Building an 80s TV icon: KITT from Knight Rider by Aoshima Step by Step 1982 Pontiac Trans-Am

One of the biggest shows of the 80s, even if you weren't a car fan. Kids everywhere stared at the screen enamored by the black Trans-Am Turbo Boosting into action each week. In this video we build a season 1 KITT or Knight Industries Two Thousand from the show Knight Rider. We even install the LEDs for the electronic 'eye' of KITT or his scanner. Follow along step by step as we relive our childhood!
Want to build your own Knight Rider car with working lights? While not the same as I used in this video, Evan Designs does a Knight Rider circuit with LEDs that you can put into your own model. Just follow the link!
evandesigns.com/products/knig...
I buy most of my import kits from: hobbysense.ca/collections/aut... or from www.1999.co.jp/eng/car/
I buy all my supplies from: www.sunwardhobbies.ca/
00:00 Intro
00:57 Chassis
03:45 Interior
06:15 Body Prep
08:08 Final Assembly
10:52 Complete!!
Want to help Support Scale Auto Garage? Feel free to buy me a coffee. Become a supporter to be entered each month for a chance to have one of my previous builds sent to you free of charge! The Garage is getting too full!
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For the KZbin algorithm: Knight Rider KITT by Aoshima with LED lighting 1/24 1/25 scale plastic model car kit building built Airbrush decal paint hasegawa Fujimi Aoshima Revell amt round2 Johan mobius mpc good restore restoration mokei plamo boxer hpi guys small world jun's mini garage
#knightrider #kitt #knightindustriestwothousand

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Are you a Knight Rider fan? How well do you remember KITT?

[@CarDreamsinStyrene]

I always loved Knight rider.... great build and great video too

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@claytonthomas1980]

From the theme music and then seeing the car on the TV screen you know for sure that is knight rider for sure

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Yup! Love it.

[@Jayke1981]

Seeing the bodywork stripped and painted white before repainted black so reminded me of the Junkyard Dog episode. When KITT ended up being destroyed by toxic waste.

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Haha awesome. Yeah that version of Kitt was pretty cool in the white primer. Not one of my favorite episodes but certainly a memorable one. Thanks so much for watching.

[@tjfSIM]

fantastic job! The glossy black paintwork is particularly impressive.

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Thank you so much for saying.

[@BOABModels]

Really nice job! I love the shine on that black paint - like the lid of a grand piano.

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

haha love it! Grand Piano. Thanks for saying Thomas.

[@BOABModels]

@@ScaleAutoGarage you're welcome. I've not built anything in black for ages and certainly not since I started polishing - maybe I should try using it again.

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

I hate black. Haha. I love it but hate it, so easy to see scratches and marks. I used the Mr color gloss and it laid down pretty good but there are a few places that you can see it is not great and no way I was able to sand and polish like on top of the windshield, just too thin and I would sand through in seconds. After doing Dom's car and now this one, I think I will stay away from black for a little while. 😂😂😂

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Nice build Spencer! You nailed it on this one. Perfect!

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Thanks James, glad you liked it.

[@michaelhintzmikesminiature1812]

Awesome build!!! brings back memories!!! Love It!!!!

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@waleedhassan798]

That’s an amazing finish on the body work. Excellent

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Thanks! It is a great feeling when you polish out that clear coat and can see into that smooth surface.

[@waleedhassan798]

@@ScaleAutoGarage honestly very well done.

[@FEC1968]

You got so lucky to find that scanner! I’m looking for one for years now.

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Yes super lucky but I did end up paying more for it than I did the kit. I would suggest checking Evans designs for their knight rider scanner kit, link in the description of this video, as their kit is easy to use and works with the aoshima kit no problem.

[@apachehelicopterah64]

Another really awesome build. I’m enjoying these a lot!

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Glad you are enjoying. I also enjoy putting them together so it is a win win 😁😁

[@JG-Toy]

Wow! cool ! looks like real! very good job and you did a great job of the interior👏👏👏👏🏆

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Thanks so much for saying. I really appreciate your support and watching my videos.

[@TI4438]

This came out real nice.

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Thanks so much!

