Knight Rider Screen Used Trailer Interior Panel Teardown + Discovery Inside the Wall! KITT Hauler!

[@deleted_redacted]

The fact that the "artifact" discoveries are still happening really makes me happy.

[@TheSergioTurbo]

A fun fact about the hubcaps: one of the reasons they had to fix in place the hubcaps is that they were only pressure fitted, while at the same time channeling air towards the brake (or, at least, I believe that was part of the intention. How actually effettive they were at that, I have no idea). As such, many were lost by TA owners over the years, and I think there's a few scenes in which you can see them fly off KITT. I read years ago of a KITT replica owner who apparently managed to source only one, and used it to make mold of his own. He buried washers in the bolt holes, molded inside the fiberglass, so the wheel bolt themselves kept the hubcaps from flying off - something Pontiac should've thought about!

[@MrGoesBoom]

Oh yeah, I recall reading somewhere that TA users called that style of hubcap 'bowling balls' due to their shape/color and their habit of popping off

[@mrjsv4935]

I recall reading that some owners use zip ties to secure the hubcaps to the rims. Some cars actually do secure hubcaps with wheel nuts, for example I have 2016 Kia Rio LX with hubcaps, that are secured with wheel nuts from the factory.

[@modembricker]

When I was a kid, I was a HUGE Knight Rider fan so my parents took me as a Birthday surprise, to Universal Studios to see KITT. I was ecstatic as we waited in line to sit in the car. As soon as it was our turn (my brother & I), he (my brother) jumped into the drivers seat and we argued as my parents told me to just get in the damn car since other people were waiting in line. I was so upset that I didnt get to sit in the drivers seat. I was able to ask the car a question.. to which I replied.. "wheres your horn" haha of all things I could ask. The cars reply was... I don't need a horn, I just yell "get out of the way" My brother has since passed on at an early age, but I would still hope that 1 day I might be able to sit in the drivers seat. FINALLY. Oh, I almost forgot... while we were taking the tour of Universal, I was HORRIFIED to see a car hauler FULL of KITT cars. I asked my Dad which one was the real one, he said "all of them" I was so confused. RIP Pops and Brother.

[@ClarkOVision]

Never boring working on this historical jewel from our childhood. And your quips and comments also make it entertaining Joe. I can't believe the amount of customisation and conversions this trailer has gone through since it left Universal. Will be so good to see it being restored to how it was always meant to be. :)

[@RedlineGarageHW]

So much work has gone into this already, getting everything torn out. I'm looking forward to seeing it start going back together.

[@jasonbeard4713]

How neat that you found that piece with the black paint!!!

[@demonic477]

the piece of original black paint gives you a chance to get an exact color match for the rest of the trailer . I don't know if you had found unmolested color samples yet but this one would work if it is all you have and work quite well. if you wonder why I say color match black it's because even in the 80's auto paint came in around 20 different shades and colors in just black. it used to make us nuts trying to match colors on supposed black cars during a touch up or repaint.

[@tt-rs1457]

Exacly, I am curious what is the Colournumber and name.

[@dh2032]

@@tt-rs1457 pantone

[@scottstewart3884]

It looks like it also has a small bit of the gold on it as well.

[@lilorbielilorbie2496]

Since you are giving us an update. I'll give you one. On one of your other videos I posted a comment about how they filmed an episode of Knight Rider where my Late Dad worked in Long Beach, CA. It's the episode where some bad guys steal a Hovercraft. In the show they were shooting at Michael and Dad brought home the empty shell casing's. I thought that they might have been lost to time. So yesterday Jan.1, 2023 I went upstairs and got to looking for them. Since there really wasn't anything else to do. I'm going thru his U.S. Navy trunk which is full of his and my Late Mom's life. I see this little white bag with a draw string and I'm like I wonder what's in this.? What it was is four spent shell casing from Knight Rider. For a size comparison. They are about the same size as a Winchester 3030 casing.

