KITT Knight Rider Replica...
10-12-2011, 04:54 PM
#53
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Re: Kitt Knight Rider Replica...
I generally don't like knight rider replicas and I LOVE this car! Not that you should care about a stranger's opinion, but the quality of your work really won me over!
There's one question I've always had about knight rider replicas that I've never asked... how difficult is it to drive with that steering wheel? It looks like it would be very difficult unless you had a power steering box that only required a quarter to half turn at most in each direction to go from lock to lock.
There's one question I've always had about knight rider replicas that I've never asked... how difficult is it to drive with that steering wheel? It looks like it would be very difficult unless you had a power steering box that only required a quarter to half turn at most in each direction to go from lock to lock.
10-12-2011, 04:59 PM
#54
Re: Kitt Knight Rider Replica...
Just takes some practice.... I have a formula with a quick ratio steering box which helps & my car is a 5 speed, so I can turn it quickly with one hand if need be....
It was a little fun watching my friend who doesn't have much practice try to correct from the back end sliding out (TPI
I got all new suspension / sub frame connectors / steering kit / springs, etc...
Raf
It was a little fun watching my friend who doesn't have much practice try to correct from the back end sliding out (TPI
I got all new suspension / sub frame connectors / steering kit / springs, etc...
Raf
10-13-2011, 08:29 PM
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Car: 1988 GTA
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Re: Kitt Knight Rider Replica...
Personally, I like stock cars because at least they have some level of engineering behind them. Unlike most homemade jobs that totally look as flimsy as they actually are.
Your KITT replica is quite the exception. It looks so awesome, it's almost beyond belief. Amazing results.
And there's no doubt the 86-88 TA digital dash would never have happened if it weren't for the TV show.
Your KITT replica is quite the exception. It looks so awesome, it's almost beyond belief. Amazing results.
And there's no doubt the 86-88 TA digital dash would never have happened if it weren't for the TV show.
10-14-2011, 01:32 AM
#57
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Car: 1982 Trans Am KITT Replica
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Re: Kitt Knight Rider Replica...
Word 
Getting tired of the Knight Rider bashers on this site
,KITT is one of the most FAMOUS car's in the world and we are lucky for it to be a third gen !! SHOW SOME RESPECT FOLKS 
Dave
Getting tired of the Knight Rider bashers on this site
,KITT is one of the most FAMOUS car's in the world and we are lucky for it to be a third gen !! SHOW SOME RESPECT FOLKS Dave
Last edited by 3rdgenparts; 10-14-2011 at 01:53 AM.
10-14-2011, 02:03 AM
#58
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10-14-2011, 06:33 AM
#59
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Re: Kitt Knight Rider Replica...
Didn't KITT have the Recaro seats? Nice work, this was my favortie show growing up, I remember having the KITT pedal car the had a 9V battery that made the scanner go and he would talk. Very nice work!
10-14-2011, 04:59 PM
#65
Re: Kitt Knight Rider Replica...
My replica is not done... I do have the same nose as Andy, but I started with a 91 Formula... I've been doing tons of suspension upgrades, (STB, SFC, Tubular Panhard & LCA's, Jet Hot Coated Headers and 3" exhaust, etc... I've had the car for 6 years, but mind you I was legally blind and had no license (I never have been able to drive, until 2 years ago, when I got my license for the first time @ age 38)... My living situation now means I keep my car in storage (away from home, no garage)... I upgraded to Spohn tubular A Arms, and come to find out, they moved the wheels back in the well and rubbed, so a bunch of time & $$$ went there... Moving within 2 months to a home with a garage... begin more improvements then And a few months ago, the injectors started to fail, so that will be the next upgrade...
So the car is better than when I started, but not finished... Andy is a friend of mine, so I'll just fly him down to FL to help with the finishing touches
Rafael
And a few months ago, the injectors started to fail, so that will be the next upgrade...So the car is better than when I started, but not finished... Andy is a friend of mine, so I'll just fly him down to FL to help with the finishing touches
Rafael
10-21-2011, 11:07 PM
#66
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Re: Kitt Knight Rider Replica...
All the heuristic opinions aside, the construction is great, and the
product truly impressive.
Now to really stir up the pot...
I REALLY like the KR front bumper, and plan to put one on my 90
restoration project, which will be painted in the original red color.
