148. The Pile Up EP29: Knight Industries Two Thousand
About this episode
A lively discussion centered around the Chevy Citation and its legacy, including its status as a 'disposable car' and the nostalgia it evokes among listeners. The hosts share humorous anecdotes, listener stories, and delve into the car's history, including its sales success in 1980. The conversation transitions to a deep dive on the iconic Knight Industries Two Thousand (KITT) from Knight Rider, exploring its features, design process, and cultural impact, with plenty of laughs and personal reflections along the way.
The girls gab about an iconic Trans AM & listener reaction to the Chevy Citation.
Recorded @iapdx
Recorded & mixed by Emdognightmare & Queen of the Vans
Editor: Emdognightmare
Production & research Queen of the Vans & Emdognightmare
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Hugs, thank you & high fives to Greg Meleney for the killer tunez!
Chevy Citation
"Yeah, you know what people cared about was the Chevy citation people love the Chevy citation. Love they love to hate the Chevy citation. Uh-huh"
The Chevy Citation was a popular car made by Chevrolet in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was known for being affordable and was the best-selling car in the U.S. in 1980.
The Chevy Citation was a compact car produced by Chevrolet that became notable for being the best-selling car in America in 1980. It was part of the General Motors X-body platform and was known for its affordability and practicality.
Valiant
"It was the best-selling car in America for 1980. Yeah, and it was I think motor trans car of the year. Car of the year of the whole entire year 1976 was the Valar a mind you"
The Plymouth Valiant was a small car made by Plymouth that was known for being reliable. It won an award for Car of the Year in 1976.
The Plymouth Valiant was a compact car produced by Chrysler from 1960 to 1976. It was known for its durability and was popular during its production run, receiving accolades such as Motor Trend's Car of the Year in 1976.
disposable car
"...what you brilliantly said was it was the first disposable car? Oh"
A 'disposable car' is a car that is made to be cheap and easy to replace, rather than built to last for many years. This idea became popular when car manufacturers started making more affordable models.
The term 'disposable car' refers to vehicles designed to be inexpensive and easily replaceable, often with lower build quality and longevity. This concept emerged in the context of the automotive industry focusing on affordability over durability.
X-11
"...definitely was not an X 11 sounds like the gutless wonder. Yeah, yeah"
The X-11 was a special version of the Chevrolet Citation that had some performance upgrades. It was meant to make the car more fun to drive compared to the regular model.
The X-11 was a performance package offered for the Chevrolet Citation, which included enhancements like a sport suspension and upgraded engine options. It was aimed at making the Citation more appealing to enthusiasts.
Chevrolet Corvette
"...st time? That was how we got that Corvair or the Corvette the 83 Corvette Oh"
Chevrolet Corvair
"...that was how we got that Corvair or the Corvette the 83 Corvette..."
The Chevrolet Corvair is a small car that was made in the 1960s. It had a different design than most cars of that time because its engine was in the back instead of the front.
The Chevrolet Corvair was a compact car produced by Chevrolet from 1960 to 1969. It is known for its unique design and rear-engine layout, which was uncommon for American cars at the time.
neutral safety switch
"...as for my New Year's Eve the blue meeting's neutral safety switch went out leaving me stranded after..."
The neutral safety switch is a part that stops your car from starting unless it's in the right gear. It's a safety feature to help prevent accidents.
A neutral safety switch is a safety feature in automatic vehicles that prevents the engine from starting unless the transmission is in 'Park' or 'Neutral'. This prevents accidental movement of the vehicle when starting it.
overheating
"...and it overheated every time. It's where I learned to turn the heater on to cool the car off..."
Overheating happens when a car's engine gets too hot, which can cause serious problems. It usually means there's an issue with the cooling system.
Overheating occurs when an engine's temperature exceeds its normal operating range, which can lead to severe engine damage. It can be caused by low coolant levels, a faulty thermostat, or a malfunctioning water pump.
hot hatches
"...as for hot hatches. It was used to describe eco boxes. That's a quote of the early 80s...race the VW GTI, the Civic hatch, Ford Fiesta, etc..."
Hot hatches are small cars with a hatchback design that are designed for fun driving. They are usually sporty and have good performance, making them popular among car enthusiasts.
Hot hatches are small, sporty hatchback cars that offer performance and fun driving dynamics while maintaining practicality. They originated in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with models like the VW GTI leading the way in this segment.
Volkswagen GTI
"...race the VW GTI, the Civic hatch, Ford Fiesta, etc..."
The Volkswagen GTI is a sporty version of the regular Golf car. It's designed to be fun to drive and is popular among people who like fast cars.
The Volkswagen GTI is a performance-oriented version of the Volkswagen Golf, known for its sporty handling and turbocharged engine. It is one of the original hot hatches and has a strong following among enthusiasts.
Ford Fiesta
"...the VW GTI, the Civic hatch, Ford Fiesta, etc..."
The Ford Fiesta is a small car that is easy to drive and park. It comes in a hatchback style, which makes it practical for everyday use while still being fun to drive.
The Ford Fiesta is a subcompact car known for its efficient use of space and agile handling. It has been available in various body styles, including a sporty hatchback version, making it popular among urban drivers.
