Regular Car Review of KITT Replica

[Mechanicjay]

Jalopnik has posted a RCR of a KITT replica.

http://jalopnik.com/knight-rider-s-kitt ... 1785886498

I haven't watched the review itself, because mostly I can't stand RCR, but also, I'm pretty sure we all know how an '83 Trans-am drives....

Anyway, I've tried to come to the defence of KR in the Jalopnik comments a bit, but damn, people are just bitter and have grown up to have ZERO imagination....maybe that's the real reason a new KR series would never work

--Jason

[Mechanicjay]

Thankfully a related video brought me back from the brink. Much calmer now...I really need to get working here...

http://jalopnik.com/this-is-exactly-how ... 1644887418

[Assasinge]

Dude why'd you ruin KITT for me? XD juat kidding, that was a little disappointing to read actually, but it's totally understandable at the same time, considering my post about getting a Trans Am and modifying it and everything.

[Mechanicjay]

...considering my post about getting a Trans Am and modifying it and everything.

I've had a 3rd Gen Firebird build in my head for a loooong time. It's only time and money that's keeping me away.

[KITTfan]

Interesting test drive report

Haven't driven myself a 1982 or any other Trans-Am so don't really know how comfortable or quiet or fast the basic, production line version is. I have a V8 Magazine from 1983 which has a quick test drive report of the Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am in it's day and that car had the 5,0 TPi engine which they said it's pretty low powered. Knight Rider had higher powered engines though at least for some KITT cars.
I wonder if it has height adjust in the steering column? That might help for KITT gullwing steering as well? Switchpods might still be in the way though.
80's cars and especially sportscars like Pontiac Trans-Am body height was pretty low so it probably wasn't easy to get in and out anyway compared to cars today.

Visibility from driver's seat was probably better though thanks to the thin A-pillars. B-pillar though is quite wide though but rear window is panorama style so maybe that helps? For example Volkswagen Golf Mk2 (1983-1991) had quite wide C-pillar, probably wider than Trans-Am B-pillar and nowdays all pillars are thick and even windows are small so visibility isn't as good as 80's cars.

Wondering also how the long KITT nose handles speedbumps, especially if the car has been lowered a bit?

[RafaelLOJ]

I thought the review was hilarious!

I have a 91 Formula that I used as a replica... bought it with 150k miles... spent A LOT of $$$ upgrading / replacing suspension and things, it rides night and day difference now...

Yes, it takes time / practice to get good with the gull wing...
To add to the "difficulty", my car is a 5 speed...

I am not looking forward to trying it with the dash / pods in...
I think I'm going to make a "quick release pods" so I can quickly take them out, drive, then quickly put them in...

Rafael

[Mechanicjay]

Okay, I finally watched it. It gave me a couple chuckles. The RCR guy still kinda grates on me though.

[jup]

Had fun making a bunch of replies.

Never actually thought about how tight the driver's seat was. Not a fan of being so scrunched up like that.

[Assasinge]

Ugh. I'm not even that tall but somehow I'm still determined to go out there and get a KITT replica. I'm gonna do it. Trust me. Then you'll see me post pics of it here on the forum. Soon. SOON.

[RafaelLOJ]

Yeah, I'm 6 foot 2... 2 inches shorter than the hoff...
I did upgrade the bottom seat frame, so it has a manual recline (the whole seat bottom) which helps...
And I bought a set of Billy Gunter's "seat distance lengthen-er", but not installed yet... They move the seat back to 2 other options...

Kudo's to the new board upgrade... for the first time ever, I'm getting notices via email there are new responses!

Rafael