UPDATE: SOLD for $300,000 Story
03-28-08: While the 2-hour TV special was met with mixed reviews across the board, there is no question that Knight Rider and its 2008 GT-500 KR will be remembered. At Barrett- Jackson Palm Beach, someone will get the chance to buy the central characters of the made for TV movie.
Ford Motor Company will auction two of the actual KITT Ford Shelby Mustangs used in NBC’s “Knight Rider” pilot at the 6th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event on March 29, 2008, in West Palm Beach, FL. The cars, which will be sold to benefit Salute to Education, appeared as Ford Shelby GT500KRs that had been transformed into a “Knight Industries 3000” (KITT) for the show.
Ford partnered with NBC to create a new KITT super-car, inspired by the new Shelby GT500KR, to star in the "Knight Rider" TV series which premiered on NBC on February 17, 2008. “Super KITT” and "Attack Mode KITT" will be sold as a pair (Lot #665 and #665.1) with all proceeds to benefit Salute to Education.
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"Super KITT” was built using a black Mustang GT with 4.6 Liter V8 that was upfitted with a Ford Racing Whipple Super-charger to make 500 horsepower. Additional performance elements include 6-piston Brembo Brakes, FRC500 Suspension Pak, High Flow Ford Racing X-Pipe and Ford Racing mufflers with stainless tips. The exterior sports a GT500KR fiberglass hood with a KITT heartbeat light, GT500 front and rear bumper covers, matte black LeMans stripes, matte finish rocker panels, GT500KR rear spoilers and 20" forged aluminum wheels.
"Attack Mode KITT” began as a black Mustang GT with 4.6 Liter V8, auto transmission, custom front valance/grille based on the GT500KR, carbon graphite chin spoiler, custom rear bumper cover, custom side faux air scoops, custom side skirt/rocker panel, two-tiered rear spoiler, custom rear window insert, custom turn signal trim, custom headlight trim brow and 20" forged black aluminum wheels. Performance features include Brembo Brakes, a FRC Suspension Pak and Ford Racing mufflers with stainless tips.
“We’re pleased to offer these cars, which have already become cultural icons, at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Palm Beach,” added Robert Parker, car marketing manager for Ford Motor Company. “‘Knight Rider’ gave the public an opportunity to see some of the capabilities of the new 540 horsepower Ford Shelby GT500KR, though the standard production model does not include all the ‘enhancements’ made to KITT. The new owner of these cars will have a piece of Hollywood and also help thousands of students realize their dream for a college or university education.”
The two KITT cars were created to look like the new Ford Shelby GT500KR pony cars created by Ford Motor Company and Shelby Automobiles. The 5.4 Liter 540-horsepower Ford Shelby GT500KR is the most powerful factory-built Mustang ever produced. Approximately 1,000 total 2008 coupes will be built at Shelby’s facility in Las Vegas and arrive in dealerships this summer.
With all proceeds benefiting Salute to Education, the two KITT cars will join a long list of cars in Palm Beach that will be auctioned for charity including several from the hit HBO series “The Sopranos.” On March 26, Barrett-Jackson will host their annual Opening Night Gala to raise money for The Darrell Gwynn Foundation and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. During the 2007 Palm Beach event, Barrett-Jackson raised over $500,000 for various charities.
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