Knight Rider case mod does K.I.T.T. proud

Not everyone can afford to buy their own K.I.T.T. or K.I.T.T clone off eBay, but that doesn't mean you can't show your Knight Rider affection in other entirely non-subtle ways, as evidenced by this elaborate PC case mod by Thomas Fan (which we can only assume is not an alias for the 'Hoff himself). As you can see in the video after the break, the red LEDs faithfully mimic K.I.T.T.'s faint glimmer of intelligence and, while you can't carry on a conversation with it, you can at least make believe thanks to some familiar start-up and shutdown sounds. Sadly, Thomas hasn't provided any plans for building you own, though we're guessing that when it comes to something like Knight Rider, most fans would prefer to put their own personal touch on things anyway.

[aalexand @ Feb 4th 2008 6:30PM]

hello michael

[aguiluz @ Feb 4th 2008 6:33PM]

If only microsoft narrator can emulate KITTs voice.

"Hello Aguiluz! You have one new...."

[Blackstar @ Feb 4th 2008 11:31PM]

Does Bonnie come with the case?

[Rohan @ Feb 4th 2008 6:35PM]

I'm sorry, but that's barely news-worthy.

It's also barely a Knight Rider mod. Standard case, with standard bay accessories. The LEDs are custom, sure, but they're not even integrated well (can you see all the slice marks in the plastic?)

And for a final bit of criticism, the case lights are reacting to anything the soundcard plays - and that's all KITT's voice is - a clip played through the soundcard. It's bareley a hardware mod.

-1 Digg :)

[paul34 @ Feb 4th 2008 6:36PM]

Agreed. That's one hell of a crappy "modded" case. Kind of like the difference between a tastefully modded M3 and a 86 Civic hatch with primer, Wal-mart hubcaps, and a 100 lb wing, all with a exhaust tip bigger than my head and with the oh-so-sweet sound of loud flatulence and stupidity (this case is the latter).

[aguiluz @ Feb 4th 2008 6:39PM]

No offense but...

1. Not newsworthy for you, but newsworthy to other fans. (Again, no offense.)

2. Have you ever modded a PC? (No offense, please.) Let alone a Knight Rider related one? (Again, trip... Er... quadruple no offense please.)

[Spyvie @ Feb 4th 2008 6:42PM]

+ 1 for Rohan, the only "mod" I see is the red LEDs, the rest of the case appears to be assembled from off the shelf parts.

@aguiluz RE: #2. Yes

[Kamokazi @ Feb 4th 2008 8:05PM]

@aguiluz

I have modded a PC (4 or 5 to be more precise), and this is pretty simple. All standard parts, probably even the LED kit...many modding sites sell LED chaser kits. I even have that remote starter on my server in the closet (the single bay display panel with 2 dials is part of that). If I wasn't so lazy
I'd go link all the parts he was using.

[Chris @ Feb 4th 2008 6:52PM]

that picture... for some reason the computer looks like it's the size of a man, and the sharpie looks like it's the size of a skateboard... anyone else see it like that?

[Beata Yamin @ Feb 4th 2008 7:52PM]

if i look at it for a while i see what u mean.

[austin @ Feb 4th 2008 10:34PM]

that book in the background is massive!

no, you lose

[mb @ Feb 4th 2008 6:53PM]

Good God that's hideous.

[Matthew Hilario @ Feb 4th 2008 6:56PM]

david hasselhoff just cried one tear.

[Thomas Fan @ Feb 4th 2008 7:05PM]

OUch guys - well, I wasn't exactly going to make this case drive on wheels and serve me dinner. Yes, it is a standard case. Yes most of the drive bay gauges are just store bought. What else would you guys want for a "knight rider" pc case? It IS just a case. The rest of the goodies come with software, voice recognition etc.

The voicebox and the red scanner didn't exactly just fit in this "standard case" Modding was required - cutting, wiring etc. Besides - since the new series is about to start. This is my tribute. I'm sure, with the new series coming out, a lot of Knight Rider fans are attempting to "renew" their loyalty - whether that means making an actual trans am replica - or making a small computer. I'm not a professional or anything, I'm just a fan. This is my first case mod ever. Feel free to email me your case mods - or tributes to knight rider.

PS - Those aren't scratch marks - that's just some left over foil that helps reflect the red LED lights. It just shows up when I use flash on the camera because the front is made of metal mesh. Thanks for pointing it out. I'll fix it soon.

[Jeff @ Feb 5th 2008 12:04AM]

How did you create the voice box? I am looking to do the same thing for an interom used for home automation and voice control.

[wraith808 @ Feb 5th 2008 12:37AM]

Good job dude... ignore the naysayers, as long as you're satisfied. :-)

[w00t @ Feb 4th 2008 7:07PM]

How much does it drink? :)

[Yevon @ Feb 4th 2008 7:10PM]

Yea, I concur. This is a dull ass mod. He probably used a pre-made LED controller that does that. Cool idea though, it was so, um, original...

[Reader @ Feb 4th 2008 7:19PM]

Always respect for modders, this just happens to not be my cup of tea. I'm not a fan of 1980-esque "fururistic" electronics, but good job on the case.

[celerysword @ Feb 4th 2008 7:33PM]

Quick KITT!- Find me some pants!

[Neebs @ Feb 4th 2008 8:10PM]

Expected a Trans-Am Firebird casemod, was left disappointed.

[Michael @ Feb 4th 2008 9:20PM]

This is William Daniels' agent.
I expect a royalty check within the week.

TURBOBOOST!

[Reid @ Feb 4th 2008 10:04PM]

RAID card LEDs? :)

[Bizzle @ Feb 4th 2008 10:06PM]

that is not good

[ErikLindemann @ Feb 4th 2008 10:31PM]

Beautiful.

[LondosHair @ Feb 5th 2008 12:10AM]

Here is the guy's step-by-step procedure...
http://resinilluminati.com/showthread.php?t=901

[tino @ Feb 5th 2008 2:35AM]

No Michael. It does not.

[sphrog @ Feb 5th 2008 5:06AM]

The Coolermaster Mystique 632 is a very, very pretty case.

These jerks went and uglied it up :'(

[JMke @ Feb 5th 2008 8:25AM]

Complete worklog of this case mod and animated gif available here: http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&number=5&artpage=2313&articID=538

this case is an oldie;)

[Tha_Bounce @ Feb 5th 2008 11:41AM]

Weak. Not worth the bandwidth.

[Warren @ Feb 6th 2008 12:44PM]

Is it just me or does it look more like the illegitimate son of a Cylon and Darth Vader?

[rivenfire @ Feb 9th 2008 12:06AM]

the Knight Rider 2000 made for TV music! Love it!

[thomas @ Apr 13th 2008 3:10AM]

where did u get the mod stuff