Knight Rider Replica Full Project Build video

In May 2019 I purchased a 1987 Pontiac Trans am 5.0L V8 and although it had a couple of knight bits already on it the car was an absoloute mess so I spent the next year and a half converting it into an exact knight rider replica from the 1982 tv show. Most of the parts I had to import in from the US and some parts were almost impossible to get hold of too.
This build has taken me a couple thousand hours and a lot of money but it was worth it in the end. I documented the whole build with pictures and some videos so I have put together this video showing my process and how I have transformed the car into a beautiful knight rider kitt.
Enjoy

[@randybutler1697]

I've always wanted a KITT car....when I was younger, I purchased a black trans-am and tried to do a few things that mimicked KITT...that's because I couldn't afford to do like what's in this video, but I'm glad to see that someone can.....love it

[@FunkyProjects]

I spoke to a woman a couple of years back that was actually the mum of a boy I used to play with when i was about 8 years old and he had the knight rider pedal go kart and his mum told me he once came home crying because I kicked his knight rider go kart because he wouldn't let me have a go in it. lol. At the time this woman didn't even know I had built a kitt replica and we all laughed when she told us the story... ha ha..

[@semectual]

A late 80s to early 90s Pontiac restored back in to an 80s time capsule K.I.T.T. Car! Well done Sir! Great Video!

[@antonischatzianestiadis5776]

You re never bored that car .

[@davidc9441]

Love the way the dash went in first before all the other restoration 😂. Clearly couldn’t wait 😂

[@victorcabral5236]

Dude. U r my hero lol, i will have my own kitt some day and i hope i can get mine to come out nearly as great as yours. Your kitt is absolutely gorgeous you've done a phenomenal job, excellent work.

[@nizmo0300]

Hello Paul. I live here in Florida & purchased a 1982 Trans Am T-top from Georgia. Just a shell. I'm starting my journey to build one as nice as yours. Thank you for your video. Enjoy your ride. Thanks again Paul.

[@michaelbranch3583]

Of all the Movie,TV Shows,and Cable Channel Vehicles of the 80's KITT is by far the Coolest and most Iconic of them all.and it is Awesome to see fans who still hold fond memories of this Legendary Masterpiece.So to Paul Nicholls I say Enjoy That Car To The Fullest,and Long Live Knight Industries Two Thousand.

[@KIOK]

Some stellar work! Looks Phenomenal. Take pride in that Beauty!!

[@FunkyProjects]

Cheers buddy. Building my 2nd one now though and it's even better 😉

[@brandonpierce5507]

I always wanted a kitt car too looks fun to redo a Pontiac Trans am to be a Kitt like in Knight Rider

[@peggy8526]

Im so speechless over this. I absolutely love knight rider. you did a fantastic job. I know your proud. I absolutely love it. Thank you for sharing your video. ❤😊😊

[@FunkyProjects]

Thanks peggy

[@eevialasalmi5834]

@@FunkyProjects cool kitt car i love it

[@eevialasalmi5834]

@@FunkyProjects i love your kitt sooo much

[@eevialasalmi5834]

@@FunkyProjects please say something on to my comment now please 😊

[@FunkyProjects]

@@eevialasalmi5834 hey buddy, thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you like my build

[@theneone111]

Very cool. I’d love to do something like this. You’re an inspiration.

[@shanterichardson9258]

K. I.T.T. Is my dream car, before I leave this earth I will have that car for myself. I just want to know what it feels like to actually have it in my possession and to drive it, alone.

[@FunkyProjects]

Taking him out for a drive on your own in the country with some 80's music playing is out of this world. For me its 35 years of waiting and watching it on tv to finally in it yourself driving. A feeling like no other car could give me except maybe a couple of other movie cars. 😁

[@stevenweiler1379]

I would love this in my tv room as my set up with my 65inch tv on the dashboard kicking back in the seats

[@jonny_meehan]

I love Knight Rider and that is awesome!! Well done bud.

