Jalopnik: King Of The Road

The Knight Rider Stripper Helps Us Banish our Pre-Mustang KITT Memories

Ray Wert — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 10:30:00 EST

So we had kind of a big n' exclusive story yesterday — something about K.I.T.T. being a Shelby GT500KR Mustang in the new TV series. Yeah, that was it. Despite what we're sure will be a great deal of hoopla surrounding the arrival of the new talking Knight Rider ride, a great number of us still have fond memories of the old F-body Pontiac. We wanted to give you an opportunity to breathe in those fond memories and let them alight in your brain one more time — and then watch as they get ripped to shreds by the unbelievably horrifying Knight Rider stripper. America may have talent, but she certainly did not. Watch the full train wreck above which may or may not be safe for work, depending on if you're allowed to see ladies wearing next to nothing.

Exclusive First Pictures of KITT From The New Knight Rider TV Series: Yes, It's a Shelby GT500KR

Ray Wert — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:01:00 EST

UPDATE: Sources with the involved companies tell us this is the real car — the actual car to be used in the show. But, because "it wasn't working at the effects studio yesterday," someone did photoshop the red light. UPDATE #2: We now have the official first images from the folks at NBC and Ford here, and the exclusive first video of the new KITT available here. Our detective work's paid off on yesterday's rumor on the new KITT. Now not only do we have off the record confirmation from the "involved parties" that KITT will lose the GM third generation F-body (and legions of mullet-swinging fans), but also that he'll be moving up a few steps on the horsepower ladder. That's right, everyone's favorite talking car (no, not spelled K-A-R-R) will be played by a black-with-gray-stripes 550 HP Ford Shelby GT500KR Mustang in the new Knight Rider TV show. And thanks to a very helpful tipster who's preference is to remain anonymous (we don't blame 'em) we've got the proof to show you — photos taken from inside of the vehicle build facility out in LA where they're prepping the new Knight Industries 'stang for Cylon-like close-ups. Yes friends, this is the new KI Two Thousand — who wants to touch it? I said, who wants to touch it? OK, well how about just your two cents? Anybody?

King of the Road Shelby GT500KR Finds Extra Horsepower

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:44:00 EDT

Apparently Ford's uprated Shelbyfied Mustang GT500 — the GT500KR or "King of the Road" — is getting a touch more horsepower than expected. According to Blue Oval News, after Carroll Shelby visted Ford's Dearborn Proving Grounds this past Friday, Ford increased its horsepower projection of the KR from 540 to 550. Was Ford being coy in the face of competition? We have no idea, though with the top-line SuperSnake on the way, sporting 600 or 725 horsepower, such tomfooligans are wholly unnecessary. Could a 650-hp, Viper-engined Challenger be in the cards? [Blue Oval News]

Future Shelbys in North Vegas, Baby

Mike Bumbeck — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 17:15:00 EDT

On our way into Mopars at the Strip this morning we were greeted by the sight of hundreds of Ford Mustangs lined up next to none other than the Shelby Automobiles HQ in North Vegas. Could this be the working stock for a heap of Shelby GT500KR monsters? That's the Shelby building way off over to the left. – Mike Bumbeck

King of the Road Indeed: The 2008 Shelby Cobra GT500KR Concept Surfaces

Mike Spinelli — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 11:49:47 EDT

Is 540 horsepower (and 510 lb-ft of torque) sent to a live rear axle enough to constitute monarchical sovereignty over all thoroughfares? You make the call, we'll make with the specs on the 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR. The name recalls one of the last Shelby Mustangs to be produced during the late 1960s. This King comes with a six-speed manual and a rear axle ratio of 3.73:1. It gets the Ford Racing power package, which includes a modified ECU and cold-air intake; performance suspension including stiffer springs, dampers, and stabilizer bars; Shelby-designed 18" wheels (20" for show purposes); short-throw shifter and front strut tower brace; carbon composite hood featuring classic Shelby 'KR' design, and front brake cooling ducts. We'll see it at the New York auto show next week ahead of its arrival next spring for a run of 1000 units. – Mike Spinelli

SHELBY GT500KR 'KING OF THE ROAD' RETURNS IN 2008 [StangsUnleashed.com]

New York Auto Show Preview: It's Good To Be The King...Of The Road

Ray Wert — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 18:26:13 EDT

No folks, it's not 1968, but Carroll Shelby's anointing a new King of The Road at the New York Auto Show, and we've got the video above to prove it — thanks to a little bird named Alan. If you'll remember, the original royal Shelby Cobra GT500-KR was a hot piece of twat, with a suspiciously low horsepower rating of 335. Of course, it was said that dynoing uncovered an extra 100 ponies grazing within FoMoCo's 428 ci Police Interceptor V8. And that was a vehicle with a base price of $4,473. Unfortunately our little bird hasn't given us any specs on what Shelby plans on revealing next week, so we'll have to see whether it'll be a hurried-up Corvette SS-beater or whether it's actually worthy of the crown. – Ray Wert