Ref. 30848-15NICK Gilchrist and his car are Swindon's answer to Michael Knight and KITT stars of the 1980s hit TV series Knight Rider.

The 40-year-old from Middleleaze has spent £20,000 transforming his Toyota MR2, which cost only £5,000, into a disco on wheels.

And just like KITT, which helped nailed criminals, it too can boast a name SHOCK.

Now Mr Gilchrist, a store manager, has been invited to show off his pride and joy at one of the country's top motor shows.

And there are even plans to use the car to advertise a new computer game Juiced which is expected for release in September.

Although its proud owner hasn't quite managed to make it talk as KITT did, it still earns enviable stares from passing motorists.

That's because it's packed with gimmicks and add-ons that are more likely to be seen in a trendy apartment than a car.

Take the slick lighting system for example. The car has six strobes as well as both interior and exterior lights that can produce 27 different colours.

And if passengers ever get bored of the disco experience they can simply sit back in the cushioned racing seats, pop a DVD or video game into the onboard PlayStation and lose themselves in fantasyland.

Many of the parts including a £1,800 body kit, designed to make the car more aerodynamic had to specially imported.

Although the car was bought three years ago, Mr Gilchrist did not start the project until last Christmas.

"It was always my intention to create a very special car with definite wow factor, so I spent months searching for exclusive parts that had never been featured on any car in the UK," he said.

But his desire for originality has come with a heavy price tag. The 18-inch alloy wheels alone set him back £2,000, with an extra £600 paid for the tyres.

Many of the car's admirers are boy-racers who have recently passed their tests.

"They love it," said Mr Gilchrist, who can't wait for next month's show.

"The majority of the people who attend these kind of events are a lot younger than myself, but we all get on really well because we have the same hobby."

Sadly, 10-year-old son Jonathon is not being picked up from school by his dad in his super car.

Mr Gilchrist explained: "It tends to generate a bit of a crowd.

"Ferrari drivers don't really like me this is the car version of Jordan."

Kevin Shoesmith