[@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial]

Awesome! Send us a photo of them please! [e-mail]

[@lilorbielilorbie2496]

@@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial If you want pictures of them I need a P.O. Box or a regular address. Sending anything attached to an e-mail is above my paygrade. lol.

[@brianburgett5894]

Dukes of Hazzard was the one with the most notable continuity issues . There were episodes where Daisy was driving her Jeep then the next one she’d be back in her car .

[@bandittweintraub]

Yeah, the season she got the jeep, was filmed and aired out of sequence

[@Hero-en2up]

I never got into Knight Rider, I always preferred The Hoff in Baywatch but I am loving this series, it is fantastic work and dedication 👏

[@EpRoos]

Happy new year everyone and the best wishes!

[@TastierBackInThe80s]

Joe, its great to see the progress of the trailer and tractor. From when you first acquired it, to now. And it looks better every episode.

[@kevinmcmuhammad4841]

Great work guys already were stuck into it only a few days into 2023, 👍

[@BobbyTB425]

So much work so much discovered

[@albert_vds]

Coming nice along.

[@RKStrikerJK5]

Some really cool and valuable work you're doing, here. :)

[@macupgrader]

Man, I cannot wait until that damn window comes out and the hole filled. It's the most egregious post-show modification that was done to the trailer in my opinion.

[@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial]

AGREED!

[@anthonyellis987]

There were so many continuity mistakes in Knight Rider (and other series too). I was watching a first season episode and you can clearly see the edge of the trailer set and when KARR goes over the cliff, it's clearly an older car. It's great to see the trailer almost empty. I can't remember what it looked like before it was stripped. That piece of metal deserves to be in a glass case.

[@jasonbeard4713]

The more they dig, the more they find. That piece is priceless in so many ways, now allowing an exact color match when the trailer is repainted.

[@James-seafan]

excellent video thank you for the update

[@neftalisandino4560]

I love that there are so many secret about the knight rider semi trailer about its past and now in 2023 keep up the good work I and hope that I come and see the trailer good luck.

[@Retro_flashback72]

I look forward to these videos. Keep them coming.

[@chosenman08]

As a true historian, you really go to the root properly. Aluminium screws in combination with those plastic dowels plus more than 50 years is a deadly combination. And breathing that dust there from the insulation. Apart from presuading the trailer to cooperate, the video is actually a great tutorial on skills and PATIENCE...So - happy and good new year 2023 !!!

[@tt-rs1457]

This time, the questions from the Flag-Patrions were really good considered.

[@HangoverTelevision]

I really love these videos! - It's just so unique compared to others... AND you don't edit things too quickly together, which is great.

[@donovaneddiealanhodges1499]

Hi Joe. Hope you had a fun New🍾Year's Eve, because I did! What other updates have you got for the Dorsey trailer? More gold paint? Making plans for the prop display? Removing more incorrect settings? Let me know. ♥Thanks✌

[@coreykoch3232]

Great progress 👍🏻

[@manfredfritz6068]

Now, every time you are doing something, I play back in my mind all the 80's saying, What you takin Bout Willis, did I do that?

[@justinjl12345]

❤ this Chanel is amazing

[@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial]

You're pretty amazing, too!

[@rickr442]

Universal’s editing stunk out loud for years. Barris’ inspiration? The studio contract checks!

[@Shadowdarknessone]

Love that hes finally at the point where he cant put stuff back in

[@vicferrarisgarage]

At 7:27 that is a aluminum mount (Amazon RV Trailer AP Products Pedestal Base Round Flush Mount Table Leg Base (1) ) for a removable poll for a eating table. Found in most campers and popup trailer’s. It had a deep 3 inch hole that passed through the floor to push the table pipe in wail using table. Then removed to use table as a kids bed area.

[@Andy-From-England]

Happy new year guys

[@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial]

Thanks so much! Happy New Year!

