Jv
I think you would like the aroshima kits thay are still available
In a few shops I just got a season 1 the other day

Christian W
I know and I have them too. Aoshima did a good job allover the car. The proportions, lines, fitting and details are very good. (I own a regular 1989 and know every little piece of the car)
But I have minus points too: I think MPC did a better job on the rims itself but I like the look of the Aoshima better because they look bigger.
Aoshimas seats aren't that good made around the headrest. There the MPC is closer to the original.
The dashboard looks better by MPC - the edges looking smoother I think.

And this is only that, what I noticed on the first look. O didn't do a comparison of them so far.

Jv
Always interesting to hear your details and how much you know
I think you would have a field day whed my corvette build

Christian W
🙂
Thanks Jv.
I think I *had* over 30 kits of KITT in my shelf. Mostly 1st and 2nd issue.
*Nowerday* there must be a dozen or so (didn't count them lately) in my shelf
From the first issue by MPC (1982) up to the 1988 (and 2014 issue) issues are still in the box and in the bags. The 2002 issues are in the waiting hall for completing (I think 4-5).
Yesterday I gladly grabbed the rare issue by Airfix. I'm so excited, what marks are in the sprues, chassis or interior tube and what kinds of differences it has.
So I'm only hunting for a sealed AMT/ERTL by 2002 (#31538) to get my collection complete (except this Bravo and Nigo issue - didn't see one in decades)

I'm writing this now, without checking the boxes or parts, sprues or bodies. Just put it out of my brain 🙂 I'm collecting KITT. and it's based cars since more than 30 years. I only checked the numbers on scalemates.
I know, that the rear seats changes too within the lifecycle of KITT but I'm not sure with which year. I think it was 1986, as the "Black Gold" Firebird was issued (#1-0733). It's rear seats are definitely different from the 1991 issue of the GTA...

-> 1982
The very first Firebird of the 3rd generation (with T-Roof!) came on the market (by MPC #1-0832). I think, the Airfix issue (#06437) was earlier but both are (c) in 1982. I'll check the decals of both. It probably could be, that the decals have printed the month and year on the backside (I saw this on the 1995/1996 Pontiac Firebird Formula). And: some film hero cars were issued by Airfix *and* MPC in the same year but never by Airfix.
--Fun fact: this issue does not have the scanner printed on the front bracket of the body. Damn right, because KITT wasn't on the market yet.

-> 1984 - first KITT hit the market (MPC #1-0675 / Airfix #9 06460). I only have the MPC yet.
When you look for the best / nearest kit to KITT, grab this. The body and interior is the only issue, with the correct details (Fender Vents, no badges on the B-pillars or rubber guards on the sides, arm rest big and boxy, inner door handles correct, flat rear lights) and it came with tinted windows.
--Fun fact: every KITT issue was updated parallel to the new issue of the Pontiac Firebird / Trans Am.

-> 1987
The GTA was issued (#6209 / 1987)
The changes are: it has GTA badges and tiny tiny "Trans Am" letters below it (awesome detail) on it's front fenders and , the shield formed badge on the B-pillars. The fender vents are gone.
The interior changed too: the door panels and the arm rest between the front seats.
--Fun fact: with this issue on, the "regular" model kit of the Pontiac Firebird / Trans Am has the scanner of KITT on the front bracket. You can see it on the body. That part is hidden by the front bumper anyway.

-> 1988 - second issue of KITT (#6377)
It has the "news" like the GTA. The correct details are gone. But it came with tinted windows.

-> 1989
The Turbo Trans Am was issued (#6932 / 1989).
"Turbo" badges on the front fenders, "screaming chicken" badge on the B-pillars and those "Indianapolis" badge at the bottom of the front fenders, because it was used as an official pace car in Indianapolis.

-> 1991
The original got a face lift (so called bunshee front) so the kit became and the GTA came in an updated version (#6158 / 1991).
The badges changed again: the badge on the fender wasn't completely readable like the GTA from 1987: it only says GTA and a square box under it was empty, again little shield formed badges on the B-pillars, the "Indianapolis" badge is gone.

-> 2002 - third issue of KITT (#31538)
The fact, that the 3rd Generation was stopped in 1992, the 1991 GTA was packed into the box.

Christian W
I have some pictures of the boxes in the album
1982 Knight Rider - My unbuild kits | Album by christian-w (1:25). but it's not up-to-date. I have to rework on that. Take a detailed look on the writings on the box. There are differences to even the kit number is the same
(#6377)

Bob Hall
See what I mean by " German Efficiency " 🇩🇪⚒️😐 ! But I guess you don't mess with the Deutsch when it comes to "The Hoffs" car ! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Jv
I do appreciate your knowledge about kits it is impressive
And its always interesting to hear how much you know
But I think I will just stick whed the 4 kitt kits I got
And collect other cars I like to

Starbase101
I too collect Firebird/KITT kits, and have practically every Knight Rider and 3rd Gen Firebird kit that's been released (to cherry-pick parts for building an accurate KITT).

Starbase101

I have the Airfix kit and can tell you it's the same as the original issue MPC kit, just a different box (same parts tooling).

(The '91/'92 kits were for building a model of my car, or rather, the car I had before upgrading to a 2023 Corvette - Youtube Video)

Jv
Sure some amazing facts for me the precise reproduction is not that important and collecting just one model is not my intention
But fabulous work an good on you guys for having that intensest and your knowledge is sure valued

Jv
Now if you can check my last buil out an helped whed some suggestions would be interesting at the moment I am looking at anthracite gray over silver or silver over anthracite gray

Christian W
I took a look into my boxes - to get things clear.

The interior changed in 1986 with the kit of the Pontiac Firebird #6393 (Pontiac Firebird (MPC/Ertl 6396, 1:25))

As I guessed, the issues of 2002 the Turbo Trans Am Body is in the kit.

Jv
That is not a knight rider kit anyways

Jv
Thise 1/1 are not so common here
But very cheap all know thay muscle cars whed no muscle

Bob Hall
We don't call them Pontiwrecks for nothing !

Jv
Good looking car whed no go
And a very desapointing interior
I just got the kitt one because I use to wach it on TV
But I do like the older models the real fire chicken

Bob Hall
Yes, out side the Buick Grand National the Fox Body Mustang and few random American made cars, the 80's were a bit of a disappointment for the true Muscle car fan !

Jv
Yep agree 80s and 90s were mostly a flop

Bob Hall
Now the Super truck craze of the early 90' was cool ! The GMC cyclones out ran Ferraris! And I a firm love of the 93 Ford Lightning !

Christian W
@Jv ... As I wrote in the long post: KITT bases always on the current Pontiac Firebird model kit.
I wrote too, that I know, that the backseats changed the pattern and I didn't knew or looked it up, when I wrote the long list.
I only fullfilled that gap.

That's it and I do know, that this is no KITT. But again: KITT was a sidekick as long as the production of the Pontiac Firebird run.

Christian W
After I purchased the Airfix kit, I know, that this was designed to be sold on the european market. Every writings on the box are for Europe. It makes sence. In those times, "we" were not able to get model kits by MPC / AMT / ERTL. Internet wasn't born as far as I know and there where no resellers on our side of the ocean.