Nine Year Dreams Can Come True

NaigonAkoii · 06-09-2009, 08:23 PM

I still remember that day almost nine years ago going to pick up my car for the first time. The excitement of the project I was about to take on was awesome, and I knew it would be amazing to transform a seemingly ordinary Trans Am into KITT.

But years passed and progress was slow. Managing college undergrad and graduate degrees consumed a large amount of time. And so many road bumps encountered along the way; engine that wouldn't run, blown capacitors and sending my electronic boards back, countless hours of sanding and finishing dashboards, spaghetti wiring nightmares, an engine that would only run 5 seconds, a shifter that only shifted to 3rd and netural, and a leaky rebuilt transmission. So many times I felt like giving up; I even almost sold my car before moving from Florida back to Washington.

Now the dream is realized. After 9 years of struggling and waiting, I finally don't have a project car inside my garage; I now have KITT! I got him back from the paint shop last week, and it was one of the most amazing and bittersweet moments of my life. Without further ado, here are pictures of my now completed (version 1 at least) KITT.

My car the day I got it back from the paint shop.

The above 3 were taken at a local 3rd/4th gen meetup.

For all those that have waited years like I did, don't give up! My advice to you is that the wait and the torment make the thrill and sweetness that much greater. They didn't build Rome in a day as they say, and KITT is to cars as Rome is to cities!

Special thanks to all the people that have helped me on the way; Alastair, Joe (JKnightAndKARR), Ken (Wraith Innovations), and many others on the board that have offered their time for me to realize my dream. I hope I can give back even one fourth the knowledge I've learned.

Cheers to all KR friends near and far,
Scott

P.S. When the heck is the Registries going to be open?! I've been waiting for years to have my car in the completed car gallery!

Rafael · 06-09-2009, 09:13 PM

Looks Beautiful.... Can't wait for my Paint Job

1 step at a time... Been a long time for me too...

Raf

InspectorG · 06-09-2009, 10:30 PM

Nice

...

sheltonw3 · 06-10-2009, 12:02 AM

That cars sooooo beautiful,you just wanna cry!

Wraith Innovations · 06-10-2009, 12:58 AM

And that car has some serious muscle too. Thanks for the ride this weekend Scott.

Knight2339 · 06-10-2009, 04:26 AM

CONGRATS!!!!! I hope mine dont take that long though heh heh

Enjoy him

kanuck · 06-10-2009, 12:43 PM

Congrats! I'm on year 9 as well, so this gives me hope!

CJaguar265 · 06-10-2009, 01:14 PM

Never give up!! The Knight Rider motto!!

congrats on your replica. What did you go to college for Scott? if you don't mind me asking

KittCARR · 06-10-2009, 02:07 PM

On wow, that looks awesome. Now go out and enjoy it.

What a beautiful nose too, great job, Ken.

Congrats.

Joey.

blueshield6630 · 06-11-2009, 01:51 AM

Thanks for the words of encouragement! I feel like giving up on my KITT a lot these days. Haven't drove him in about a year. Long way to go too, no conversion parts yet. That is a sweet bumper. Ive been waiting to see that version on someones car. That is exactly what I want.

