. just when you think, what will the KRH come up with next?.. I kind of like what the stock nose does for the overall look of KITT, especially from the side.. just goes to show, there is so much more to these cars used on the show than meets the eye! Thanks guys
Just like everyone else here, I grew up watching Knight Rider (which was re-titled "Supercar" here in Italy) over and over again. But it's a long time since I last watched any of it, so I had completely lost memory of the "stock nose" KITT. Very interesting video, as usual... But why did they use the standard bumper in those scenes?
I like the suggestion that a stock nose was put on to deal with the steep hills in SF, and which bumper was placed in the desert with other parts at the end of KITT vs KARR. I have a random theory that is probably miles off but I'll share it anyway - in a recent episode commentary, you mentioned that the front nose of whichever KITT was used to push the bulldozer into the pit at the end of Junk Yard Dog got completely crushed. I'm not sure which car was used as you've not done the commentary on JYD yet, but is it possible this is the car a stock nose was fitted to briefly after said damage was done and it was used for a few scenes as described here and footage re used elsewhere before the actual KITT nose was fitted again? I don't think that theory fits with the timeline of production etc though. We all love a good mystery so please post another video if you manage to solve it. I'm 42 and lost my sight 12 years ago so I'm not the best sleuth here, but I just want to say great job on the episode commentaries in particular Joe, the level of detail you go into is fantastic and it brings back so many visual memories which are priceless for me. I'm so glad I got to see the convertible KITT at the Cars Of The Stars museum here in Scotland in 2004 before I lost my vision😎 Keep up the good work!
Another great video. It could definitely be the car that they dragged out of that muddy acid pit that had weight of what was still in it from when they took it out. I’ve seen videos when they take cars out of water that been in water thar these cars have mud or dirt in that make the car lean towards the back. It does actually sink in the rear as if like the suspension is completely dropped down.
For that one ski stunt could they have taken the stock nose off and fitted the car with the actual Knight Rider bumper? Very interesting content!👍
One more thing. Is there any screen shots of the acid pit cars taillight lens cover?
Thank you Joe and A.J. for a very interesting video.You give much insight as to how you have been investigating this mystery.I will try to spot this car in any episodes that you did not mention but I highly doubt that you have missed anything as you have used an extremely fine toothed comb already!👍perhaps if you ever acquire all of the on set or on location call sheets this mystery car can be better identified.I noticed when I used to be a mechanics helper how far up a car actually goes with the engine removed so the manual transmission junk yard dog car might just be nosed up tail down minus engine and tranny.Remember the Trans am level 2 or 3 suspension had stiffer front springs compared to base firebird springs and the rear springs would also have been stiffer with level 2 or 3 suspension.Well that's my 1 and 1/2 cents for what little it's worth!😀👍
If u zoom in on the acid kitt u can see the lines in the trunk best I remember of what's left of the drop downs,also on that same kitt u can see the holes from where the front lower air deflectors on the front fenders were mounted (the holes are very visible). The stock nose kitt seems to have these holes filled as the rest of the Kitts used however does have a dent on the lower driver door. From the pics the stock nose kitt has more screws in the tail light blackout from one scene to another scene at the top. The recovered headliner in the stock nose kitt is very squared and bulky for some reason,maybe to have tape put over it to make viewers think it has a upper console? The acid pit kitt also has larger tires on the rear.. Just my observations
Y'know, there's another difference shown in the pics early on that I'm amazed you didn't mention: that little rectangular area just below the bottom of the headlights seems like it dips down for another gap instead of sitting flush like the season 1&2 Hero Cars.
That's the stock opening for the turn signals. The other cars usually have a filler panel there.
Hey Joe! Here’s my thoughts about this mystery.
I believe that this stock nosed car was neither of the high drop down cars . Instead I think they just made a stunt car with larger springs and shocks on it . Here’s my reasoning behind my theory. 1) they kept this stock nose as part of this car on purpose and by Adding the frames around the fog lamps in the later episodes tells me it was purposely on this car . I m sure they could have easily placed a knight nose on it but by actually fixing it around the fog lights after the first time we see it for filming another episode tells me that it was cared for and not just a one time thing or screw up 2) I don’t think it had drop downs. Instead I think it was just a stunt car built with bigger leaf springs and shocks permanently for specific stunt reasons for the scenes. In the episode knight of the drones it’s used on a paved street, why would they call for the drop down car on a paved street? maybe the higher shocks and springs gave the car better control and stability for the crazy hills of San Francisco.
