BaT Auction: 1983 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Convertible KITT Tribute

This 1983 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am convertible was refurbished and modified in the style of KITT from the 1980s television series Knight Rider by its previous owner. The project is said to have included refurbishment of the body, chassis, engine, and transmission along with the installation of a custom dash and steering wheel, various lighting elements on the interior and exterior, digital instrumentation, and period-style switchgear as well as dash-mounted display screens. The car is finished in black over tan upholstery and powered by a 305ci V8 paired with a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission. Features include concealed foglamps and halogen scanners in the front bumper, flip-up headlamps, fender vents, a custom rear convertible top covering panel with a rear spoiler, tinted rear single-piece taillamp, 14″ Turbocast wheels, power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes, power windows, rear-seat mounted speakers, and a JVC CD stereo. The car was acquired by the selling dealer in 2021 and is offered in Connecticut with service records and a Massachusetts title.

The body was refinished in black during the KITT conversion under previous ownership which included fitting a unique front bumper and hood, front fender vents, a smoothed rear bumper, bodyside moldings, and a tinted taillamp cover. The car is said to have been converted to a convertible by Autoform in 1983. Features include concealed foglamps and halogen scanners in the front bumper, flip-up headlamps, a custom rear convertible top covering panel, and a rear spoiler. A ceramic coating was reportedly applied to the paint, and the selling dealer notes that weatherstripping, moldings, and hardware were replaced during refurbishment.

The 14″ Turbocast wheels are fitted with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires measuring 215/70 that were reportedly installed within the last year. The car is equipped with power steering, and braking is handled by power-assisted four-wheel discs, which are said to have been serviced under current ownership.

The custom-molded dash shares its design with the one used in KITT during season four of Knight Rider and includes dual electronic instrument panels flanking the steering column, a single dash-mounted TV, and a control yoke-style steering wheel. The interior features seating upholstered in tan leather with matching door trim panels, carpet, and sun visors. Equipment includes power windows, dual speakers mounted in place of the rear seat, a cassette player in the console, LED scanners mounted in the doors, and a JVC CD Stereo. The selling dealer notes that the air conditioning was removed.

The audio and video systems are controlled by a programmable SD card function which is said to store over 2,500 phrases from Knight Rider. 

Switchgear has been added to the center console and instrument panel, along with a pair of pods that extend from the steering column. The selling dealer notes that the gauges are functional including the LED compass which is controlled by a GPS sensor and oil and voltage readouts are mounted below the instrument panel. The factory gauges are intact below the KITT dash and the five-digit odometer shows 13k miles, 280 of which have been added by the selling dealer. The KITT digital display has a digital odometer that reads 298 miles which are said to represent the mileage since the completion of the refurbishment.

The 305ci V8 features an Edelbrock intake manifold, four-barrel carburetor with electric choke, electronic ignition, and chrome dress-up parts. The engine is said to have been refurbished during previous ownership. The selling dealer notes that the spark plugs and ignition wires were replaced, and an oil change was performed in preparation for sale.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission. The transmission is said to have been refurbished during previous ownership.

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