KITT Almost Was a Datsun: Knight Rider’s Grand Am Origin Story
Knight Rider’s KITT was almost a Datsun 280ZX, but a GM-backed switch to the Pontiac Grand Am won out after concerns about timing and executives worrying the premise sounded silly; designer John Schinella sketched the final look on a napkin and early 1982 Grand Am prototypes were used for filming, helping the car become an iconic TV icon.