[@themechanic9398]

Just seen the news article about this. Well done. Looks like you have done an amazing job.

[@FunkyProjects]

Thanks Ian

[@mattayres371]

Arrrr!! Absolutely fantastic!! Come and build one for me. 🤔😉👍

[@FunkyProjects]

Ok, £30k for parts and £30k for my labour ha 😁😁

[@PepeMV1971]

Impressive . Great work. Congratulations. Greettings from Spain

[@JBandMachine]

Its crazy the amount of pictures you amass along the way! Nice work brother.

[@FunkyProjects]

cheers John, yeah this video took me about 20 hours to make with getting all the pictures together and video then editing and putting effects together etc

[@skumar1014]

Great stuff. Appreciate your commitment for the series 👍 and the hard work to get things into shape.....

[@FunkyProjects]

thanks buddy

[@phoenixblack1220]

Absolutely stunning! Great work!

[@nickylarson8174]

Magnifique, min rêve d'enfant serait d'en avoir une. Très beau travail, bravo.

[@chrisdavis8844]

Hey dude I'm such a huge fan of knight rider

[@MrJeep75]

Awesome job

[@SunshineMix101]

😎😎😎 'Great video. 'Great project. Well done" Thanks for sharing. 😎😎😎

[@DemetrisDPapa]

awesome job man. Very talented in doing this on your own! bravo

[@FunkyProjects]

thanks demetris :-)

[@davethomas8410]

Beautiful KITT

[@lorithorpe3502]

wow , that looks beautiful , & such a lovely shine to it too . brilliant .👍

[@GeneralLee0178]

Nice K.I.T.T is done, now time to get working on K.A.R.R

[@lyndonbrock8684]

Awesome build

[@JSinz007]

Absolutely brilliant job mate!

[@FunkyProjects]

thanks buddy

[@yazzjazz6765]

Thats just a crazy long long work ! 🤩🤩🤩

[@Vlaryn]

Nice Lines. Looks really clean. Awesome job.

[@Samuel-gc6js]

Yay! So glad you went for the season 2/3 nose!

[@rv308]

Réalisation incroyable bravo 👍

[@digitalmagicAR]

Must be a dream come true! Awesome car! I think I also like the older style 2 TV dash better

[@sergedisdier5661]

votre voiture plus belle que l'original , travail soignée du début jusqu'à a la fin . encore félicitation .😁👍

[@Raymondlopez3Dee]

Mann i wish I had the money to build me one cuz that is one badass car!

[@dimachesebastian6407]

knight rider computer desk would me awsome. hidding all pc in dash with some real buttons comands. monitor on top. the desk will be L shaped. The wheel will be replace by keyboad tray.

[@enjolras76]

you bloody beauty!!!! Congrats!

Nice replica of KITT.

[@eevialasalmi5834]

Funky projects im so proud of you

[@tonyr9235]

Awesome, awesome work. Great attention to detail. As a kid I also was a HUGE fan of Knight Rider! What boy wasn't lol? Few questions--Where'd you find all the interior tan pieces? They actually looked brand new. Why did you go with a manual instead of an auto? Only car you could find? Looked like it was maybe originally a GTA--due to the seats and door panels. Did it originally have a digital dash? I noticed your hvac controls are from a digital dash car. Does it work? Does the gauges and screens work in the dash itself? Lastly, why the gaming control? Atari lol? Love how it came out. That's passion and dedication there my friend, and it shows 👍🏻.

[@FunkyProjects]

I got the manual because this was the only one I could find for sale which had the v8 engine. Most people never notice it's even a manual anyway. I got a lot of the parts from the US , Italy and Holland. Most parts you need will need importing though from US. Yes I believe it was a digital dash. I still have more things to add yet so it will look even nicer over the next couple of years. I will upload more videos as I do things 👍

[@tonyr9235]

@@FunkyProjects Nice. I can't wait for more updates. Keep up the great work.

