Growing up, Knight Rider was my everything, and 8-year old me thought that KITT was just the coolest thing ever. And who could blame me? This was the original self-driving car – long before Tesla or any modern autonomous vehicle, KITT’s cybernetic processors allowed it to track enemies, talk, and drive itself. Plus, it had that cool red scanner in the grill, that gullwing steering wheel, and it could jump over a ravine. Totally bad ass!
If you were like me, you probably wondered what it’d be like to drive around town in KITT, following in David Hasselhoff’s footsteps as the legendary Michael Knight. And now, thanks to the car sharing service Turo, you can finally live out your Knight Rider fantasy, as there is a KITT replica car available for rent in Los Angeles, for a pretty reasonable $175 a day.
This isn’t just any KITT replica, it’s a passion project owned by Jon G., a Turo host who grew up as a massive Knight Rider fan. The base is a 1989 Pontiac Firebird powered by a Chevy 305 small-block V8 churning out around 180 horsepower. Jon purchased the car with the bodywork already done but personally assembled all the dashboard electronics himself, meticulously hunting down show-correct KITT pieces to match one of the several dashboard variations used over the show’s four seasons.
The attention to detail is impressive. The car features the asymmetrical hood bump and T-tops from the original series, along with front fenders and blacked-out taillights sourced from an ’82 Trans-Am for maximum show accuracy. The body has been recently repainted with flawless nose work, and Jon continues to perfect the details, from lights and buttons to tracking down the correct (and expensive) seats from the show.
What really sets this replica apart is the fully functional dashboard complete with a talking KITT voicebox. It’s like stepping directly into the TV show. The iconic red LED scanner adorns the nose, and those signature T-tops let you cruise with the wind in your hair. For those who want a more comfortable driving experience, the “gullwing” steering wheel can be swapped out for a stock wheel—though where’s the fun in that?
Jon has also thoughtfully added modern conveniences, including a CD/MP3/Bluetooth stereo with USB inputs, so you can blast your favorite ’80s tunes while you cruise the streets of LA. Super pursuit mode not included (unfortunately).
The owner says that his car “turns more heads than a neon green Lamborghini”, and he’s probably right. It’s one of the best replicas you’ll find anywhere. The car has already been a hit at birthday parties, with glowing reviews from renters who’ve used it to make special occasions unforgettable. Whether you’re planning a themed party, want to make a grand entrance at an event, or just want to cruise Sunset Boulevard in the coolest car of the ’80s, this KITT replica delivers.
So what do you say, who’s ready to re-live their childhood dreams and take KITT out for a night on the town? Then grab your leather jacket, unbutton your shirt, and practice your Michael Knight impression as you roam the streets of LA, fighting crime and chasing perps! This is your best chance to experience what it was really like to be behind the wheel of the most iconic TV car of all time.
Photo credit: Turo
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