And to that end, I have some questions...
The original bumper is a flex-skin over a honey-comb frame, mounted
to a box steel component, that is bolted to the unibody front mounts.
How is the fiberglass unit mounted, w/ respect to any strengty &/or
structural integrity?
From the first picture, I finally understand the early version/turnsignal
blackout issue. That is how I would like to retain some functional
turnsignals. Is the "blackout" plexiglas part of the original product
purchase, or is it some kind of an additional option?
Again, kudos on great work.
PS
KITT, and later Bonnie made the show great.
Hasselhoff was the downer.
product truly impressive.
Now to really stir up the pot...
I REALLY like the KR front bumper, and plan to put one on my 90
restoration project, which will be painted in the original red color.
And to that end, I have some questions...
The original bumper is a flex-skin over a honey-comb frame, mounted
to a box steel component, that is bolted to the unibody front mounts.
How is the fiberglass unit mounted, w/ respect to any strengty &/or
structural integrity?
From the first picture, I finally understand the early version/turnsignal
blackout issue. That is how I would like to retain some functional
turnsignals. Is the "blackout" plexiglas part of the original product
purchase, or is it some kind of an additional option?
Again, kudos on great work.
PS
KITT, and later Bonnie made the show great.
Hasselhoff was the downer.
10-22-2011, 11:57 AM
#67
Re: Kitt Knight Rider Replica...
The fiberglass bumper bolts to each side of the fender with 4 bolts per side. The fiberglass flange is almost half an inch thick there... the "nose" rests on the stock tray... You do have to trim (some people remove) the honeycomb bumper absorber...
& if you've seen other replicas, not all noses are created equal... some sag by (poor) design.... The black outs are plexi and have a steel frame, and they sag a bit in the middle (true to show), but with the turn signals installed and shimmed, you get the results you see with Andy's car.
Rafael
& if you've seen other replicas, not all noses are created equal... some sag by (poor) design.... The black outs are plexi and have a steel frame, and they sag a bit in the middle (true to show), but with the turn signals installed and shimmed, you get the results you see with Andy's car.
Rafael
06-24-2012, 11:00 PM
#70
Member
Re: Kitt Knight Rider Replica...
AWESOME !
If I ever saw this car in person, I'd probably faint from retro sensory / memory overload !!!
~DaVe
If I ever saw this car in person, I'd probably faint from retro sensory / memory overload !!!
~DaVe
06-24-2012, 11:52 PM
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Re: Kitt Knight Rider Replica...
This has got to be the best replica I've ever seen even the buttons have the correct 3 lights that light up when pushed I've seen reproduction companies make the buttons but they only have 2 light up leds and their missing the 3rd led which is red, you know how every time the turbo boost button was pressed the 3 leds lit up. Green yellow and red.
06-24-2012, 11:53 PM
#72
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Re: Kitt Knight Rider Replica...
You even got the tow thing right. If I didn't know any better I'd swear this was an existing one driven by the hoff himself used on the series.
06-25-2012, 03:12 AM
#74
COTM Editor (Retired)
Re: Kitt Knight Rider Replica...
A friend of mine in NY has been keeping this car to himself for too long...
I (and many others) think that it's amazing... The best replica I've seen... I myself am building a Knight Rider replica and I know that some people feel that, "your cutting up that car", well, not all of us... Andy's car is stunning in so many ways... He's not a member here yet, but I wanted to post some pics about his car & all the hard work he's done to make it so.... From all the perfect lines to the actual CRT monitors he used (instead of cheating and using an LCD), and the attention to all the little details, it is truly a masterpiece... Take it away, Andy!
Hi everyone!
I havn't really posted any progress on my KITT replica here yet and wanted to share some of my progress with you all.
I've been working on it for just over three years now and have finally started to make some ground. It's an original '83 Trans Am that I have been converting into a season 1 replica. I still have more progress to make like upper console and odds and ends but it's at least to a drivable point now.
Here are some progress pics.
I (and many others) think that it's amazing... The best replica I've seen... I myself am building a Knight Rider replica and I know that some people feel that, "your cutting up that car", well, not all of us... Andy's car is stunning in so many ways... He's not a member here yet, but I wanted to post some pics about his car & all the hard work he's done to make it so.... From all the perfect lines to the actual CRT monitors he used (instead of cheating and using an LCD), and the attention to all the little details, it is truly a masterpiece... Take it away, Andy!
