The truck known as Goliath from the original Knight Rider TV series is one of the most memorable villains in the show—essentially a super-powered evil twin of KITT, but in semi-truck for
Goliath is a heavily armored semi-truck that appeared in two key episodes:
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"Goliath" (Season 2, Episodes 1–2, 1983)
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"Goliath Returns" (Season 3, Episodes 17–18, 1984)
It was created by Garthe Knight, the evil son of Wilton Knight (KITT's creator), as part of his plan to destroy Michael Knight and FLAG (Foundation for Law and Government).
Real-Life Truck Details
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Make & Model: Goliath was based on a 1970s–early '80s Kenworth W900 tractor unit, a popular and powerful long-haul truck with a long-nose (conventional cab) design.
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Trailer: The truck towed a matching semi-trailer, also customized. The trailer was used to house high-tech equipment and missiles in the show.
Modifications (Fictional & Real):
Fictional:
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Molecular Bonded Shell: Like KITT, Goliath was armored with an impenetrable shell made from the same fictional alloy.
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Weapons: Armed with missiles and capable of plowing through tanks and buildings.
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Driver Assistance: Driven by Garthe Knight (played by David Hasselhoff in a dual role), assisted by his mother Elizabeth Knight and a team of mercenaries.
Real-Life:
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Visual Effects: The destruction and combat scenes were a combination of stunt work and practical effects, with some minor model work.
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Armor: The armored appearance was achieved through custom fiberglass or metal plating over the truck’s real body. The spikes, grills, and paneling were bolted on for intimidation.
Garthe Knight / David Hasselhoff
David Hasselhoff played both Michael Knight and Garthe Knight, using different wardrobe and a fake beard to distinguish the two. The doppelgänger theme, combined with Goliath as the anti-KITT, added a mythic "good vs evil" element to the show.
Goliath’s Role in the Story
Goliath wasn't just a vehicle—it was a character. It symbolized brute force, corruption, and megalomania, while KITT symbolized intelligence, ethics, and justice.
Legacy & Trivia
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Fan Favorite: Goliath is still one of the most iconic villain vehicles in '80s TV.
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Toy Models & Replicas: Several fan builds and models of Goliath exist, though it was never as widely merchandised as KITT.
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Stunt Damage: The truck used in the show sustained real damage during filming, especially in explosive scenes.
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