Enough of these kit (ahem) cars, we're ready for the real deal. Up on the auction block today is a genuine 1984 Pontiac Trans Am that was used in the third and fourth seasons of Knight Rider. Yep, this is the one with the coveted Super Pursuit Mode, and legend has it that cops won't even ticket you for using it. At first glance, one can't help but be impressed with how spectacular this bona fide piece of history looks, but one glance at the interior and you realize there's quite a bit of work left to do. Personally, we could think of a limitless number of better ways to spend 26 large, but hardcore Hasselhoff fans will likely insist on differing.

[Via Autoblog]

While you may or may not agree with NBC's decision to make KITT a Ford Mustang in the new Knight Rider series, we're pretty sure that you're gonna tune in next February nonetheless if for no other reason then to see what modern technology can do to a talking, crime-fighting car. Well luckily Popular Mechanics has what is reportedly an exclusive spec sheet detailing all of the Knight Industries Three Thousand's many capabilities, including much of the in-vehicle biometric and genetic testing you'd expect, along with such military features as laser weapons, a missile defense system, and even a targeted electromagnetic pulse for frying an enemy's gadgets or pulling off the odd casino heist. One cutting-edge device that has been left out is a breathalyzer-based ignition system, which was allegedly scrapped at the last minute after designers learned that David Hasselhoff would not in fact be getting behind the wheel this time around.

[Thanks, cant0r]

We know, it's a little sad how dear Knight Rider is to our hearts, but honestly, we couldn't be more elated to find that the show is finally getting a new breath of life. Starting in February, an updated version of the classic will be hitting NBC, and while we could spend hours gushing over the cast, our eyes are fixed on the star pictured above. The new K.I.T.T. will be played by a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR, and while three versions will make appearances, it should come as no surprise to hear that out personal favorite is the driverless K.I.T.T. Remote. Go on, indulge in the links below for more pictorial goodness, we won't tell anyone.

[Via TVSquad, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

So it looks like the last two decades have been hell on the once proud Knight Industries: after a disastrous attempt to leech onto the dotcom boom by having Michael Knight trawl the internet for cyber-criminals with his virtual sidekick C.L.I.P.P.Y., the company was forced to disband its FLAG division and sell off most of its assets, including cars, semi-trailers, and saddest of all, RC3 and Bonnie. The upside of this blow to vigilante law enforcement was that car nuts could finally get their hands on an original Knight Industries Two Thousand (only ten were ever made), with a version hitting the auction block in 2004, and now one of the four original K.I.T.T.s up for sale by a California business. Kassabian Motors is offering the 1982 Pontiac Trans Am V-8 for a cool $150,000, which gets you a restored interior, those retro light up controls, and of course the snazzy red nose scanner, but unfortunately, no oil slick or Super Pursuit Mode. Finally, as a special bonus to overseas bidders, Kassabian will also reportedly retrofit the car with a CD changer sporting all of David Hasselhoff's many hits at no additional charge: "Michael, we seem to have a problem; these songs totally suck."

[Via Boing Boing]

Sure, we're probably all guilty of fanboy bickering at one point or another in our lives, but even if you prefer the whips found in Back to the Future or Ghost Rider above all, just about anyone who appreciates restorations (and whiz-bang interiors) would be forced to give this faithful clone its due credit. The Ontario-based 1984 Pontiac Trans Am reportedly became a $40,000 project to turn an ordinary ride into a blast from the past, as the owner took extra care in crafting the posh dashboard and sleek exterior cues to mimic the real K.I.T.T. (which already sold) found in Knight Rider. Aside from the throwback lighting system and branded steering wing, this bad boy packs twin four-inch LCDs, "real working gauges," DVD / CD / MP3 players, and a custom stereo system with amplifiers. No, this ride doesn't come with any sort of warranty (nor a functioning Turbo Boost, sadly), and unless you're a Canuck, you'll be making a trip across the border to pick it up, but if you've got the $19,000 (or more) to burn, here's your chance to be David Hasselhoff incarnate. Click on through for a few more pics, or hit up the auction for the full spill.

[Via Autoblog]