[@mrjsv4935]

It is always interesting to see you working on the Semi, and finding some things from it's past, like that peace with original black paint :)

[@kevindalby520]

When the Duke's of Hazzard was on, in a beginning of one of an episode, they driving by the windows were open because it was not raining at the time. Next scene it was raining and all of the windows were closed as they drove by. The next scene it was dry and all the windows were open again as they drove by again.

[@JayH237]

With the stuck screws try hitting the end of the screwdriver with a dead blow hammer once you get the screwdriver in position. Sometimes just the shock will help break them loose. Can even try hitting it while starting to try turning them.

[@michealoceallaigh4716]

Joe, I'm glad you and the rest of your team survived the shite weather, from what I read online, it looked like you (plural) needed International Rescue as opposed to FLAG, (unless Bonnie could equip KITT with caterpillar tracks and digging equipment)

[@Michael_Wood]

Absolutely OUTSTANDING!! Love these updates!!

[@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial]

Glad you like them!

[@Michael_Wood]

@@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial don't know of you saw my last message, but the dent in the front bumper on the tractor is original as seen on screen!!

[@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial]

@@Michael_Wood Actually, it's not. The original GMC General, used in seasons 1 and 2, had the crease in the front bumper. The season 3/4 General, the one we have, never had a crease on screen. It wasn't until after the show ended that someone put a crease in it, on the opposite side of the crease you saw on the original General in the show. Thanks!

[@Michael_Wood]

@@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial WOW, you truly are informative! Here I thought I had come up with something huge! Another tip of the hat to you, sir!

[@911RescueDiver]

I saw my name! Thank you! Keep up the hard work!

[@elisatornow8733]

Are you guys thinking about doing a series of videos on the fabrication of the sleeper? From the plans to the build would be as close as we can get to watching Universal build the original.

[@dangerousandy]

Happy new year

[@tinovanderzwanphonocave544]

I have a reverse-threaded screw tap set, in my hobby of antique phonograph collecting stubborn screws with damaged screw heads are more like the norm than the exception in that case I drill out the center of the screw shaft with a thinner drill than the shaft then tap it and screw in the reverse screw, and because it's reverse it screws out the old screw without me damaging the original screw hole. also, this must be a record for the number of times the word ''screw'' is used! reverse-threaded srews are righty loosey lefty tighty.

[@redcarguy]

Happy New Year!

[@thecommodoredecker]

22:30 you should put that under a microscope or something in the work area of the trailer like its a piece of evidence bonnie and Michael were working on! Its a piece of K.I.T.T.s molecular bonded shell!

[@Samuel-gc6js]

"It appears to be fragmented" - Knight of the Juggernaut

[@CR7659]

A company called Brekina makes HO (1:87 scale) vehicles and they make a GMC General that can be gotten with this sort of odd short sleeper and a black paint scheme with gold stripes. Hit me after a second I've seen this before, it's not marketed as one but it is the Knight Rider semi. They also have versions that look like Smokey & The Bandit trucks, a Freightliner cabover in BJ & The Bear colors and some other things. You have to look though, they don't mention any movie or TV names.

[@michaelastone7758]

I noticed that one of plywood you took off had a bar code on the bar codes started be use in the late 80s

[@Darkalyle]

I'm sure you have thought of this, but hey why not. Have you thought about having a second plaque for those who (people or companies) that came to physically help the restoration? The plaque for the donors is a great idea for those who can't visit to help but want, and can afford, to help to help. A second to thank those who could come out to physically help I think would be great as part of the display.

[@keithvallance219]

Cool video, lots of work still to do but worth it

[@MrGoesBoom]

To be fair about the continuity issues...gotta remember this is the early 80s. People weren't watching tv on 52" Ultra High definition flat screens. Production could get away with a lot of sins just because the people at home were far less likely to notice it on the TVs they had available at the time.

[@m9ovich785]

Sitcoms were notoriously bad at the "production Bloopers" I started recording a lot of the Shows to pick them out . Barnaby jones, WKRP, McGiver was loaded with them. ETC.. LOL

[@elisatornow8733]

Also the production schedule demands alone didn't allow for a lot of fine tuning.