[@michaelb9664]

A lot of time and effort has gone into this and credit where it’s due. There are a few things not quite right though. Manual transmission being the main thing, although I appreciate you have to to work with the car you can get your hands on, but also the all important Turbo Boost, Oil Slick, Ski Mode etc, etc button pods either side of the steering wheel are missing. Still looks like a nice job has a been made though 👍

[@FunkyProjects]

Yeah I went with manual as I didn't want to spend a long time waiting for an auto. Also with regards to the switchpod buttons I will be adding them later this year as I'm getting a brand new front dash with gullwing and switchpod.

[@argonautsuk]

I'd love 💘 to be photographed in ur vehicle Sir 😁😎. Fantastic 👏 👏 job. Well done 🏆

[@Chris-tx9ou]

absolutely outstanding, This is my dream project did you find the car in the UK or import are there any good forums for advice on this type of project. congratulations K.I.T.T is stunning

[@FunkyProjects]

Hi Chris, I actually bought this from London. If you join some knight rider facebook groups that will be a good place to start :-)

[@Chris-tx9ou]

@@FunkyProjects Many years ago a webiste KOE - knights of Englad was on the go- I will look them up of FB many thanks , once again your K.I.T.T. is outstanding

[@user-sw4kb1lr5c]

I love it.

[@flapanteriore]

Grande lavoro

[@Padddow]

Absolutely amazing! Bravo!

[@brad9529]

Very nice job #jealous 😀

[@veciohag74]

Grande Supercar !

[@rouser301]

I drove one of these in the 90s. You can't believe how dangerous it is to have 80% of the steering wheel missing until you actually try it.

[@FunkyProjects]

I found it strange at first but once I got used to it it's fine and actually very comfortable. To be honest in some ways it's easier than a round one. Once you drive one for a few weeks I'm sure you would find it a lot more comfortable. 😁👍

[@The2Coolest2]

Very good

[@rosssmith7306]

Wow great achievement

[@kitt28]

very nice, did you cut out a big hole in the power window area? mine was clean, so i just cut out two holes for my power window switches, later i added my 1 season lower console, Why did you do cut such a big hole in the power window area? Im just wondering. was you luck enough to find the correct color seatbelts or did you have them painted to match KITT?

[@wesdionne278]

Hi, Quite an amazing accomplishment including the Knight Rider metal door seams (which I should point out that I have never seen before. either at the Carl Custom Auto Show or the other replica's on here so great!) but I do have a few questions for you. I've noticed on the lower dash that you have a set of green buttons behind the red buttons instead of a set of white buttons behind the red buttons on Chris Blasius's Knight Rider replica on here. Also, on the upper console, you have red buttons on the side instead of the green and red LED's and no digital gauge on the front as well as a different array of colored push buttons on the flat underside. Plus your rpm gauge seems to be flickering instead of just showing 0 or idling, which we can't hear. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't mind explaining these differences please??

[@FunkyProjects]

The lower console is an exact replica from the tv show, they may not light up in the exact way because I wanted them to be lit at all times as it's better for shows. The upper console is again screen accurate. The upper console you are referring to is the pilot one I believe which includes the digital countdown etc. That is just a different style of console but both I believe were used in season 1/2. Also the reason why my dash is flickering is just because of the camera and frame rate etc. Dash works fine.

[@Jonesy-c9w]

CONGRATS 🎉 You're A 👑 I 💖 KITT

[@Cellamotors]

Hi, what are those little speakers towards end with wires? Just curious if they are for remote?

[@FunkyProjects]

Which speakers not sure what you mean

[@Cellamotors]

@@FunkyProjects tiny little ones you show pic of at end of your video with wires comming out of them ends to a little circuit board . Only asking because I found a few under my kitt, but not sure what they are for.

[@q8knight795]

I like that you dont have the pods on your strering wheel gives you more room as a tall driver myself i am thinking of removing mine too. How did you fit it closer to the dash?

