FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO AUCTION “KNIGHT RIDER” FORD SHELBY MUSTANGS AT BARRETT-JACKSON PALM BEACH
All Proceeds to Benefit to Ford’s “Salute to Education” Program
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., March 14, 2008 - Ford Motor Company will auction a piece of TV history when it sells two of the actual KITT Ford Shelby Mustangs used in NBC’s “Knight Rider” pilot at the 6th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event on March 29, 2008, in West Palm Beach, Fla. The cars, which will be sold to benefit Salute to Education, appeared as Ford Shelby GT500KRs that had been transformed into a “Knight Industries 3000″ (KITT) for the show. SPEED will broadcast the sale of the KITT Mustangs live during its auction coverage in the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
“The Barrett-Jackson Automotive lifestyle event in Palm Beach always attracts many celebrities, and this year someone will take home two genuine TV stars,” said Steve Davis, president of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. “This is a once in a lifetime chance to own a pair of celebrity cars with extraordinary star power, while also supporting a worthy charity. Imagine going to the office or dropping your kid off at school in KITT. Ford and Barrett-Jackson are offering a chance to live the ‘Knight Rider’ experience every day.”
Ford partnered with NBC to create a new KITT supercar, inspired by the new Shelby GT500KR, to star in the “Knight Rider” TV series which premiered on NBC on February 17, 2008. “Super KITT” and “Attack Mode KITT” will be sold as a pair (Lot #665 and #665.1) with all proceeds to benefit Salute to Education.
Ford Motor Company, participating Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers and Ford Motor Credit fund Salute to Education. Through programs such as Salute to Education, more than $7 million has been given to high school students over the last 16 years to jumpstart their education with scholarships for college.
“Super KITT” was built using a black Mustang GT with 4.6 Liter V8 that was upfitted with a Ford Racing Whipple Super-charger to make 500 horsepower. Additional performance elements include 6-piston Brembo Brakes, FRC500 Suspension Pak, High Flow Ford Racing X-Pipe and Ford Racing mufflers with stainless tips. The exterior sports a GT500KR fiberglass hood with a KITT heartbeat light, GT500 front and rear bumper covers, matte black LeMans stripes, matte finish rocker panels, GT500KR rear spoilers and 20″ forged aluminum wheels.
“Attack Mode KITT” began as a black Mustang GT with 4.6 Liter V8, auto transmission, custom front valance/grille based on the GT500KR, carbon graphite chin spoiler, custom rear bumper cover, custom side faux air scoops, custom side skirt/rocker panel, two-tiered rear spoiler, custom rear window insert, custom turn signal trim, custom headlight trim brow and 20″ forged black aluminum wheels. Performance features include Brembo Brakes, a FRC Suspension Pak and Ford Racing mufflers with stainless tips.
“We’re pleased to offer these cars, which have already become cultural icons, at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Palm Beach,” added Robert Parker, car marketing manager for Ford Motor Company. “‘Knight Rider’ gave the public an opportunity to see some of the capabilities of the new 540 horsepower Ford Shelby GT500KR, though the standard production model does not include all the ‘enhancements’ made to KITT. The new owner of these cars will have a piece of Hollywood and also help thousands of students realize their dream for a college or university education.”
The two KITT cars were created to look like the new Ford Shelby GT500KR pony cars created by Ford Motor Company and Shelby Automomobiles. The 5.4 Liter 540-horsepower Ford Shelby GT500KR is the most powerful factory-built Mustang ever produced. Approximately 1,000 total 2008 coupes will be built at Shelby’s facility in Las Vegas and arrive in dealerships this summer.
With all proceeds benefiting Salute to Education, the two KITT cars will join a long list of cars in Palm Beach that will be auctioned for charity including several from the hit HBO series “The Sopranos.” On March 26, Barrett-Jackson will host their annual Opening Night Gala to raise money for The Darrell Gwynn Foundation and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. During the 2007 Palm Beach event, Barrett-Jackson raised over $500,000 for various charities.
About Barrett-Jackson
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Events™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla. and Las Vegas. Visit www.barrett-jackson.com for more information.
Media Contact
Luke DeRouen lderouen@timepiecepr.com or 214.520.3430 ext. 301 (www.timepiecepr.com)