[@raymondhall8629]

It’s coming on but still along way to go ❤

[@albertvonschultz9137]

I would recommend doing polyurethane foam insulation but like even you mentioned about using the sheets will work but it won't give you a tight airtight

[@robertrousseau5264]

I would like to make one suggestion even know you are a taking the Bardstown but next time we're any other times you have screws that heart going to come out with us normal drill bits you need to have some left handed roll bits lot of times they will unscrew what you're trying to screw at alright this is Bob from Vero Beach Florida God bless Happy New Year to you and your family

[@destindude1978]

I remember coming across those aluminum screws when I did a remodel to my old house and I had to cut it out I gave up and just cut walls out cause I was done doing it the hard way

[@jonmyers8046]

Joe do you have anyone helping that we don't get to see on camera? I totally admire your hard work and commitment to this job. It's good that you show people how tedious some of this work can be. Sending love and support for KRH and wishing you and your family a happy new year. 👍✌️

[@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial]

NOPE! Just me, with someone popping in from time to time!

[@jonmyers8046]

@@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial God bless you buddy! May The Force be with you!...or the Schwartz 🤔😁

[@crushingvanessa3277]

I'm curious to see how sheet aluminum is welded. I've seen thick aluminum weld with a spool gun but never seen sheets done. I also think this would be so much harder if you were to build a replica trailer. This trailer is speaking volumes to you as did the General.

[@m9ovich785]

Probably gonna take 2 people. One on the inside with a chunk of Copper over the Hole. The other one on the out side with the Welder. Or the other way around.

[@MrJeep75]

Like the project's

[@scottedmondson4228]

Just curious if you are using a #1 or #2 bit. I find the #2 is better all the way around for general drywall screw removal, which is what those screws appear to be

[@airbosn9950]

Continuity of the show was clearly a product of the times, it wasn’t until Star Trek DS9 (besides maybe soap operas) that established timeline continuity as a regular thing on TV…

[@rich7934]

Nice bit of progress. On the AC hole corner piece, is that Knight Industries Gold Stripe on that last 3/4" of the point? With the bolts for the pulley crossmember. The cross bar would have been inside of the nuts with a second nut clamping it against the first. If they didnt do it that way, tightening the bolt would have pulled the head through the skin of the trailer as there is no spreader plate on the outside to prevent it. Also there was no reason for the later customizer to reinstall the bolts, as they were not integral to the structure of the trailer. They were left because they sealed the holes through the outer skin, which would confirm the structure was not under those nuts.

[@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial]

Yep it sure is gold paint!

[@automaton111]

Styrofoam might not be the best choice for sound insulation. Maybe look into Roxul AFB (mineral wool), Owens Corning 703, Roxul Rockboard 60, or Owens Corning 705.

[@bowslap]

Those old cast-aluminum registration holsters worked well….until the seal/gasket shrank or dry-rotted. Then, they’d gather every last drop of moisture within a 10-mile radius and render the registration/annual inspection certificate a sloppy mess. These were used by most trailer manufacturers at the time until the advent of the plastic circular holsters used to this day… The first aluminum scrap displayed not only has black, but sure looks like a small area of gold as well….

[@spsjason2]

You should sell pieces that you remove from the trailer to Knight Rider fans.

[@wrangler70jkujeep74]

Great content 😊👍

[@kavinskysmith4094]

With the artifact, you oughta try and color match it, although I bet its probably the same black that was used on the trans ams, also it looks almost like its got a touch of the gold on it, granted that might be the dirt doing that, also props to the person who posted the question about the super pursuit mode, that was actually a damn good question that even I didnt think of, and I'm OCD about that stuff as F

[@harmhoekstra22]

Hi Joe, thanks for another great video. 👍 On the insulation, since it wasn't completely filled, I'm wondering if the functionality of it was really to isolate. I imagine that it also could be to prevent the trailer from becoming a rattle can because it was pushing to the inner and outside sheet. 🤔

[@johnmartel6192]

👍

[@sanchoodell6789]

Now that you have cleared out most of that crap from the trailer. You can now get in the archeologists, historians and forensics in to find evidence of habitation by David Hasselhoff, Devon Miles, Bonnie, April and RC. For storing and displaying the donor names. The sleeper space could be one possibility. With an access door.