[@FunkyProjects]

I didn't have pods on my last kitt but the new kitt that I am going to start building in the next few weeks will have pods. I know it makes it more of a squeeze to get in but I think any good replica has to have them unless of course you can't physically get in if pods were installed.

[@q8knight795]

@@FunkyProjects yes mine has the pods but at 6 foot i find the steering wheel to be to close to me so i am thinking of removing them

[@FunkyProjects]

that's fair enough, I guess it just comes down to your own personal choice 👍

[@q8knight795]

@@FunkyProjects either that or I install a seat extension so i have more room

[@superbrownbrown]

Nice! Well done!

[@almadigitallda7663]

Love it

[@appyvan219]

$30k later and it still needs an autograph from David lol. Should have came to me for the scanner. I sell cheaper ones for $50. I wasn't gonna pay $500 for that thing so I started making my own.

[@flaming_skull]

Where do you get the parts like the interior tale lights nose and scanner

[@FunkyProjects]

Various places in Europe and the US for parts. Things like pmd Seats and the rear lights etc you often just have to keep an eye out on groups etc because they will all be used parts. It can be a challenge getting everything be cause some parts are kitt parts and some are normal transam parts and these cars are getting older every year 👍

[@customdoctor]

dude, on season 1 - 2 dash in your replica is matte, and the car that was used with that dash was the 1982 - 1983 one

[@FunkyProjects]

yes the car from show was based on the 1982 transam, my main dash is painted in a gloss black colour because the front dash came with the car otherwise i would have painted it with a matt black the same as what I did with my upper and lower consoles. I use matt black because it's better when you drive if suns out otherwise it blinds you when driving because of reflections. I think most of the episodes had a matt colour dashboard but there may have been some episodes where he had a gloss black style too. Over the 4 seasons of knight rider there were lots of changes they made sometimes from one episode to the next. For example some episodes he actually had a hard top roof and some episodes he had a different style front nose.

[@poszzy69]

Just a quick question, where did you get all the parts from?

[@FunkyProjects]

various places, some from rock auto in the US, other parts from europe and some uk.

[@poszzy69]

@@FunkyProjects wow didnt think you will respond this fast after 3 years! Anyways thanks, still i have a problem bc i am in germany

[@FunkyProjects]

@@poszzy69 yes i always try and respond to comments 🙂

[@michaelknight2721]

You have done an amazing job But i was wondering what is the joystick for?

[@FunkyProjects]

oh c'mon you must know what that is Michael Knight? :-) :-) it's for playing the Atari computer on the tv screens like he did in the episodes :-) :-)

[@Mythbuster3808]

Damn it was already is amazing condition compared to the other builds iv seen where the car is literally rust

[@FunkyProjects]

It's why I always advise people that want to build a kitt to get a good base vehicle first because otherwise you could spend lots of money on the kitt parts only to have a chassis that is falling apart 👍

[@JasonsCars84]

Hi mate, I watch all your videos and I’m really amazed at all you do and done. I’m looking on creating my own Knight Rider Kitt project and I am in need of some guidance and was hoping you can help me out please. I’m trying to become an upcoming KZbinr and have got a bit of a following as of now, was, and am hoping we can help each other out in becoming more known from KZbin and hopefully making it big in the KZbin sector for earning us some money. It’s difficult to find people or anyone in the UK building a Knight Rider Kitt car but I’ve known of you for quite some time now and thought I’ll contact you. I’m looking forward to hearing back from you, and again absolutely amazed at all you do, hopefully speak to you soon. Many thanks Jason

[@FunkyProjects]

cheers buddy, kitt building here in the uk is certainly becoming less and less popular as time goes on, mainly I think because the cost of things but also because the 3rd gens are getting harder and harder to find without spending a fortune.

[@samandharmapriya3972]

Awesome

[@TonyMarony73]

Almost exact replica. Original 1982 K.I.T.T didn't have seatbelts. But nice work.

