What Happened to KITT's Original Dashboard & Bumper Sculpts? Knight Rider - Michael Scheffe

[@djmajestic2196]

The Highway Man didn’t get the love it deserves.

[@Simmer4Decades]

The truck and Gazelle were an exciting combination at that time in my childhood. Having Flash Gordon himself at the wheel/stick was even better. Shout out to Sam J. Jones!

[@pl5624]

After a few episodes they started using scenes over...for me that was jumping the shark.

[@DWINC]

Amen

[@jediknightjairinaiki560]

Sam Jones stopped by our booth at El Paso Comic Con. I told him I loved "The Highway Man" and he said it was his favorite.

[@michaelknight2721]

I agree Joe,I think Universal made moulds of Michael Scheiffe's dash,wrecked it and threw it out,which was such a shame.

[@markoconnor1186]

Awesome,met Michael over here in the u.k had a pint with him,telling me about his life 😀

[@Paulthediecastguy]

Question. Have you ever asked Michael what he thinks happened to all the pieces. Thank you for all the great videos

[@mrjsv4935]

Very cool and interesting information :) It's amazing that in just 3 weeks, in 1982, was created this very futuristic, and ahead of it's time, beautiful dashboard :) I think many real car manufacturers started using this very ergonomic dashboard design in the 80's, the center console curved towards the driver, like KITT's dash. Our 1988 Opel Kadett E for example had such curve in it's dash, and Opel btw was at the time a GM product in Europe, I think in US it was called Pontiac Le Mans ;)

[@TheQuirkyGarage1999]

yup Pontiac Lemans but it was built in South Korea by Daewoo because in typical GM way the Kadett was built and sold all around the world under many different badge and name 🙂

[@williammitchell4417]

Mr Barris built the 60's Batmobile in 3 weeks.

[@sanchoodell6789]

The Ford Sierra (in Europe) which came out in 1982 that replaced the more angular Ford Cortina (or Ford Taurus in continental Europe) also featured a (then) unusual ergonomic curved dash.

[@nunagoras]

True. And also there was an Alfa Romeo line more or less on the late 80's or early 90's that resembled more or less KITT's boards! One of my uncles had one at the time. Sadly those digital panels failed miserably an year later and the replacement ones didn't even last for 6 months either. The car was scrapped to my dismay, but it was one of the most beautiful cars I went into. Sadly don't remember its series though, It might have been a special edition for Alfa 33 or its successor Alfa 145-146!... My uncle received a new more conventional car afterwards once it was under our 2 years guarantee time.

[@762rk95tp]

Saab started doing curved dashboards in late 70's with Saab 900. Their approach to ergonomics had lot to do with company background as aircraft manufacturer. The automobile division was first spun off into independent company in late 80's, then sold to GM who proceeded to run it to the ground in matter of few years.

[@TheMaxxboost]

Awesome information ❤

[@nicholasrudzwick4046]

Great Video! I always wondered what happened to the original insert dash from seasons 1 and 2. I always figured if someone did find it. It would have KARR's voice box in there from KITT vs KARR, as that is the last time we see it used.

[@racerbatman]

Great information and great video makes sense

[@EmperorKonstantine01]

Just the idea of making a Car that never existed is overwhelming and exciting for most us fans, huge Appreciation and thanks to Michael Scheffe and Glen A. Larson for accomplishing and putting this vehicle and series together was unimaginable in the 80's.

[@79designuk]

Terrific. Genuinely wondered. I knew it was taken apart and the reasons. But as I don't know about such things, I thought what you saw, was still his. Sounds like 99-100% sure./. nope.

[@AdrianSchoeman]

Joe, I would love to see a one-page info graphic poster that shows a time line of every screen-used car, showing each car's origin (dealership, train wreck, Pontiac etc), what each car was used for (Season 1 hero, blind drive, turbo boost jump car etc), known episodes that each car featured in, iconic scenes that feature the car (acid bath, Goliath impact, converted to K.A.R.R. etc), and ultimately where each car ended up (destroyed, museum, current owner, unknown). I'd happily put the graphic together for you if you provided me with the info.

[@tryksta7247]

It was entertaining and educational. This is one of my favorite KZbin channels. Great stuff!

