Inspired by the iconic 1980s TV series Knight Rider, I embarked on a project to build a Pinewood Derby car that resembled KITT, complete with the signature Kitt Car Scanner Sound. This wasn’t just about speed; it was about recreating a piece of pop culture in miniature, and the key was capturing KITT’s essence, especially that unmistakable scanner light and sound. Last year, my son sparked the idea, and after months of work, I finally brought this vision to life, heavily relying on Brickstuff products to achieve the desired effects.
The foundation of this project began with sourcing a custom CNC-milled Pinewood Derby car body from Etsy. Having had positive experiences with this seller in the past for classic Mustang and MG models, I commissioned a KITT body on April 10th. By October 30th, the meticulously crafted body arrived, measuring 7 inches long and 2 3/4 inches wide, weighing a mere 2.665 oz, well under the 5.0 oz Pinewood Derby limit. This lightweight base provided ample room to add components for the light and kitt car scanner sound features.
To replicate KITT’s iconic scanner light, I manually carved out a space in the car body to house the LEDs. I opted for Evan Designs KITT micro LEDs, choosing the 3V version for compatibility. Due to spatial constraints within the Pinewood Derby car’s frame, I had to carefully remove the first and sixth LEDs from the strip. Connecting these lights was made simple using a Brickstuff DIY cable, which seamlessly plugged into Port 1 of the Brickstuff TRUNK11 lighting effect controller. This controller is crucial for managing both the lights and, more importantly, the kitt car scanner sound.
The real magic of this KITT Pinewood Derby car lies in its sound capabilities. Ports 2-4 of the Brickstuff effect controller were dedicated to triggering sounds loaded onto the Brickstuff Intelligent Sound Module with Speaker. Port 2 was specifically programmed with the authentic kitt car scanner sound effect, instantly recognizable to any Knight Rider fan. For added flair, Port 3 was loaded with KITT’s reassuring phrase, “All systems go, Michael,” and Port 4 with the characteristically quirky, “It must be a problem in calibration!” These sound effects elevate the project from a simple visual replica to a truly immersive miniature KITT experience, complete with the iconic kitt car scanner sound.
Powering all these electronic components is a compact yet potent 3.7V 400mAh Lithium Ion Polymer Battery from Adafruit, managed by a Brickstuff LiPo Battery Power Supply. This power supply ensures stable and safe operation of the LEDs and the sound module, allowing for consistent kitt car scanner sound and lighting effects.
Performance was also a key consideration. The wheels were expertly lathed, smoothed, domed, and graphite-coated to minimize friction and maximize speed on the track. A silver paint pen was used to carefully paint the wheel trims, mimicking KITT’s distinctive wheels. Similarly, the axles are crafted from graphite-coated titanium, with the heads painted black using a black paint pen for a stealthy look.
Currently, the car weighs 4.675 oz. Leading up to race day on March 30th, I will fine-tune the weight to precisely 5.0 oz to meet the Pinewood Derby regulations, ensuring it’s not just a showpiece with a great kitt car scanner sound, but also a competitive racer.
Here’s a detailed parts list for anyone inspired to build their own KITT Pinewood Derby car with scanner sound:
- Evan Designs KITT LEDs: https://evandesigns.com/products/knight-rider-light-circuit?variant=12394475552816
- Brickstuff DIY Cables: https://www.brickstuff.com/store/p18/diy-jst-cables-for-arduino.html
- Brickstuff 4-Channel RF Remote with Effect Controller: https://www.brickstuff.com/store/p203/TRUNK11-RF.html
- Brickstuff Intelligent Sound Module with Speaker: https://www.brickstuff.com/store/p205/TRUNK90.html
- Brickstuff LiPo Battery Power Supply with Switch: https://www.brickstuff.com/store/p137/lipo-5v-power-supply.html
- 3.7V 400mAh Lithium Ion Polymer Battery: https://www.adafruit.com/product/3898
