Post by joef2002 on Oct 25, 2009 20:03:04 GMT -5
Hey gang,
In my crazy excitement to get working on the car, I realized that I starting posting a slew of questions (to which you've all been FANTASTIC with) but never officially 'introduced' myself to you as a new member! So who is JoeF2002? Well in case you're wondering...
My name is...yes...you guessed it...JOE! Since 2004, I've lived in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania (northeast portion of the state). I'm originally from Northern NJ...but my wife and I made the move out here for a cheaper (and in our personal opinion BETTER) quality of living. Married since 2005 with a two year-old boy. Currently shootin for another (no pun intended). We run our own computer application training company and have been doing so for the past 10 years with rising success each year.
I've loved Knight Rider since I was a little kid. I've seen every episode at least a dozen times...and even saw a conversion car in person once in NJ. But never did I think I'd get the opp to BUILD one. WOW! Our other hobby is motorcycling on the cuontry roads on our 100th anniversary HD Fatboy, but with the little one, we barely get out anymore (don't worry - god willing, we are NOT selling the bike and becoming those parents who sell everything they loved b4 they had kids).
Knight Rider was a spur of the moment decision for us as we sat one day watching old custom cars racing at the Nascar Pocono Raceway (about 10 minutes from where we live). We thought how cool would it be for us to do something like this. But being 'younger' (early 30's), we didn't want to get into the old 40's or 50's cars...even though I love em anyway. We figured let's bring out a 'new' genration of custom cars like KITT...because for us anyway, you never see them around (even though to my surprise there are a lot of you out there. Where r u hiding!?) Thus, our Knight Rider venture was born.
So I found an 88 GTA Trans AM Notchback is absolutely awesome shape in North Carolina. I know I know...it's a Notchback...but boy do they look sweet and standout a bit from the standard Trans'. Took a one-way flight down, had a AAA inspection done, and drove it 11 hours home (d**n these cars are NOT comfortable...AND they might as well have their own gas refinery built into them given the amount these things consume). The car was a little more expensive, but it had all the necessities I needed: auto, TTops (no leaks), new engine with 30 K, new tranny (which LEAKS because two holes are stripped out and thus the bolts don't all tighten ), original black (with new quality paintjob), and it RUNS. Even had a tan interior.
So far I've located the 82 taillights and the cowl hood from a nearby junkyard, already got the tailight blackout installed (thanks Stephen!), and have placed a scanner order with Brenon (so exciting!). I'm SOOOO nervous about the bumper from MCK...just because everyone has their opinions and some suggest not buying from them. But in my eyes, while opinions can be (and already HAVE been) very helpful, they are just that: opinions. I figured let me find my own way and make my own mistakes...but maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised at what I find along the journey.
My goal is to match the "Hollywood" version of KITT as close as I can, but I don't really care is some things are different (i.e. I have tan door panels, but they aren't the 'original KITT panels'). For me, very few people would know the difference anyway...all they see (and need to see) are the scanner and the interior dash and say: "It's KITT! WOW!".
So that's me! Sorry for rambling...but I figured I'd let you all know that I am serious about this hobby and look forward to working with you in the future. Not sure, but am I possibly the only one in the state of Pennsylvania with KITT? Hmmmmm.....
HAPPY CONVERTING EVERYONE!
In my crazy excitement to get working on the car, I realized that I starting posting a slew of questions (to which you've all been FANTASTIC with) but never officially 'introduced' myself to you as a new member! So who is JoeF2002? Well in case you're wondering...
My name is...yes...you guessed it...JOE! Since 2004, I've lived in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania (northeast portion of the state). I'm originally from Northern NJ...but my wife and I made the move out here for a cheaper (and in our personal opinion BETTER) quality of living. Married since 2005 with a two year-old boy. Currently shootin for another (no pun intended). We run our own computer application training company and have been doing so for the past 10 years with rising success each year.
I've loved Knight Rider since I was a little kid. I've seen every episode at least a dozen times...and even saw a conversion car in person once in NJ. But never did I think I'd get the opp to BUILD one. WOW! Our other hobby is motorcycling on the cuontry roads on our 100th anniversary HD Fatboy, but with the little one, we barely get out anymore (don't worry - god willing, we are NOT selling the bike and becoming those parents who sell everything they loved b4 they had kids).
Knight Rider was a spur of the moment decision for us as we sat one day watching old custom cars racing at the Nascar Pocono Raceway (about 10 minutes from where we live). We thought how cool would it be for us to do something like this. But being 'younger' (early 30's), we didn't want to get into the old 40's or 50's cars...even though I love em anyway. We figured let's bring out a 'new' genration of custom cars like KITT...because for us anyway, you never see them around (even though to my surprise there are a lot of you out there. Where r u hiding!?) Thus, our Knight Rider venture was born.
So I found an 88 GTA Trans AM Notchback is absolutely awesome shape in North Carolina. I know I know...it's a Notchback...but boy do they look sweet and standout a bit from the standard Trans'. Took a one-way flight down, had a AAA inspection done, and drove it 11 hours home (d**n these cars are NOT comfortable...AND they might as well have their own gas refinery built into them given the amount these things consume). The car was a little more expensive, but it had all the necessities I needed: auto, TTops (no leaks), new engine with 30 K, new tranny (which LEAKS because two holes are stripped out and thus the bolts don't all tighten ), original black (with new quality paintjob), and it RUNS. Even had a tan interior.
So far I've located the 82 taillights and the cowl hood from a nearby junkyard, already got the tailight blackout installed (thanks Stephen!), and have placed a scanner order with Brenon (so exciting!). I'm SOOOO nervous about the bumper from MCK...just because everyone has their opinions and some suggest not buying from them. But in my eyes, while opinions can be (and already HAVE been) very helpful, they are just that: opinions. I figured let me find my own way and make my own mistakes...but maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised at what I find along the journey.
My goal is to match the "Hollywood" version of KITT as close as I can, but I don't really care is some things are different (i.e. I have tan door panels, but they aren't the 'original KITT panels'). For me, very few people would know the difference anyway...all they see (and need to see) are the scanner and the interior dash and say: "It's KITT! WOW!".
So that's me! Sorry for rambling...but I figured I'd let you all know that I am serious about this hobby and look forward to working with you in the future. Not sure, but am I possibly the only one in the state of Pennsylvania with KITT? Hmmmmm.....
HAPPY CONVERTING EVERYONE!