[@sgpch1983]

so you could say the original kitt and all its parts died back when the show was picked up - well thats very sad..

[@chesterlane3032]

Thanks for your insight into the car that becomes Kitt

[@pettrigrew]

Thank you very much Joe, a super interesting information! I would like more videos like this, in the future!

[@modelsandtrains7915]

Did Michael design any of the vehicles in shows such as Streethawk and Airwolf?

[@darrellbuyzat3355]

Really sucks that the Airwolf helicopter got destroyed.

[@JohnSmith-lm4nn]

Kitt was upgraded several times from season 1 to 4 hence alot of the changes to kitt also

[@vijayantgovender2045]

Thank you joe you are always very interesting to watch and may I suggest that you show us how kitt looked when you found him in the junkyard and and steps leading to how he looks now watching from South Africa

[@MotorScotti]

He already has in a previous video 🙂

[@ste_zace]

if they knew all these years later there would be this community of knight rider historians that love to see every frame of the show in great detail, i'd like to think they would of made it all look better and and would of kept continuity across the fleet of KITTs

[@Gangster88232]

I would love to see picture of original electronics driving dashboard. Any chance? What processor did they use back then and level of craftmanship. Breadboard, or professional PCBs? Circuit diagrams would be neet too. Please ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@hzoli024]

same interest here :)

[@davudandrews2665]

That was a cool video Joe and probably what you said about the original dash probably is what happen it broke apart .

[@mikefuller5115]

When do you guys plan on putting out the next semi video?

[@chris-townson]

So for the feature length pilot, are all the closeups we see of KITTs interior and voicebox from the hero car Michael delivered? Or did they build an insert dash after the pilot presentation to complete the feature length TV movie?

[@homeone4054]

The full length KOTP film seems to have insert dash scenes....or were they added later?!

[@donovaneddiealanhodges1499]

Hi Joe. It's been a while since i sent you neat comments about your work. And speaking of work, how's the FLAG Semi coming along? Did you get that new sleeper installed yet? Has anything changed by chance? Let me know. Thanks!

[@hoodedfarmer]

Do you think that maybe some of the original dash electronics also might have been used in other props outside of the car, example maybe in like a computer or some testing or scanning device in the background on certain sets.

[@ruisantos6373]

Well, don't worry too much about not revealing the photos of the prototype built by Michael Scheffe because those same photos have already been published on a facebook page dedicated to the history of the tv show. But it's one thing to show the photos and another to have Michael Scheffe himself talking about them, that will always be more attractive.

[@bemseller5515]

You are a genius

[@TheShornak]

Your question about if the original part how it would look after using it to make a model. When we made originals they would be made the same way, wood, body filler. We would use a special mold release wax on the original part (Plugs) then a very light layer of a release agent on the plug. Then after making the mold depending on how well you waxed and handled the plugs they would over crack and sometimes chucks of it would still stick to the mold. But since the studio wasn't a fiberglass company I doubt they did the proper prep work.

[@seisportin]

This maybe a daft question, but do we know there was a fresh built insert dash for series 2&3? Is it possible the original dash was modified into the series 2, then again into series 3?

[@procta2343]

I am suspect that too,

[@homeone4054]

Very cool video thank you! Interesting the Universal dash moulded from the original Scheffe dash looks like it is made from a different material/finish - more grey/rubbery? The finish on the insert dash looks more like the original dash in the car.

[@Grazysworld]

Like the Star Trek Enterprise D Bridge that was laying somewhere collecting dust, So could it be that it is somewhere on Hollywood in a lot or something... ???

[@procta2343]

I think most of the sets got recycled for voyager, I am sure the bridge set was destroyed though, from the last film with the Enterprise D was in.

[@M_B_80]

Is there a high quality version of this video preview image available somewhere? I know it has been printed in an book at the old days, I still have the book somewhere.

[@donaldwiller9238]

Great information 👍

[@ClarkeMarek]

I enjoy stuff like this. :) If I wasn't strapped for cash(debts and all), I'd donate to the patreon.