06-09-2009, 08:23 PM	#1
NaigonAkoii Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Seattle, WA (East Side) Posts: 148 Knight Space Profile Last Updated: 02-03-2009	Nine Year Dreams Can Come True I still remember that day almost nine years ago going to pick up my car for the first time. The excitement of the project I was about to take on was awesome, and I knew it would be amazing to transform a seemingly ordinary Trans Am into KITT. But years passed and progress was slow. Managing college undergrad and graduate degrees consumed a large amount of time. And so many road bumps encountered along the way; engine that wouldn't run, blown capacitors and sending my electronic boards back, countless hours of sanding and finishing dashboards, spaghetti wiring nightmares, an engine that would only run 5 seconds, a shifter that only shifted to 3rd and netural, and a leaky rebuilt transmission. So many times I felt like giving up; I even almost sold my car before moving from Florida back to Washington. Now the dream is realized. After 9 years of struggling and waiting, I finally don't have a project car inside my garage; I now have KITT! I got him back from the paint shop last week, and it was one of the most amazing and bittersweet moments of my life. Without further ado, here are pictures of my now completed (version 1 at least) KITT. My car the day I got it back from the paint shop. The above 3 were taken at a local 3rd/4th gen meetup. For all those that have waited years like I did, don't give up! My advice to you is that the wait and the torment make the thrill and sweetness that much greater. They didn't build Rome in a day as they say, and KITT is to cars as Rome is to cities! Special thanks to all the people that have helped me on the way; Alastair, Joe (JKnightAndKARR), Ken (Wraith Innovations), and many others on the board that have offered their time for me to realize my dream. I hope I can give back even one fourth the knowledge I've learned. Cheers to all KR friends near and far, Scott P.S. When the heck is the Registries going to be open?! I've been waiting for years to have my car in the completed car gallery! __________________ Naigon - 85 TA 350 TPI, Edelbrock Runners, Manifold, and Headers Hi-flo cat and 3" cat-back exhaust Harris Performance Chip and 180 thermostat Accel Brute Thunder 48,000v coil and cap K&N Cone Filter with custom shielded intake and TB airfoil http://naigon.xlphp.net

06-09-2009, 09:13 PM	#2
Rafael Senior Member Old Timer Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,970 Knight Space Profile Last Updated: 07-22-2008	Looks Beautiful.... Can't wait for my Paint Job 1 step at a time... Been a long time for me too... Raf __________________ Complete Kitt 4,841 Wav Files + Xtras DVD $45!

06-09-2009, 10:30 PM	#3
InspectorG Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 222 Knight Space Profile Last Updated: 06-16-2006	Nice ... __________________ http://www.t-smokeclan.com http://www.ClanKnightRider.com

06-10-2009, 12:02 AM	#4
sheltonw3 Senior Member Old Timer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hellfire and Brimstone!...A.K.A. portland Posts: 550 Knight Space Profile Last Updated: 06-18-2010	That cars sooooo beautiful,you just wanna cry! __________________ http://www.photoshack.com/albums/use...signature2.jpg

06-10-2009, 12:58 AM	#5
Wraith Innovations Senior Member Old Timer Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,169 Knight Space Profile Last Updated: 11-29-2008	And that car has some serious muscle too. Thanks for the ride this weekend Scott. __________________ Ken Glenn Wraith Innovations http://www.wraithinnovations.com/knight.html

06-10-2009, 04:26 AM	#6
Knight2339 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 18 Knight Space Profile Last Updated: 08-22-2009	CONGRATS!!!!! I hope mine dont take that long though heh heh Enjoy him

06-10-2009, 12:43 PM	#7
kanuck Senior Member Old Timer Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada Posts: 2,150 Knight Space Profile Last Updated: 01-28-2004	Congrats! I'm on year 9 as well, so this gives me hope! __________________ How's it goin, eh?

06-10-2009, 01:14 PM	#8
CJaguar265 Senior Member Old Timer Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Revere, MA Posts: 1,570 Knight Space Profile Last Updated: 10-29-2009	Never give up!! The Knight Rider motto!! congrats on your replica. What did you go to college for Scott? if you don't mind me asking __________________ When I drive my 1983 Pontiac Trans Am D500(KITT) it feels like I could fly, it's about respect, it's about looking in the mirror and knowing that you've done something valuable with your day. Go the distance, build it and he will come! Knight Rider Will Never Die!!

06-10-2009, 02:07 PM	#9
KittCARR Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 357 Knight Space Profile Last Updated: 12-05-2006	On wow, that looks awesome. Now go out and enjoy it. What a beautiful nose too, great job, Ken. Congrats. Joey. __________________ http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3236658 1982 Trans am- 4th season replica

06-11-2009, 01:51 AM	#10
blueshield6630 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Garfield Heights, Ohio Posts: 425 Knight Space Profile Last Updated: 10-02-2008	Thanks for the words of encouragement! I feel like giving up on my KITT a lot these days. Haven't drove him in about a year. Long way to go too, no conversion parts yet. That is a sweet bumper. Ive been waiting to see that version on someones car. That is exactly what I want. __________________ " I want custody of me! "

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