[@FunkyProjects]

Ha ha, well if you want to drive these cars on the road then we need seat belts 😁😁😁😁👍

[@jasonmaedl8430]

Nice job! Working on one myself! Question, did yours have all the replica parts we see at the beginning already installed?

[@FunkyProjects]

No mate, I fitted just about everything. The front main dash came with the car but most of it didnt work so I had to fix it up. TVs didnt work either. Most of exterior I did too. The only thing I left on outside was wheels but I still had to put new tyres on and pain the caps 👍

[@jasonmaedl8430]

@@FunkyProjects oh nice. Clearly a labor of love! It's amazing that you found one that came with at least some parts. I couldn't even find a trans am. Starting with a base Firebird here, and the inside is dark red 🙄 I am scouring for interior parts and just ordered my first round of replica parts. Would you mind if I picked your brain now and again as to how you did some of it?

[@FunkyProjects]

sure no problem. Facebook is probably best to get hold of me and ask questions

[@GrahamWeatherby]

Hello any chance of visiting to see the car now in Norwich back to NZ next week

[@FunkyProjects]

I sold the last kitt but im now building a new one

[@GrahamWeatherby]

@FunkyProjects yes I see that so no chance to visit was planning a trip there before we leave

[@FunkyProjects]

He's just been picked up and being taken to get paint work. It will be going past norwich soon though 😁😁

[@andrewwilkinson9961]

Spot on m8

[@mattayres371]

U must be buzzing!! 😁👋

[@trevornicholls9720]

Hi Paul my name is Trevor Nicholls i live in burnham bucks and I have just bought a pontiac firebird to convert do you have any older kitt part spare parts available

[@FunkyProjects]

Hi trevor. You have a busy time ahead of you that's for sure 😄, regarding the parts, I only have a couple of bits. Send me a message through my facebook group. Knight Rider East Coast and I can send some pics 👍

[@scottl2670]

if i even get the chance to have one,ill spend the extra so the car actually talk back and not just clips from the show. They have the software that makes that possible.. plus there is a guy who built one that Actually has automatic open doors and hatch.

[@FunkyProjects]

that is something I will be adding next year as I am buying a new main dashboard so when I install that I will install the software as well which allows me to have a conversation with kitt etc. The car is finished to a good standard but I will be upgrading things and adding extra things over the next year or so but I will upload all videos on my channel here when I have done new things to the car :-)

[@MotorScotti]

Very nice job! The new nose is a huge improvement from the one that was on the car before. Did you get yours from Knight Passions, too?

[@FunkyProjects]

thank you, yes knight passions, season 2 classic or something I think, I can't remember exactly but to be honest most of them looked pretty nice compared to my old one

[@MotorScotti]

@@FunkyProjects True! ;-) Mine has the season 2 classic nose, but I took the grill bars out for the lights. Enjoy it!

[@FunkyProjects]

thanks, oh and just so you know your video of you doing your conversion a while ago is what i watched about 18 months ago which first gave me the inspiration to do my own conversion, i thought yours came out really well :-)

[@grantwedgbrow9997]

Wow, mate, that is absolutely amazing. What a great job you have done Paul. Thanks for sharing your video. Please keep posting updates. Do you have an Instagram profile I can follow? Cheers, Grant.

[@FunkyProjects]

Thanks Grant, not on Instagram at the moment but maybe will be at some point in the near future 👍

[@grantwedgbrow9997]

@@FunkyProjects No worries Paul. Thanks for the reply anyway mate, keep the videos coming!

[@DougZbikowski]

Props for the Atari joystick 😂

[@samiullaskar353]

Can I get the same night rider? What it costs for purchase one

[@vincentpaulmirabellaiifilm3613]

IS THIS KITT CAR KIT ABLE TO BE USED ON A 1993 FIREBIRD???

