Knight Rider, Recharged: Tesla Model 3 Becomes KITT

Christian Simpson’s Full-Self-Driving Homage to a Childhood Icon

For some, a car is just a way to get from A to B. For Christian Simpson, known across the Web as Peri Fractic, it’s a time machine and love letter to 1980s pop culture, and in the case of his Tesla, a fully electric leap into the future. Christian’s Model 3, cleverly dubbed KITTesla, is way more than just a Knight Rider-themed ride. It’s undoubtedly a tribute to his (well, ours!) childhood dreams, the celebration of retro tech, and maybe, the beginning of something even bigger. You may recognize Christian not just from his wildly popular YouTube channel, Retro Recipes (@RetroRecipes), but also from his work in Hollywood. As an actor in several Star Wars films and the current voice behind audio descriptions in everything from Bluey to Avengers: Endgame, Christian lives in a world of storytelling, and arguably, KITTesla is one of his best.

The Real KITT, Electrified

“I always wanted a real KITT,” he explains, as we stand next to his ‘murdered out’ black Model 3 with a scanner light pulsing on the nose. “When I got the Tesla, it already felt like it was 80% of the way there. So I thought, why not finish the job?” The project started with a simple red LED scanner light from Amazon. That quickly ignited a full-send transformation. The original 2019 metallic gray paint was soon hidden beneath a deep black wrap, later ceramic-coated to mimic what Christian calls “KITT’s molecular bonded shell,” which is a straight quote from the series.

This upcoming Trans Am will likely push Christian’s creativity even further, mixing 80s futurism with 21st-century incredible tech.

Japanese 18-inch replica wheels, modeled after KITT’s turbine style, were imported and fitted with signature “bowling ball” hubcaps. Wide arches were required to nicely cover them and give the 3 a better stance. Biometric entry via NFC ring, power-actuated doors and frunk, and a bespoke AI voice assistant give KITTesla that unmistakable ‘Knight Industries’ feel. “He opens the doors, pops the hood, and even drives himself when I call him,” Peri Fractic laughs. “The AI I designed has a full personality. He actually believes he is KITT. He doesn’t think he’s in a Tesla—or on a TV show.”

A Glydsphere EV sound system provides adjustable ‘turbine’ audio via phone app.

Step inside, and the theme continues. On the original Tesla screen is a looping animated interface lifted from the original Knight Rider show that plays on the display, mirroring KITT’s classic dashboard. The de rigueur yoke-style steering wheel is complete with a faux ‘Knight’ logo. Behind it sits an AI assistant named KAITT which will soon be available for download on iOS and Android.

A pulsing LED scanner and wide arches mimic the look of the original KITT.

Using voice commands from the inside or from Peri Fractic’s Apple Watch, KITTesla can open doors, activate turbo boost sound effects, and even recall nostalgic memories from its fictional past. “I asked him what it was like working with David Hasselhoff,” Christian recalls. “He told me Hasselhoff was a strong ally in upholding the mission—but didn’t remember anything about TV production. Because, of course, KITT doesn’t know he was on a TV show: he is KITT!’’

Christian’s next project? A real Pontiac Trans Am upgraded with a self-driving system, staying true to KITT’s spirit but built for the modern era.

Peri Fractic’s creativity doesn’t stop at visuals. Thanks to a project called Glydsphere, KITTesla sounds like a turbine-powered pursuit machine. The app-controlled EV speaker, mounted discreetly under the car, emits sound that adjusts with acceleration—complete with a custom “Tesla Industries 2000” soundtrack unlockable only for this build. “It’s like you’re driving in a video game,” he says. “People turn their heads. They hear it before they see it, and when they realize it’s a Tesla, they do a double take!”

Hollywood Location, Hollywood Build

We had the chance to not only take the wheel of KITTesla, but we did so at an iconic location for fans of the series and a very familiar spot for movie buffs—the Cougar Stadium, in Santa Clarita, California. This site was used frequently during Knight Rider filming. It’s where KITT once went into ski mode and drove on two side wheels and where he also launched off ramps. Christian revisited it not just for nostalgia’s sake but to pay tribute with his own footage from one of his iconic videos. His deep dives into Knight Rider lore and locations have become staples on Retro Recipes, where he shares behind-the-scenes history, technical breakdowns, and his ongoing mission to keep retro tech alive, from Commodore 64s to vintage synths. At the wheel, the experience and backdrop are surreal as a series fan. Same roads. Same stadium. But instead of a Pontiac Trans Am, I’m ‘driving’ a self-driving EV KITTesla. Mind-blowing.

Actor and content creator Peri Fractic built the ultimate new age Knight Rider based on a 2019 Tesla Model 3, now reborn as KITTesla.

The Sequel: A Real EV KITT

As KITTesla cruises past filming locations with ease and no human interaction thanks to FSD, Christian is already planning his next chapter. In his garage waits a screen-accurate Pontiac Trans Am, which he contemplates converting into a fully electric and partially autonomous machine—unless he opts for a hybrid option. After all, the ‘real’ KITT can actually run on any type of fuel! “Imagine KITT today, built with current tech,” he muses. “Not just a replica, but an evolution. Quiet, clean, and self-driving, but with every iconic detail preserved.” This upcoming Trans Am will likely push Christian’s creativity even further, mixing 80s futurism with 21st-century incredible tech. And as we’ve learned, when Peri Fractic imagines something—he builds it!