[@esb1974]

You may reconsider just patching the holes vs replacing the whole piece. There is no possible way the repairs won't show and given the time it will take to piece it together and weld all the holes, you will be ahead just replacing the entire panel.

[@jzuelch]

LOL, love the caveat of "spread those 1,000 questions out over a few years". Not looking forward to making a 1,000 question video???

[@valentine_puppy]

Would you not cut the slots in the screws/nails deeper with a Dremel? That would be something I would suggest.

[@xheralt]

Instead of blown in insulation, have you considered a "minimal expanding" spray foam?

[@thunderrobots1980s]

so just on the off chance that the boards were just turned upside down or flipped around placed in different spot after being cut , you should see if the holes line up in different locations flipped or turned upside down

[@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial]

A GREAT idea! We will definitely do that

[@kevinbjohnson6550]

I was about 1/2 way through this video when it occurred to me that I’m wearing my KR semi restoration t-shirt. How appropriate is that??

[@missingremote4388]

Knight rider's dream

[@mixza81]

How about hollow-ground screwdrivers when removing those front wall panels?

[@afr7]

hollow-ground screwdriver should help. Check out screwdrivers from Grace USA.

[@vicferrarisgarage]

30:25 they did use the base but they removed the bottom half of the base to make it look like something futuristic.

[@outlaweduk]

@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial adding 2 and 2 and coming up with 5 and doing a dot to dot with no numbers, heres an idea ...and i dont think i heard it mentioned in your vids, what if your taillift is in another truck? it was mentioned it disapeared off the studio lot , the smokey and bandits ramps were mentioned briefly but they were just ramps,you mention quite often about kitts dashboard parts are missing and not sure where .....they could have been on the same truck ,i just watched a pilot episode of a series that was produced by g.a.larson ,thats just about been forgotten ...have a look into the 1987 series highwayman if yo havent already

[@danielholter1861]

An impact driver that you hit with a hammer might of been helpful for those stubborn screws

[@ste_zace]

Did they use a modified lighter kitt for recording the stock footage of it driving in and out ?

[@fullmetal_vet]

🎉

[@stevenduering7155]

The piece from when the AC unit was installed should be a big enough piece to use for a color match for when the trailer gets repainted.

[@johnkramer7161]

Does that black scrap piece have a little bit of gold paint on the front of it, or is that rust?

[@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial]

Good eye! Yep, that's some original gold paint!

[@johnkramer7161]

@@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial Nice!

[@wiedapp]

If I may: For insulation you should look for someone who does know his way around that stuff. You need to take in account the later dew point. If that lies within the wall construction, you will get condensation inside the walls and then they can rot out (the aluminum/aluminium that is, the steel will rust out) You need to make sure that doesn't happen. And please, please, please: Do NOT use that spray foam insulation stuff! That will ruin the whole trailer. Styro foam tends to squeak massively, if moved. Look for closed cell foam insulation mats, the most known name brand I know is Armaflex. Maybe you have something equivalent over in the US.

[@beaverc2884]

I had worked with a home remodeling company for many years and I was always surprised at how much blown in insulation would settle, I can't comprehend what someone was thinking or 'not thinking' while they were blowing insulation inside the walls of an object that goes bouncing down the highway. 🙄🙄

[@ChrisEsposito]

how is your bit on the drill.. Chances are u need a better fitting bit for the screws...

[@nigel_davey]

Does that black metal off cut show signs of the original gold underneath? Sure looks that way on screen

[@mystisith3984]

That poor trailer's shell has more holes than Swiss cheese. It's going to be tedious to correct. ^^

[@biotopi1309]

i ´think the semi inside was complete empty, i see a lot of pics in the internet that they made the set of the semi inside a studio with removable walls. So they can film inside the semi with different camera positions.

