TV | Pop Culture | 80s

Keep Your Scanners Peeled, Did You Know These 10 Secrets From The Set Of Knight Rider?

By Tanya |

Knight Rider is one of those shows that doesn't technically make any sense but we still loved it. It had everything you could possibly need, David Hasslehoff, a robot car, and a whole lot of cheesy 80s stunts.

The show was super fun and ridiculous which was a lot of the appeal, but there was a lot going on behind the scenes you probably never knew about.

Here are 10 fascinating facts about how they made one of the most bizarre shows you remember from the 80s!

1. It was inspired by The Lone Ranger

It makes sense when you think about it, it's basically one guy no one seems to know much about saving people with the help of his vehicle/mode of transportation.

2. The idea came from an episode of B.J. and the Bear

There was an episode called "Cain's Cruiser" where they face off against a technologically advanced police cruiser.

3. K.I.T.T. originally had another name

The first name they had was T.A.T.T. which stood for Trans Am Two Thousand instead of Knight Industries Two Thousand. They did still use the Trans Am as the car but just gave it a different name.

4. Pontiac had a special deal with the producers to get the cars

Pontiac would sell them each car they needed for only $1. This worked out well because they cost $18,000 for the modifications alone and they would ruin between four to nine PER SEASON.

5. There were different versions of the car made

They had a few "stunt" cars made up for jumps that would weigh significantly less and then the "Hero" car for the non-stunt scenes.

Find out which cast members never actually worked together on set on the next page along with the rest of the secrets from the set of Knight Rider!

6. K.I.T.T. was designed in only two weeks

The crew didn't have a lot of time to design and build this car. They only had two weeks before shooting began and because they had no time to order custom parts they ended up fabricating a lot of things themselves with what they had on hand.

7. The voice of K.I.T.T. had a few demands before agreeing to do the show

William Daniels (AKA Mr. Feeny) was originally supposed to do a robotic temperament without much personality, but he refused. He said if he couldn't develop K.I.T.T. as a character he wouldn't do the show.

8. Even though K.I.T.T. and Michael conversed regularly, Hasslehoff and Daniels did not

Because Daniels recorded all of his lines in a studio, and Hasslehoff was on set, they apparently only interacted at the Christmas parties.

9. There was a Diff'rent Strokes crossover

Gary Colemen's character on Diff'rent Strokes had a two episode arc where he got onto the set of Knight Rider and was almost killed.

10. Battlestar Galactica had an interesting influence on the show

The lights of the Cylons in Battlestar Galactica are actually the same as some of K.I.T.T's lights.

Who remembers this crazy show? Share your favorite episode in the comments!

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