A replica of the iconic talking car Kitt from the 1980s television series Knight Rider has found itself in an unusual predicament: it received a $50 speeding ticket in New York City, despite being parked in a museum near Chicago for years. The Volo Museum in Illinois, which houses the black Pontiac Trans Am replica, was mailed the citation after a traffic camera allegedly caught the car going 9 mph over the limit in a 25 mph zone on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn on April 22.
The museum posted a copy of the citation on social media on May 7, showing two images of a black car resembling Kitt with a customized California license plate reading KNIGHT. The museum insists the vehicle “hasn’t moved … in years!” and has vowed to dispute the fine, jokingly asking if anyone has David Hasselhoff’s number to collect the $50.
How Did a Museum Car Get a NYC Speeding Ticket?
The Volo Museum’s Kitt replica was built in 1991 by Mark Scricani of Mark’s Custom Kits, using original production designs from the show. It was once owned by George Barris, the designer of the Batmobile for the 1960s Batman series, who autographed the car. The museum touts it as a “true masterpiece of automotive engineering and technology,” but it has remained stationary on display for years.
New York City officials have not commented on the case, but museum officials are seeking a hearing to contest the citation. The incident has gone viral, with many speculating that another replica with the same license plate might be responsible. The city’s traffic camera system likely matched the plate to the museum’s registered vehicle, triggering the fine.
The Rise of Automated Traffic Enforcement
This case highlights the challenges of automated traffic enforcement systems. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, speed cameras are used in over 180 U.S. communities to reduce accidents, but they can generate false positives when plate data is misread or duplicated. In 2023, a study by the University of Texas found that camera errors account for up to 5% of all citations, often due to similar license plates or reflections.
For the Volo Museum, the mix-up is a bizarre but harmless example of how technology can misfire. The museum’s social media post has sparked widespread amusement, with fans of the show calling it a real-life Knight Rider mystery.
Knight Rider: A Cultural Icon
The original Knight Rider series aired from 1982 to 1986, starring David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight, a former police officer who fights crime with Kitt, a sentient, talking car. The show was a global hit, known for its futuristic technology and Hasselhoff’s charisma. The Guardian once described it as “daft,” but it remains a beloved piece of 80s pop culture.
The Volo Museum’s replica is one of many fan-built tributes. While not an actual prop from the show, it was created with original design specs and has been featured at car shows and events. The museum’s collection includes other Hollywood vehicles, such as the Batmobile and the General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard.
What Happens Next?
The museum plans to fight the ticket at a hearing, arguing that the car was not in New York City on the date of the violation. If successful, the fine will be dismissed. Meanwhile, the story has become a cautionary tale about the limits of AI-driven traffic enforcement.
For now, the Knight Rider replica remains safely parked in Illinois, far from the Brooklyn streets where it was allegedly caught speeding. The museum’s lighthearted response has won over social media, with many offering to help pay the fine or track down the real culprit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the museum get a speeding ticket if the car never moved?
The New York City traffic camera captured a vehicle with the same license plate (KNIGHT) as the museum’s replica. The city’s automated system linked the plate to the museum’s registration and mailed the citation, even though the museum insists its car has not been driven in years.
Was this car used in the actual Knight Rider TV show?
No. The Volo Museum’s Kitt is a replica built in 1991 from original show production designs. It was not used in the series but is considered a piece of automotive history, having been owned by Batmobile designer George Barris.
What is the museum doing to resolve the ticket?
The Volo Museum is seeking a hearing to dispute the $50 fine. They plan to present evidence that the car was not in New York City on the date of the violation, likely leading to the citation being dismissed.