[@neilholland6543]

Closet maid still uses those fasteners.

[@paulgontarz7661]

Please film a update on the semi tractor next.

[@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial]

As soon as there is an update on the tractor - we will!

[@paulgontarz7661]

@@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial has the semi tractor been painted yet ? How is the sleeper for the semi tractor coming along ?

[@Samuel-gc6js]

@Paul Gontarz Joe said in this video that they've just put a deposit down and the sleeper has starting to get fabricated 🥳

[@KB9TKB]

Not only was there black paint on that original piece of metal, but anyone else spot the little speck of gold paint on the corner of that piece? Really cool find.

[@kimo_]

There is something that I always wonder when I see you dismantle pieces and that is if you are not afraid of discarding something by mistake, that you think it was not there originally. I understand that you already knew it very well even before having obtained it, that you have documented yourself very well both through the series itself, following its track through the years with other owners, thanks to documentation and even that you are finding now, when dismantling it, tells you its own story. But still... Isn't there a time when you're not sure?

[@kimo_]

Another doubt that I have. I understand that this must have been mass-produced in its day. Are there not those who know the model well or even have one and can you confirm details? Or even factory specifications in catalogs or manuals?

[@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial]

I can assure you...there's nothing that we discarded that was on the trailer during its filming days on Knight Rider!

[@JustinMacri007]

@@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficialwe seen so much of trailer wvy not show tractor anything new or show us kitt

[@SightHandicappedRider9400]

The tractor is just waiting for the sleeper, nothing special there. 😆

[@Dave96z34v2]

Food for thought maybe the rear plywood was already removed by paramount, and the aluminum panleing was removed befor it was sold.

[@wingerfan1]

Do you have any plans on getting your commercial drivers license so that you can actually drive this to shows or will you just hire someone?

[@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial]

We'll be driving it ourselves!

[@briank.8925]

I'm taking that look back at the camera as you wondering about the flying insulation fluttering away. 19:22.

[@majobis]

Yeah you are better off tearing out all the wood pieces in the trailer down to the skins and structural supports. I would not be a bad idea to get to another Dorsey (donor)trailer and pull the skins off to replace the bad ones on this trailer plus getting those supports to from a donor trailer. By going to a donor trailer you can save a lot off time just replacing the bad skins rather than patching up the current ones. I do not know if you thought of doing that and to me it would make better sense to go that route.

[@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial]

We have supports from a donor trailer. It’s worth the effort to us to repair the panels since they are original to the show.

[@tug1345]

Which car was on display at the 'car's the star' museum that was in Keswick, Cumbria, Great Britain, the museum closed a few years ago, the owner sold most of his collection, if that was an original car where did it go, I seem to remember seeing the auction results for that collection, I think kitt sold for £400,000 so given that figure, I presume it was a tv original car

[@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial]

They had the screen used convertible KITT and an officially licensed, non-screen used tour car. Both are now at the Dezerland Museum in Florida, USA.

[@tug1345]

Thank you for your replies, you're doing a great job, I've been watching your videos since I saw your visit to Jay Leno

[@WillPittenger]

I never understood why in the Knight Rider 2000 script, KITT had been disassembled and mostly tossed in the trash. Prior to the show coming out, one of the original cars was observed being worked on. Plus Michael had quit?

[@markoconnor1186]

Wow I can see the badge,thats red in the tv show,can you remove and restore It ?

[@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial]

Oh yes it will be restored.

[@alexwoodhead3413]

I noticed recently on what appears to be a P.R. photo of bonnie Michael and devon with what looks like a rear profile drawing of kitt in the background in super pursuit mode.. But I can't upload the screenshot in comments

[@edwardr7577]

Once the Semi is fully restored, have you got a driver who is qualified to drive it ?

[@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial]

We're installing Bonnie's auto pilot...it'll practically drive itself!