The Pontiac Trans Am was one the most successful cars to appear in hit movies and on TV. It had a massive string of successes that included appearances in ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ and ‘Knight Rider.’ The latter show was an especially successful run for the Trans Am at a time when the third-generation GM F-Bodies were providing questionable performance. The futuristic styling of the car and star David Hasselhoff put the TV show on the map. The ‘Kitt’ car, as it’s called, is one of the most influential TV cars to this day.
It showed the world that special effects and technology could be used on a television set as well as the big screen. It also helped Pontiac stay afloat at a time when the brand was transitioning from the muscle car era. There was a lot more to the Kitt car than just the outward appearance and a lot of planning went into it. We looked at some of the most interesting facts about Kitt and they may just blow your mind. Check them out here.
Automotive Crime Busting Star
Before Kitt being the focal point of a TV show, there hadn’t been a network television show where a car was the focal point. Sure, you had the Dukes of Hazzard, but the infamous General Lee Charger wasn’t truly the focal point of the show. Kitt was a sidekick. Sometimes, it would display an attitude or humor depending on the episode. A lot of creative writing went into the show, and much of that was for the car (via TV Insider).
Fans were enamored with all of the technology that went into the car. Also, the slick black styling of the Trans Am helped in general. Kitt went on to be one of the few crime-busting stars who just happened to be a car. Knight Rider was one of the most popular shows from the era and the car was a major reason for that.