Honda Civic hatch
"...the VW GTI, the Civic hatch, Ford Fiesta, etc..."
The Honda Civic hatch is a version of the Honda Civic that has a hatchback style. It's known for being practical and fun to drive, making it a good choice for many people.
The Honda Civic hatch is a variant of the popular Honda Civic, offering a hatchback design that combines practicality with sporty performance. It has been a favorite among drivers looking for a versatile and fun car.
Dodge Aries
"...he replaced it with the Dodge Aries or maybe a Plymouth reliant..."
The Dodge Aries is a small car that Dodge produced in the 1980s. It was popular for being budget-friendly and reliable.
The Dodge Aries was a compact car produced by Dodge from 1981 to 1989. It was part of the K platform and was known for its affordability and practicality.
Plymouth Reliant
"...or maybe a Plymouth reliant and he said the K car was left out during a thunderstorm..."
The Plymouth Reliant is a small car that Plymouth made in the 1980s. It was designed to be affordable and efficient for drivers.
The Plymouth Reliant was a compact car produced by Plymouth from 1981 to 1989, sharing the same K platform as the Dodge Aries. It was known for its good fuel economy and practicality.
K car
"...the K car is not real great either. What's the K car because this came up in the brain buster, too..."
The K car is a type of car platform created by Chrysler that many small cars were built on in the 1980s. It was important for the company's success during that time.
The K car refers to a platform developed by Chrysler in the early 1980s that underpinned several models, including the Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant. It was significant for its front-wheel-drive layout and helped Chrysler recover financially during that era.
Knight Industries 2000
"...2000 aka KIT TTI TT aka kit. Yes"
Knight Industries 2000, or KITT, is a talking car from the TV show Knight Rider. It was special because it could drive itself and had a personality, making it a favorite among fans.
Knight Industries 2000, often referred to as KITT, is a fictional artificial intelligence and the main character in the TV show Knight Rider. KITT is known for its advanced technology and capabilities, including self-driving features and a personality.
Pontiac Trans Am
"...this is part of the reason why I bought a trans am"
The Pontiac Trans Am is a type of sports car that was made by Pontiac. It's famous for its cool looks and powerful engines, and it became well-known from TV shows and movies.
The Pontiac Trans Am is a performance version of the Pontiac Firebird, known for its sporty design and powerful engine options. It gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, especially due to its appearances in movies and TV shows like Knight Rider.
Ford Escape
"...t needs to go 10 feet in the air to get to a fire escape or 20 feet in the air to get onto a helicopter B..."
The Ford Escape is a small SUV that can carry more people and stuff than a regular car. It's great for driving around town or going on trips, and it has a lot of features to keep you safe and comfortable.
The Ford Escape is a compact SUV that was first introduced in 2000, designed to offer a balance of utility and comfort for urban and suburban drivers. It has undergone several redesigns, enhancing its technology, safety features, and fuel efficiency, making it a popular choice for families and individuals alike.
self-driving
"...the thing that about the self-driving is they couldn't do the scenes for a really long time because it was really..."
Self-driving means that a car can drive itself without needing a person to control it. It uses special technology to see the road and make decisions, like when to stop or turn.
Self-driving technology refers to vehicles that can operate without human input, using a combination of sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence to navigate and control the car. This technology is at the forefront of automotive innovation and aims to improve safety and convenience.
Pontiac Firebird
"...ody right. Uh, you know, okay So in 1982 Pontiac firebird trans am they were really struggling And but Pon..."
The Pontiac Firebird is a sporty car that was made for many years, famous for its cool looks and powerful engine. It's a car that a lot of people remember from movies and shows, making it a popular choice among car enthusiasts.
The Pontiac Firebird is a classic American muscle car that was produced from 1967 to 2002. Known for its distinctive styling and performance, the Firebird, particularly the Trans Am variant, became an iconic symbol of the muscle car era and is often celebrated for its role in automotive history and pop culture.
Pontiac's last year of production
"...I think it was around 2008. Yeah, it was around that crash..."
Pontiac was a car brand that stopped making cars in 2010. They made popular models like the Trans Am, and people are reminiscing about when they stopped making them.
Pontiac was a division of General Motors that ceased operations in 2010. The discussion reflects on the timeline of Pontiac's last models, including the Trans Am, which was a significant part of the brand's identity.
100 year anniversary of Pontiac
"So this year is the 100 year anniversary of Pontiac. Wow"
This year marks 100 years since Pontiac was created, which is a big deal for car enthusiasts and the brand itself.
The 100 year anniversary of Pontiac marks a century since the brand's founding in 1926, celebrating its history and contributions to the automotive industry.
Pacific Motor Transport
"...pmt was pacific motor transport and it was the trucking company that took the cars from the van nye's assembly plant to the..."
Pacific Motor Transport is a company that helps move cars from where they're made to where they need to go, like dealerships. They ensure that cars are delivered safely and on time.
Pacific Motor Transport is a trucking company that specializes in transporting vehicles. They played a key role in moving cars from manufacturing plants to dealerships or other locations.
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