Watch a KITT replica go head to head with a mere mortal Firebird and lose.
There odds are good that if you grew up in the 1980s, you are quick to recognize the customized Pontiac Firebird KITT from TV’s Knight Rider. KITT is one of the most recognizable Hollywood cars from the 1980s. With its remarkable on-screen feats- there is no question why that murdered out Firebird stole the hearts of so many people. KITT was practically unbeatable, even when competing with European supercars and purpose-built racecars alike – but that was television.
This video posted on the YouTube account of BalticMotorSport– features a great-looking KITT replica going head to head with a non-famous Pontiac Firebird at the 2017 Speedest Legends event at Pärnu airfield in Estonia.
The movie car replica is powered by a 5.0L Tuned Port Injection engine which seems to be relatively stock. While the 1988 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in the far lane is powered by a supercharged 355 cubic inch V8. Based on the sound, both cars have automatic transmissions.
After both Firebirds do fairly modest burnouts and spend what seems like forever staging, the two 1988 Pontiacs take off down the track – sort of. The built Firebird in the far lane gets out to a much better start while KITT sleeps at the line. By the time the TV car finally left the line, the race was pretty much over. There was no way that the 5.0L TPI car was going to run down the supercharged 355 car.
In the end, the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in the far lane ran a 13.331 at 170kmh (105.6mph) while KITT ran a disappointing 16.583 at 140kmh (87mph). At least the movie car looks cool, as the performance is a far fall from what we saw on TV as kids.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