[@Hassan_Omer]

Great video!!! This assembly looks quite sophisticated.

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Thank you. While not the most complicated build, I feel this is one of the most solid builds I have done. This really is a great kit and fully recommended.

[@phoenixblack1220]

Fabulous work!

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed.

[@CavemanGaming]

Just an FYI: All Gen 3 cars have their gas tanks under the rear axle, you painted the rear trunk floor silver, that is not the gas tank. Just letting you know. Great build.

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Haha fair enough. I know zero about the Pontiac Trans Am other than how awesome it was in the show. Thanks for the info.

[@Wesley_C]

This kit is a best Spy Car classic, such as, James Bond.

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

I have to agree!!

[@woofaki5550]

Hello my friend,it would be amazing if KITT could be turned to an RC car.I think Wltoys RC chassis are very close to this.

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Agree it would be cool to see this as an RC but maybe this one is a little small? I think most RC I see are 1/18 scale and this one is 1/24. I could be wrong tho.

[@woofaki5550]

@@ScaleAutoGarage If you are interested,WLtoys RC mini cars like K989 are 1/28 And could fit with some small modifications :)

[@thescalemodelcarguychannel8681]

Awesome build brother very cool build!

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Thanks so much Shawn. Glad you enjoyed the build.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Really nice!!!

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@hobycrak]

Good job!

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Thank you.

[@heliweis]

Great Respect !!!

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Thank you so much.

[@JohnPol]

turn out great been watching you for awell now you do great work

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Thanks so much for the kind words. I appreciate it.

[@ScaleVehicles]

I didn't even know you had a KZbin channel! great work! 😍

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Thanks so much for checking out my channel!!

[@BGsModelWorkshop]

Always been very curious about the Aoshima kit. I had no idea there was a light kit for it! Very cool sir!!

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Thanks Bryan. The kit is pretty simple especially without the engine but it goes together so well and is dedicated, not repurposed like the MPC kit. The original lighting kit is pretty hard to find but aoshima did release the kit as a set with the lighting kit included and you can find them on ebay if you are willing to fork the coin. Evans Designs does a great and affordable lighting kit for the Knight Rider car and it can be used on either the MPC or the aoshima kit. Link to the kit is in the description. If you want to see the lighting kit installed, look up onyxfiero on KZbin. He built the MPC one with the Evans lights. I think Evans even has lights for the enterprise you are building.....

[@BGsModelWorkshop]

@@ScaleAutoGarage Thanks for insight. I had been wanting to score the Aoshima kit for a while, but prices had been keeping me from pulling the trigger. I had the MPC kit and sold it as soon as I took a look inside. I was hoping the Aoshima kit was better and it appears to be! I may look into the light kit for the Enterprise. This one is for my Uncle, but the next one will be for me and maybe go to a show or two. 😊

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

@@BGsModelWorkshop don't be fooled by prices being high. Aoshima is still releasing this kit regularly in Japan and so there is no reason for the basic kit price to be high. The kit retail is about $30 in Japan and you can get season 1 or season 4 versions which have the different dashboards. There is also an SPM version available as well. The one I did here is the season 1 with the dual video screens on the dash. www.1999.co.jp/eng/m/10077591 This is the one I bought. It will be restocked again I am sure.

[@BGsModelWorkshop]

@@ScaleAutoGarage Thank you!! 😊 I'm planning a trip to IPMS Nationals in August. Maybe a slight chance I can score one there. 🤞

[@knightrcer]

Wow, that model looks amazing. Not like the junk we got growing up but the toy likeness we all wished we had as kids. If you had to ballpark a figure, how much would you consider selling them each for with all the work and passion you put into making that model?

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Unfortunately the kit and light set are quite expensive, over $100 to get them together now. There is a cheaper light kit available but it doesn't just screw in like this one does. The kits are still easy to get including the season 3/4 dash version and then run about $50. I would say the kit completed as such is worth about $200, which would also get you one of the nice 1/18 scale versions as well.

[@claytonthomas1980]

@@ScaleAutoGarage good grief but then again it won't be a perfect build without spending a little more money to make it happen

[@xtremer_daredevil5950]

One question, did you prime the interior before your airbursh?