Hi everyone!
I havn't really posted any progress on my KITT replica here yet and wanted to share some of my progress with you all.
I've been working on it for just over three years now and have finally started to make some ground. It's an original '83 Trans Am that I have been converting into a season 1 replica. I still have more progress to make like upper console and odds and ends but it's at least to a drivable point now.
Here are some progress pics.
my take on Knight Rider tributes i guess is, well for one thing it seems like alot of money for a whole lot of bells and whistles. if i were going to fashion my car after KITT (rather KARR) my inclination would be to make it functional, meaning the car would have to make a stealthy 5-600 horsepower, and i would need an internally mounted machine gun...and that rotary license plate.
i couldnt tell you whats supposed to be what at far as authenticity, but as others have said, you have the best looking KITT replica i've seen.
06-25-2012, 03:16 AM
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Re: Kitt Knight Rider Replica...
I look forward to building my replica one day in about 5 years, going to be a genuine '82 trans am with t-tops mines going to be the season 2 car. I'll keep it original under the hood.
06-25-2012, 03:25 AM
#76
COTM Editor (Retired)
Re: Kitt Knight Rider Replica...
didnt they put a bunch of boxes and engine covers under the hood to conceal the contemporary carburator air cleaner, ducting, and other components to make the car seem all futuristic and computerized?
06-25-2012, 11:12 AM
#77
Re: Kitt Knight Rider Replica...
Hope to get mine painted in August...
The tow bar... yeah, accurate since it was used in the TV show, but why put it on the car?
Might as well have a camera attached to the hood too (that was used in the show too!)
Anyway, I started with a 91 Formula, I do have wider than stock tires and I do have the 91 door guards, that will be the only way you can tell it's not an older bird from the outside... then more work to catch up on the inside... I have the same nose Andy does, but the improved 4th season dash
Rafael
The tow bar... yeah, accurate since it was used in the TV show, but why put it on the car?
Might as well have a camera attached to the hood too (that was used in the show too!)
Anyway, I started with a 91 Formula, I do have wider than stock tires and I do have the 91 door guards, that will be the only way you can tell it's not an older bird from the outside... then more work to catch up on the inside... I have the same nose Andy does, but the improved 4th season dash
Rafael
06-27-2012, 10:18 AM
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Car: 1987 T/A WS6 T-Tops/92 RS
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Re: KITT Knight Rider Replica...
Awesome car for sure, the love all the details that make it so great. KITT is the reason I have always loved and wanted a 3rd gen TA since I was a little kid. I have no desire to turn my car into a KITT or KARR, but I love looking at them.
06-27-2012, 10:59 AM
#80
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Re: KITT Knight Rider Replica...
I CANT WAIT do mine too but not everything im stay with my gta body style.. i have scanner looking for front bumper cant find gta front bumper with scanner ugh
11-06-2012, 06:40 AM
#81
Re: KITT Knight Rider Replica...
Just to clarify.... I'm adding to this thread to show those interested in Knight Rider a rare site... These are not Andy's, nor mine. I just helped another replica owner sell them... and since they are probably the first and only set of Chrome Turbocasts wheels... I thought I would add them to the end of this thread...
My own personal set looks like the ones below... the factory "finish" is very rough, gets dirty easily and is a biatch to clean... so I had them media blasted, edges polished and clear powder coat... amazing finish... easy to clean and mine look as good now as they did 7 years ago when they got done...
Raf
My own personal set looks like the ones below... the factory "finish" is very rough, gets dirty easily and is a biatch to clean... so I had them media blasted, edges polished and clear powder coat... amazing finish... easy to clean and mine look as good now as they did 7 years ago when they got done...
Raf
11-06-2012, 07:01 AM
#83
Re: KITT Knight Rider Replica...
I was told so... Didn't know they had chrome powder coat that was that shiny...
It hasn't been smoothed out, the outer round edge and fins are smooth, but in between you can still see rough cast... Someone else said you can't chrome aluminum??... I would think it would stick better to a rough cast than a smooth... (just guessing) ???
When I was deciding years ago as to what to do with my wheels, I did find a couple of chrome people who were willing to do it... but I went the other route....