[@mikeyaudio167]

the highwan to i remmenber that thanks you pionted that out :)

[@Sorted7]

Love this geeky channel! Any idea what happened to Michael longs trans am from the 1st episode?

[@nimblehealer199]

Many believe that it was used to make KITT. I don't know if it was though.

[@michaelknight2721]

@@nimblehealer199 it would make sense for Michael Long's Trans am to be used to make KITT.

[@Samuel-gc6js]

They've done a video on this. Was most likely converted into the 4th car to be transformed into KITT

[@jonmyers8046]

I think Karr said it best..."WHAT YOU SAW WAS AN INFERIOR PRODUCTION LINE MODEL! A PALE COPY OF THE ORIGINAL!!" 😮 😉😁

[@jamiebriese3702]

Quick side question not related to this video, but where in the car was the SPM, and EBS buttons located, I always wondered.

[@MichaelKnightfromPoland]

This buttons was on Insert Dash in Sound Stage.

[@procta2343]

i wonder if they converted the original insert dash into the later dash? Gave it a face lift as it were.

[@williammitchell4417]

Once upon a time ( in a previous video) Joe was cleaning a dash mold of our pal. I believe that that particular mold was inside the car and where it ended up. breaking either because of a jump or some gag. (It was Jack and Andy's fault.) Something that could be very cool to see... I'm wondering if Michael has blueprints or something, like Mike Okuda had for Star Trek...)😂🤣

[@automaton111]

How did they film demo footage to pitch the pilot to studios if they didn’t have KITT? Is this video available anywhere?

[@neophytealpha]

I like the dual monitor setup, but much of the later seasons other stuff. Have a blend of years. Didn't like when they switched to a single monitor.

[@TheAquabears]

Considering how frugal the studio was, wouldn't the Season 3/4 insert dash have been made by rebuilding the season 1/2 insert dash? Replace the face panels, hack out a larger area for the new monitor, etc...

[@jasonpower5759]

On some of the Night Rider Trans Am 's there was a light bar underneath the front bumper. Was that on ever car and episode

[@Slidinsidewayz2009]

I'm confused. When I seek, I see you moving in your garage and even some stills you're referring to, but this whole video was just the title screen, all the way through.

[@JustinMacri007]

Joe your hat I had one by Hasslhoff him self we're can I get a new one?

[@themobseat]

Great video, but I think Scheffe's designs were too complicated, and too difficult to accurately reproduce in mass for a weekly TV show.

[@Samuel-gc6js]

Disagree. Once the mould had been taken they were good to go. The replica season 1/2 dash only had 2 differences. The "Knight Two Thousand" steering wheel cover and the changes to the voice box straight after the pilot presentation

[@fill7t1]

So what about the KITT that was in cars of the stars museum, that was in the uk. Would that dash etc have not been original or close to it. I recall seeing that in the late 80s early 90s. Just a thought. I wonder where it is now?

[@teambanzai2001]

as for the first season dash sadly I can confirm it was smashed up and thrown away when they were done using it. It was my friends father who was a prop guy working at Universal at the time He was quite angry to see what the were doing to it

[@vinceruffalo5949]

What a shame, though at the time props were 100% disposable, similar to Obi Wan's brown robe was reused for years on films before it was pulled out of circulation and preserved in the late 80's/early 90's I think

[@dimachesebastian6407]

Any chance to buy full size sticker with kitt dashboard? any place?

[@michaelknight2721]

When is your next video,Joe.

[@ezquimal]

Retro recipies buy a kitt car are a reproduction or original? The truck of the highwayman exist or are disarm to another serie?

[@kennybacchus6854]

What happened to kitt s original dashboard and bashboard bumper sculpts knight rider Michael

[@correcties6217]

WEL NEE KITT'S IS PRATEN🤪🤪😏💬

[@markthintie5132]

I do not like to upset anybody, but i would like to see KITT in a Black Lamborghini Aventador if there was a Modern Reboot.

[@houseofno]

Too exotic. Would cost a fortune for a TV show. At least with the original they did a custom nose of a readily available car they could affordably buy mass quantities of. Which could you afford a couple dozen of on a broadcast tv budget? A car that was affordable to nearly everyone in America or a car that STARTS at around a quarter million dollars EACH?