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

This will depend on the model, for this one, I did not prime first. Since the colors were so similar, it wasn't really necessary. Also interiors are not handled that much so I feel they don't need the additional protection of the primer.

[@ark9515]

Tutorial how how to wire and solder the scanner?

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

it was just purchased all complete so no need to do any wiring. I think there are ways of making this but you would have to do a youtube search and see.

[@facundorodriguez5581]

Ola buenas noches disculpen Soi un fas del auto in kreibe i me gustaría yo saber si me podrían in formar komo podría yo konsejir el auto ke están armando en el vídeo porfavor grasias

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

This one is the Aoshima kit and should be availbe from any Japanese import shop. The model is still in production and a new version with the LED light and a sound file is due to be released this summer.

[@user-mp3sn1gw2q]

구매해서 조립하고 싶다.😇

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

It is a very well done kit and you should build one as well!

[@user-mp3sn1gw2q]

@@ScaleAutoGarage Thanks and I'm not sure about US prices. If it is available for purchase, do I need to apply for an international courier service?

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

@@user-mp3sn1gw2q I bought mine from Japan at www.1999.co.jp and had to ship it to Canada but check with your local hobby store. The kit is still available at regular retail.

[@clintkeene1146]

Awesome. I’d pay you to build me one

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

You are in luck as Aoshima has recently released this kit again WITH the scanner and a new voice box with recordings from the Japanese show. I can do without the voice box but the scanner was impossible to find for many years.

[@clintkeene1146]

I understand

[@katsscalemodelling5514]

Did you design the PCB for the scanner light? I got in touch with the company you linked and they only do the wired version.

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

The one I used in this video was sold by Aoshima when the original model was first sold. The light set is no longer available by Aoshima which is why I link to the custom one in the description. If you look on ebay there are sometimes the model with the light set included available to buy but it is very expensive now, well over $100 USD.

[@katsscalemodelling5514]

@@ScaleAutoGarage much appreciated dude, Cheers 👍

[@Alxjndr00]

Another question: the wheels roll? or do they stay fixed? Because I am finding comments from online buyers who say that after mounting the car, the wheels stay fixed and do not roll.

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

The wheels definitely roll without a problem.

[@bigcharliesmodelgarage296]

Very nice build. Thanks for sharing. Where did you get the light kit?

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

I got the kit from a shop in Australia. I was lucky to find it to be honest. You can get the kit and LED set on ebay for about $100 which is not too far off from what I ended up paying anyway.

[@bigcharliesmodelgarage296]

@@ScaleAutoGarage ok thank you. I have a kit no lights.

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

@@bigcharliesmodelgarage296 Evan designs does a knight rider led kit that is awesome and affordable. It is not on the board like the official one but it works amazing and can be installed in the aoshima kit with little hassle and of course the kit already has a spot for the switch. Just look up Evans designs knight rider and it should come up with Google.

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

@@bigcharliesmodelgarage296 I will add the link to the description of this video.

[@bigcharliesmodelgarage296]

@@ScaleAutoGarage ok thank you very much

[@sdan5684]

Does it have a voice ?

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

This one does not but the new release from Aoshima does have the light and a voice with the kit. This latest release was out just a few months ago so if you are interested in it then scoop one up as quick as possible as they won't last. Only thing for me is, the voice is in Japanese so not all the same phrases you would get from the North American show.

[@Alxjndr00]

What season is it?

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

This is from season 1.

[@Alxjndr00]

@@ScaleAutoGarage And in season 1 do you have the bottom lights in sight? As far as I know, I had them covered with a grid.

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

@@Alxjndr00 there is a piece in the kit for the grid over the lower lights. I didn't put this on as it really covers them and in my opinion, doesn't look as good. Just my opinion of course.

[@Alxjndr00]

​@@ScaleAutoGarage The LED light bar are in red colour? Or are they rather orange as they appear in the video? Or is it just the effect of recording the image?

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

@@Alxjndr00 it is red, as it is supposed to be. The video may have altered the color a little.

[@whocares6965]

aoshima did a way better job than mpc did for that kit

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

Facts my friend!