3) The rear blackout May have not been a plastic black out . The stunt car was meant to take more of a beating from the stunts so possibly the car was missing the stock lights from the train derailment and they just used a chunk of metal or plastic and needed the extra screws or bolts to mount it to the body instead of going into the plastic lenses which may have not been there underneath the blackout at all. Could have been a chunk of wood or metal underneath the blackout.
Also we’re looking at this car on paused screen shots which was never a thought in 1984. This car was in quick scenes which when aired originally, was the only time anyone would see it , unless you had a vcr. Ha ha.
I want to do more research but I can almost swear that I seen this stock nose kitt in season 2 somewhere.
Only one who would really know about this mysterious car would probably be Jack Gill . If you have a chance to contact him and ask him about it I’m sure he will know. I mean how many stock nose stunt cars could they have used as Kitt
Like the scene where it rams through the fence, it was likely intentionally built, top to bottom, as a "beater stunt car"
I think it's a very good theory, but there is one problem I can think of right away. It was used for a "skiing scene". I think it would have been quite impossible to "ski" that car if it was permanently sitting that high on it's wheels....
I found another stock nose trans am in season 2 big iron. The scene when Kitt is pushed over the edge of the hill by the pay loader. T top trans am but no fog lamps. Is this possibly the same car prior to fog lamps being installed
@@XiaOmegaX exactly
@@Theratron Buzz used to over inflate the tires to better balance the vehicles on two wheels. I think having a set up like this one would make it easier
The videos just keep getting more and more interesting! Loved it. My intrigue has piqued.
Please, please, when your finished with the series I would love for you to review Knight Rider 2000. Go all out, make it an hour long review. I know it’s not generally not loved by much of the fans but I thought it was great. The more serious tone and the production design was top notch. True, I wish they included Bonnie, but still kr2000 is the only true squeal. I really wish knight rider continued on from that point.
My theory is that the acid pit car sits that low due to missing shocks or broken springs. Maybe they salvaged some parts for another car since they knew they didn't need that car in further episodes?
I love videos like these and life would be boring without mysteries.
Good point about the resonator of the exhaust... if it were centered, it would technically be directly forward of the license plate.
Well this is gonna bug the hell out of me for a while lol. Gonna watch it over again. 😕🤣 Thought I had it figured out until the Junkyard Dog shot. Joe I think another way to confirm your car isn't it is to go in the back and try to find screw holes from the taillight cover. Even though your bumper crashbar looks original, there is always a possibility that it was removed and reinstalled. Also, I've seen cars with engines removed and they do tend to squat down a little in the rear. Add to that the weight of the sludge and angle on the flatbed may contribute to the Junkyard Dog car sitting low in back. If it had HTTD retracted then the front wouldn't sit up so high without the power train installed. I don't know, making my head spin, lol
Thank you joe for sharing your wonderful videos very interesting questions I also would love to get some answers I am watching from South Africa
Yeah it's so weird how they put so much work into modifying the stock nose instead of just... popping on one of the many KITT noses that I'm sure they had lying around by that point. Unless it's something they had to throw together when they were out on location one day after the KITT noses had all been damaged in a stunt.
They probably don’t have kit noses just lying around, and so much effort isn’t the case like this is less work then putting another bumper on they probably don’t even have. This car was likely rushed and never thought to change afterwards.
New here a fan from the 1st day the showed aired, this video was amazing, didn't realize there were so many different cars used in the show for different reasons. Love it. 👍
Hey Joe…this is a great episode. I love these types of episodes.
I was wondering not just looking at the car in screen grabs…but what is this particular car doing in the scene? Could the car be doing something that required a certain car or feature and if the answer is yes…then that may help answer the question.
Could this mystery simply be that this car was used for a second unit? The second unit will often shoot simultaneously with the other unit or units, allowing the filming stage of production to be completed faster.
A friend of mine from high school had one for his first car. We poked fun of him till senior year. He saved up and worked every summmer. Mid way through his senior year he bought a 350 from z28 with tranny. And shoed that in. That car was awesome. Little work. But he still has it. And yes he put the red light bar in the front. Which he got a ticket for. I cop said that people could confuse that for a siren light of a police car. He fought that ticket. The judge laughed when he looked at the car and said. Get out of here.
Another great video!! Thanks guys!
A fascinating watch, not something I ever noticed, but now I really do.
My suggestion, if you are still in some kind of touch with the man - ask Jack Gill. If that car was used for very specific scenes, tho the Ski Mode wasn't him driving, he was probably involved; he may know the answer.
I originally thought it was just a 'slapped on nose' at short notice (no pun intended) as someone mess up the proper nose. but the fact it is used throughout that season, puts a cross against that idea.