[@FunkyProjects]

No not really as kitt is based on the 3rd gens 1982 - 1992. You could still do your own custom build but to make life much easier you need to start with the 3rd gen 👍

[@johnteniteni8423]

Good morning everybody from New Zealand 🇳🇿 John Teni Teni

[@Jonesy-c9w]

OMG 😲 I 💖 KITT 💖 ❤ ♥ 💗

[@L.O.S.T.YOUnited]

😍 🔝 🤗 🤠 😇 🆒 😉

[@joshuaharper4439]

Would you or do you build these for others

[@FunkyProjects]

It's not something I normally do no but it depends on exactly what you need.

[@emilydaleakersgilliland2030]

Did you get kitt to talk?

[@lordhave4420]

Amazing! Around how much?

[@barbschroeder2401]

🎈

[@lordhave4420]

@@barbschroeder2401 what

[@2010HarleyDynaFXD]

I wonder if anybody did the FLAG semi replica or Goliath replica?

[@_Arovin]

Der rechte Monitor von den beiden hat den falschen Winkel, sieht komisch aus. Aber trotzdem, gratuliere!

[@willembeltman]

Imagen building chat gpt into it

[@wesdionne278]

Oooops, I'm sorry, what I meant was after a set of green buttons then you have a set of red buttons on the lower dash.

[@jesuspm1507]

para conseguir tener un coche idéntico al de ls serie se necesita dedicar,e como mínimo un año entero de trabajo

[@RealArcalian]

wow. is it street legal?

[@FunkyProjects]

Yes

[@RealArcalian]

@@FunkyProjects awesome!

[@tntrtswrsmurf]

its better than Bugatti La Voiture Noire

[@jamiehall8272]

red LED doesnt look right for me, the rest looks awesome

[@FunkyProjects]

It's because of the camera. This happens a lot when using video. The scanner was working perfectly 👍

[@jamiehall8272]

@@FunkyProjects ah ok...fair enough...also wow must have spent a fortune...but glad we have one in the UK

[@scottl2670]

otherwise the car is awesome

[@-tom-tronic-]

Buhhhhh !!!! KITT was never a Manual Gear ! Worst Replica ever :D

[@FunkyProjects]

It's a good job I sold that car then Tom 😁, I'm now building my kitt number 2 and this one is auto 😁😁

[@-tom-tronic-]

@@FunkyProjects I was jokin man. Awesome Job ! I only can imagine how much work and Money this is... keep it up ! Greetz

[@FunkyProjects]

Ha, I loved that car but decided to move it on but then 6 months later another transam come up at a good price so I thought I would do it all over again 🙈🤦‍♂️

[@seko2426]

What have you done 😱...to me!!😊😉!!God damn it, I'm so fuckin envious!! ...😖😡😤😂🤣😂🤣!! Dude, you've my deepest and honest respect!!!! You did a great Job!!No... an amazing Job!! That's for sure, period. What does K.I.T.T take money? The costs??🧏🏻‍♂️....tell me 🙆🏻‍♂️, because I need to know!! I'm a big Knight Rider Fan and an ardent worshiper of the "Knight Industries two thousand (K.I.T.T.)"!!! God is my witness, I idolized that Car!! I know all about KITT!!! Every single button. It's color, form and function! The Scanner 😍❣️!!! YEAH.... It's a dream to sit in KITT and drive a bit!! It was a wish and is still present 🤣😂...never mind that I'm 51 now! And the show is 40years old ! Don't care!! Just Turbo Boost and jump 😜🥳!! ------ So back to the real artist that built such a perfect replic 👍🏻!! GORGEOUS!! would be great when you contact me please!! If I could mail you a photo of me in my car and you Photoshop me into your KITT, would you?!! PLEASE 🥺 ...that my life will have a meaning again 😳🥺😖😖😖🥺😖😢😭😭😭......!!!!! Just kidding! 😂🤣...but that would be awesome!! Many greets to you from Berlin germany and take good care about your KITT!! fantastic vehicle

[@reginaldb.campbelljr.2492]

Awesome