Cinema has a long-standing connection to the world of cars. Perhaps the best example is the Ford Mustang, which has appeared in hundreds of films and television series, but it's not the only one. Today we want to talk about " Knight Rider ," the American TV series from the 80s whose main characters were Michael Knight and his intelligent and indestructible 82 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, nicknamed KITT.
It may have been years since you last watched an episode of this four-season series, but if I say " KITT, I need you ," you'll surely remember the image of Michael calling his Pontiac using a watch. And if you remember that line, you'll also surely recall the dynamic red light on the front and the sound KITT made when it was "thinking." Let's uncover all its secrets.
What was the series “Fantastic Car” about?
"Knight Rider" was a series that was perfectly described in the intro of each episode ; an opening sequence that we fans knew by heart. Our grandmothers, or at least mine, would laugh every time we recited it as if it were a multiplication table.
The Fantastic Car is a fast-paced adventure of a man who does not exist in a world full of dangers. Michael Knight, a lonely young man embarked on a crusade to save the cause of the innocent, the defenseless, the weak, within a world of criminals operating outside the law.
Portrayed by David Hasselhoff , Michael Arthur Long was an undercover cop on a mission when he was discovered by criminals. After a high-speed chase in his Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, he was shot in the face. He was presumed dead, though Long was actually in critical condition. An organization rescued him , and after surgery, his face was replaced. They had also retrieved his Pontiac, equipping it with futuristic technology and artificial intelligence , making it practically a "human car."
This organization, the Foundation for Law and Order , is headed by Wilton Knight, who is the one funding the operation. From that moment on, since Michael Arthur Long had been presumed dead, he is given a new identity, calling himself Michael Knight, and is presented with his brand-new Pontiac Firebird Trans Am after it has undergone a meticulous upgrade process.
Mr. Wilton Knight dies and Devon Miles inherits his position . Bonnie Barstow was in charge of KITT's mechanics, maintenance, and repairs. Incidentally, the name KITT is an abbreviation of " Knight Industries Two Thousand ." The story revolves around Michael Knight and KITT, under the command of Devon Miles, who tried to defend themselves against murders and injustices committed by "the bad guys" in each of the 90 episodes and four seasons of the American series.
What roles did KITT, Fantastic Rider have?
In addition to the aforementioned artificial intelligence KITT, "Knight Rider" had a spectacular propulsion system, autonomous driving , a biological scanner, GPS tracker, X-rays, ejection seats, missile launchers, a listening device and much more, not forgetting the " Turbo Boost " function that we loved so much.
KITT and Michael were in constant contact. When Knight was driving, they could have a perfectly normal conversation about anything, while when they weren't together, they could communicate thanks to Michael's famous wristwatch . "KITT, come get me" or "KITT, I need you" were two of the most frequently repeated phrases throughout the series.
How many "KITT" were there and how did they simulate autonomous driving?
Many rumors have surfaced about how many Pontiac Firebird Trans Ams were used to film the series, something that remains unclear to this day, although it seems there were four or five , used depending on the type of scene, with a lighter version used only for jumps. You can imagine that, in an action series like this, with so few vehicles available, the body shop wasn't working against the clock, relying on a very efficient team of mechanics.
For scenes where KITT wasn't being driven by Michael Knight, in very close-up shots, they used a platform towed by a truck onto which the vehicle was mounted; a very common technique even today. However, for wider shots where the entire car (without a driver) and its wheels on the asphalt were clearly visible as it moved, a hollow seat with a driver hidden inside, using remote controls, like a driving school car, was the solution.
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Facts
The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am was born in the mid-70s, although the model used for "Knight Rider" was of the next generation, launched in 82. Due to its age and origin - it is an American car - the power and torque figures developed by its 5.0-liter V8 created by General Motors are difficult to find, although most data found speaks of power between 170 and 180 hp.
It is not a lot of "cavalry" for a vehicle of such displacement, but the oil crisis and the little performance that was extracted at that time did not help the manufacturers to stand out in this regard. Despite this, its torque allowed it to reach speeds in excess of 180 km/h.
David Hasselhoff
David Hasselhoff was born in the United States in 1952. It was precisely "Knight Rider" that catapulted him to fame in 1982. Subsequently, he played other roles in series and films of varying degrees of success, and is also fondly remembered for the hit series " Baywatch ," from 1989 to 2000, in which he played Mitch Buchannon. You probably remember his appearance in the Spanish comedy "Fuga de Cerebros 2" (Brain Drain 2). In addition, Hasselhoff is also passionate about music, having recorded several albums, and about theater.