My suggestion: Ask Jack Gill.
Hi joe, thanks for this amazing video!! Please check trunk lid alignment to rear light blackout. I think i saw something there that identifies this kitt as a httd car.
I have a resonator exhaust on my 1982, hasn't been touched. I'll look and see if it's offset then edit this comment. Loved the video man!
The name Knight by a nose at 2:40 is actually spot on in terms of the car's nose in that scene where the stock bumper is showing.
maybe among other parts.....they remove from the acid pit car also the rear springs....also i think that all the parts from that car is the parts we see at the end of the kitt vs karr episode!
The mystery kitt is in season 4 "knight strikes" 4:30 seconds in. Confirmed with its twin fog lights and rear suspension really high.
Heard Michael’s line in my head from Trust Doesn’t Rust when I read this title
What I'm missing, or not fully understanding, is with the production call sheets with cars listed if that helps narrow down the vehicle? My second question is how many total vehicles did production have to work from in season three?
The acid bath car could easily make that look by removing the rear springs and removing the engine and trans plus the weight of the water. Also it appears the acid car has chrome trim on the hatch glass. The stock bumper car is also twisted in the rear, it's high sided on the passenger side.. hatch lines up with the quarters but everything below is shifted. That whatchamacallit under the rear could be the oil slick dispenser line... Food for thought...
Joe if you watch closely in Junkyard Dog, you can almost see into the wheel housing of the left front wheel as it gets power washed. Can't tell if that's a strut or hydraulic cylinder. You might be able to tell.
Thats the factory strut
@@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial Ok, I wasn't sure if that's where they put the HTTD cylinder or not. Couldn't remember from previous videos. I think the info will eventually turn up on this mystery
Fascinating stuff. Thinking about why a stock nosed KITT was done, I suspect the reason had to do with the location shoot in San Francisco. Part of the chases with the drone T-birds took place on public roads and they likely needed a stock looking firebird to scout the location and not attract too much attention. The nose of KITT is a dead giveaway, but turn off the scanner, not quite so much. And installing the stock vents would easily conceal the fog lights until it was time to get the film crew up for the main scenes.
I was thinking Ice Bandits was also filmed up north for the vineyard shots, but it appears they were done close to Los Angeles instead. So perhaps they gave the car a trial run before sending it north, or it came back south after doing scouting work in the SF area before it was sent back north.
Food for thought anyway.
Joe, I remember you showed a picture of the "acid pit car" as it was put in storage before it was converted into the transforming SPM car, right? Did it sit low in those pictures as well (if they actually show all of the car, I hope they do). If it's that low because of the high traction drop down suspension being removed, it's possible they put in into this other car. Or, as others say, the "acid pit car" was low on it's wheels due to the weight of the water and sludge and this stock nose car was in fact the same stuntcar with the high traction drop down we saw before. They swapped parts all the time, so a different bumper is not a strange thing. I still believe for some reason the foglights are in there because they were already on the car before they put that stock bumper on. After all, if it was a new car they could have just left the stock grille covers on to make it look even less obvious and keep the front all black and all stock. The fact that the lights are so clearly visible now is what makes it noticeable (to me at least).
I think it's definitely your car. Look at the passenger side headlight at 3:27: It's misaligned right? It's tilted the exact same way at 12:38, but also 21:23, 22:13, you can even see it's misaligned the exact same way at 27:02. The other HTDD car doesn't have that misalignment. Could it be that the dual foglights are a different brand than the tripple ones, one type is mounted from each side, the other is mounted from the middle? Or the dual ones were mounted to the bumpercover or something. Or later they put a tripple light crashbar back on, maybe even after filming?
The JYD car is sitting way lower than your car btw. It's tucking tire and yours isn't.
Could it be that they removed the HTDDs from your car to fit them to a third car?!
My guess is, the reason it has/had that bumper is that they were filming an offroad section with the high traction dropdowns and kept scuffing the "proper" KITT bumper on a certain bump. So they fitted a stock-ish bumper, which doesn't stick out as far and low down. They left it on the car thinking it would be useful for other offroad segments. They might have put the "proper" KITT bumper on in that ski scene, and later put the stock-ish bumper back on again when it became damaged. You can see at 16:11 how low to the ground even that stock bumper gets. A KITT bumper would probably hit, there. At 19:11, the foglights are much further apart than the stock bumper KITT
Hey Joe. The picture of the Junk Yard Dog KITT outside Barris's workshop. Was the suspension also shown to be in its fully retracted position?
