Calling the General Lee simply “the car from The Dukes of Hazzard” is a bit of an understatement. Like Batman’s Batmobile or James Bond’s Aston Martin, the bright orange 1969 Dodge Charger RT from the CBS series wasn’t just transportation for the Duke boys – it was a star in its own right. Featured prominently in the opening credits, even before the actors, this vehicle, renowned for its gravity-defying jumps, daring water crossings, and signature style, became as iconic as Boss Hogg’s ever-present cigar or Daisy Duke’s famous shorts. Instantly recognizable due to its vibrant paint job, welded doors, and the Confederate flag emblazoned on its roof, the General Lee and its improbable stunts often stole the show, becoming a highlight for viewers tuning in each week.
However, unlike the show’s human stars, such as John Schneider (Bo Duke) or Tom Wopat (Luke Duke), the General Lee wasn’t a singular entity. In reality, approximately 300 different 1969 Dodge Chargers played the role of the General Lee during the show’s impressive seven-season run. True to the era of practical effects, nearly every breathtaking car stunt seen in The Dukes of Hazzard was performed live by skilled stunt drivers. Forget CGI or camera tricks; that iconic jump over a dirt ramp in the opening sequence was a real car launching approximately 16 feet into the air. This commitment to authentic action meant a harsh reality for the vehicles: most jumps resulted in significant damage upon impact, effectively totaling the cars. In fact, it’s estimated that an average of three Chargers were sacrificed per episode during the show’s lengthy 147-episode production.
Interestingly, while you might not bump into John Schneider or Tom Wopat on the street every day, you actually can visit a General Lee in person. Despite the high attrition rate during filming, a reported 19 screen-used General Lees survived the show’s demanding production schedule. In 1991, Warner Bros., the studio behind The Dukes of Hazzard, auctioned off 17 of these surviving vehicles to private collectors. Adding an air of mystery, buyers were bound by a unique stipulation: they could never publicly disclose the price they paid for their piece of television history. For fans eager to see a genuine General Lee, several are now on public display. One of these, believed to be the oldest surviving General Lee from the series, is a star attraction at the Volo Museum in Volo, Illinois. Car enthusiasts visiting the Volo Museum can also admire other famous screen cars, including the iconic 1966 Batmobile. Another screen-used General Lee is proudly exhibited at the Hollywood Star Cars Museum in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, allowing fans to get up close with this piece of television history. Furthermore, for those traveling to Murdo, South Dakota, a General Lee, though used primarily for promotional photoshoots rather than on-screen stunts, can be seen at the Pioneer Auto Show.
However, the post-show lives of all General Lees haven’t been smooth sailing. In a stark reminder of the car’s on-screen rough-and-tumble persona, one original General Lee, which had been sold into private hands, was unfortunately totaled in a single-vehicle accident in Missouri in 2023. Even John Schneider’s personal General Lee replica hasn’t escaped misfortune. In 2021, it was damaged when a tree fell on it, and in 2024, Schneider reported the vehicle stolen on social media, adding another chapter to the General Lee’s eventful story.
Beyond accidents and thefts, the General Lee has also faced scrutiny for the Confederate flag displayed on its roof. In recent years, this symbol has become increasingly controversial, seen by many as representing racism and a painful period in American history. In 2015, reflecting this changing social landscape, Warner Bros. made the decision to cease licensing replicas of the General Lee with the Confederate flag design. Shortly after, TV Land followed suit by removing The Dukes of Hazzard reruns from its schedule, a move widely interpreted as being directly linked to the presence of the Confederate flag on the iconic car. Despite the controversies, the General Lee remains an unforgettable symbol of 1980s television and automotive excitement, prompting ongoing discussions about its place in popular culture.
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