Rafael
It hasn't been smoothed out, the outer round edge and fins are smooth, but in between you can still see rough cast... Someone else said you can't chrome aluminum??... I would think it would stick better to a rough cast than a smooth... (just guessing) ???
When I was deciding years ago as to what to do with my wheels, I did find a couple of chrome people who were willing to do it... but I went the other route....
Rafael
11-06-2012, 04:10 PM
#90
Re: KITT Knight Rider Replica...
They're not painted, it's clear powder coat... It looks glossy / wet...
http://www.glennswheelpolishing.com/
I paid $480 about 7 years ago... if you contact them, send pics of how you want them done...
Rafael
http://www.glennswheelpolishing.com/
I paid $480 about 7 years ago... if you contact them, send pics of how you want them done...
Rafael
11-07-2012, 12:15 AM
#92
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Re: Kitt Knight Rider Replica...
I don't remember ever seeing a shot of the engine in the show, what i do remember is one episode where kitt is badly damaged and knocked on his side then the hoff opens the hood (the shot still wont show the engine) and removes a crossfire air cleaner lid and sets it aside before tinkering around to get kill working again.
02-12-2013, 07:39 AM
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Re: KITT Knight Rider Replica...
Hello there Andy, I'd just joined the forum, and I must say.. That is one BEAUTIFUL TA. Very nicely established, I can only hope my own will one day look that sweet!
New to the forum as of this post too. I'm open to any and all help too! I've very little idea of where to even start on my Knight Replica.
New to the forum as of this post too. I'm open to any and all help too! I've very little idea of where to even start on my Knight Replica.
03-22-2013, 12:36 PM
#94
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Re: KITT Knight Rider Replica...
Looks great. I had my own KARR replica for a while. Started off as an 89 Formula 350.
After 9 years of ownership I sold it due to marriage and first kid on the way. Always vowed to make another one though. Checking out Knight Designs website now. Really leaning towards a season 4 dash this time around though. You replica looks awesome. Real attention to detail and very functional. Back when I built mine in 2002 there was not nearly the technology as there is today. Using tube style TVs in dash, no computers, VCR/DVD player mounted in trunk cause there was no "in dash" players at that time. Anyways, great work. In for more pics.
After 9 years of ownership I sold it due to marriage and first kid on the way. Always vowed to make another one though. Checking out Knight Designs website now. Really leaning towards a season 4 dash this time around though. You replica looks awesome. Real attention to detail and very functional. Back when I built mine in 2002 there was not nearly the technology as there is today. Using tube style TVs in dash, no computers, VCR/DVD player mounted in trunk cause there was no "in dash" players at that time. Anyways, great work. In for more pics.
03-22-2013, 01:00 PM
#95
Supreme Member
Re: KITT Knight Rider Replica...
NICE '00 T/A you've got there! Never seen a real Maple Red one, I always thought that was a V6 only color. Looks awesome with the stupid rare 3 spoke '00-only twisty WS6's too!
05-02-2013, 05:52 PM
#96
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Re: KITT Knight Rider Replica...
I love KITT as much as anybody.
Btw, Nice car to the thread starter.
As a Buick guy but not a "turbo guy" I've looked for years to see someone put a turbo Buick drive line in a KITT replica. I think it would be sweet.
The '89 TTA Pace car IS a Buick Grand National motor in a TA.
Would love to see someone build a KITT with this combo.
Here is what it would sound like...
Btw, Nice car to the thread starter.
As a Buick guy but not a "turbo guy" I've looked for years to see someone put a turbo Buick drive line in a KITT replica. I think it would be sweet.
The '89 TTA Pace car IS a Buick Grand National motor in a TA.
Would love to see someone build a KITT with this combo.
Here is what it would sound like...
Last edited by buickman69; 05-02-2013 at 05:57 PM.
05-03-2013, 09:18 AM
#97
Re: KITT Knight Rider Replica...
It would be interesting. The car from the show sounded more like a supercharged V8 though. It was really a SBC-like V8 engine effect with a turbine sound added on top. There are places where you can hear the actual car without sound effects in the show, mistakes and what not. It usually sounded like a stock CFI car or a modded 350. Which is correct since that's actually what most of them had, both for different purposes.
10-02-2013, 04:26 PM
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Re: Kitt Knight Rider Replica...
yes they did but they didnt they used the 5.0 dual carb set up you can see the lower plate in goliath