I think you maybe right with the weight of the mud and water weighing the back down
8:00 I dont know I beg to differ, you said that scene was like a homage to bullitt where they slammed the cars over the hill, which I know did a number on those cars back in the day, I think this was a throwaway stuntcar with an easy to replace front end put on it in place of the normal front end that you showed had wood in it that could bow easily under pressure, like this was them mock prototyping an easier to maintain stuntcar like this, possibly in prep for that new rubber nose in season 4
as you wouldnt put a tow rig under the front of a car that is gonna get banged up and possibly slammed into the engine bay on a jump after all
also look at the seats here at 30:52 that looks more like the 83 rectangular style that you've brought up before.
An automotive mystery... would that be a "whorunnit" ?
(I still say they're "high traction push-ups")
Great video! I would think the call sheets would shed a bit of light on if this car had a new ID number or not? Do you guys have the sheets from more than one episode this car was in? If not, I wonder if they are found could it help you with cross referencing the car in the Universal computer database you recovered?
I'd like more videos about oddball cars like this! I'm guessing there's no call sheets available for those 5 episodes?
Interesting video of this mystery stock nose kitt sooner or later Joe im confident that you can solve this mystery of this stock nose kitt
Love it, hope this mystery gets solved :)
Great history thanks
Great ep! I think the stock nose KITT would have looked pretty good actually had they covered over the turn signal gaps and put the fog light covers back on. What do you guys think?
The amount of times you say high traction drop down, ok we got it, damn.
So you own KITT and KARR in one car :) Awesome
Exciting detective episode, Joe! But can't you identify this mystery car with the call sheets you have? Maybe it can clarify is this one of the two high drop down cars?
Maybe you should look at the dent in the driver's door at 10:56? I have a feeling that could help. If it's a dent.
Knight of the drones interior shot looks like it may have a hidden roll cage.
Great video! Is it possible that the stock nose KITT was "just" some car enthusiast's Trans Am, modified by that owner on their own, with hydraulics and perhaps also a KITT-like stock nose? Maybe the show needed another car on an ad hoc basis, and the production rented the already modified car from that enthusiast. It's a stretch, but...
On rare occasion, the original Star Trek TV series used Star Trek model kits. Maybe on rare occasion, Knight Rider used an early KITT replica.
While watching this video, I wondered why, in the KR universe, did Knight Industries decide to use a new TransAm for their KITT computer system? Why specifically that car? But remember: when they brought in Michael Long, Knight Industries already had an a working prototype in storage: KARR. Also built into a 1983 TransAm. After the KARR debacle, they designed KITT and put it into a 1983 TransAm. Why a TransAm? KITT is basically a mobile crime lab that driven by a private investigator who works for a detective agency. Why not a larger, roomier car? Say, a Cadillac? Or a Lincoln? Or even just an Impala?
My bet is that it's a spare bumper they kept on standby and slapped on various stunt cars after the original got damaged, which it looks like they did, a lot!
I think they used the stock nose Kitt in “Knight Of The Drones” to save on wear and tear. During the chase through the crazy steep streets of San Francisco, the shorter nose and raised suspension would have definitely saved on wear and tear and helped in continuity of the shot. When Kitt comes to an intersection at a bottom of these steep ass streets at high speeds, it just looks brutal! I bet they would have lost a regular extended Kitt nose if one were used. Just my .02 cents...😎👍
Absolutely, the weird thing though, is that "Drones" was not the first episode to be produced this season, and so it's not the first time this nose (and car?) were used... but I definitely think they were short on KITT noses and used this as a solution on a car that was almost certain to get damaged anyway.
its a stunt car put together for off road shots
At 7:22 to 9:00 where is this shot taken , are these hills in LA ?
Just curious when kitt is ski mode past the semi truck. Can see the screw holes on the back but cant seem to see skid plate at the front
May be a long shot but could it be the general purpose stunt car. I can't tell if it's the same car that performs the oil slick in that episode. I just remember from the ski mode episode the general purpose stunt car having 2 holes for the oil slick.. did the same car perform the slick in the episode where they investigated the dissappearance of the horse captain jack...
Wow. Good Video
Wait if that's your car in the KARR episode, does that mean you have a KITT and a KARR???
Yep!!
Maybe I missed it , but why was the stock nose used in the first place? It is weird that they made other changes to the car in between uses, but they didn’t put a proper KITT nose on?
My dad got a 82 Firebird that looks like the car on the tow truck as far as wheel height but it has factory air shocks so that could be another car than what you would think. But the engine is a little heavier than factory so it's sits lower at the front