The Dukes of Hazzard Car
If you’ve ever watched the Dukes of Hazzard, you probably know the General Lee, the iconic 1969 Dodge Charger driven by cousins Luke and Bo (John Schneider and Tom Wopat). It’s a great example of a famous movie vehicle that audiences have come to love and associate with a character. The General Lee became a cultural icon when it was purchased by the Dukes in the 1970s.
General Lee
Fans of General Lee and the Dukes of Hazzard may have already noticed the car’s Confederate flag decal on its roof, but not everyone knows it has a darker history. The car in the show’s commercial was based on the General Lee’s car, which was owned by bootlegger Jerry Rushing. The name General Lee was a riff on Lee’s horse, and the production team bought the horn from the driver.
During filming, the General Lee car underwent many modifications. It was not a regular Dodge Charger, but rather a customized version designed by prop masters to be able to do amazing stunts. The car was equipped with heavy-duty suspensions and a powerful Magnum V8 engine. It had a full roll cage, and was capable of 180-degree turns. The car was also fitted with steel cages and roll bars to prevent accidents.
Bo
If you haven’t seen the first season of Bo Dukes of Hazzard, you might be wondering what kind of car Bo drives. The story behind the car comes from a real man who actually owned one. Jerry Elijah Rushing was a moonshine runner who lived in North Carolina. He was only 12 years old when he started making moonshine, but he quickly gained a reputation as a skilled moonrunner. The Dukes of Hazzard car was a 1958 Chrysler 300D, which was powered by a powerful 392 cubic inch Hemi V8 engine. This car could reach speeds of up to 140 mph.
The main plot revolves around Bo and his friend Luke Duke. The duo are good ol’ boys who have been in trouble with the law ever since they were born, but they’ve always made it work. They’re not afraid to do anything that they don’t have to and they fight the system like modern day Robin Hood. But there’s a catch. The Dukes are on probation for illegally transporting moonshine and have to stay within the boundaries of Hazzard County.
Luke
The famous “hood slide” of Luke Dukes of Hazardd Car originated during an episode of the show called Daisy’s Song. The actor was trying to vault over the car hood when his foot accidentally caught the edge. His leg then slid across the hood. This slide became a trademark of the character, causing some finger injuries to Tom Wopat and removing the hood radio aerial. Nevertheless, it was a very fun and exciting moment.
The car that played an important role in the show was the “General Lee.” It was a neon orange Charger with a Confederate flag on the roof. It was the main attraction of the show and was driven by Bo and Luke Dukes, two cousins who evaded corrupt politicians in Hazzard County. While the General Lee is now a symbol of the show, it did not appear in the first seasons.
Dixie
The Dixie Dukes of Hazzard car was first introduced in the “Arrest Jesse” episode of the series, and it was a 1980 Jeep CJ-7 Golden Eagle. The car originally had no doors and was painted white. Daisy later acquired a replacement vehicle with the name “Dixie” painted on the doors and hood. While the Dukes’ other vehicle General Lee remains a popular choice for the character, the general’s new car changes its design and colors from episode to episode.
The Dixie Dukes of Hazzard car had many features that make it unique. It was modified to look like the General Lee in the 1980s show. The General Lee had a Confederate flag on the roof and a horn that played the first 12 notes of the song “Dixie.” This car was used to escape from corrupt county commissioner Bo Hogg. While he may not have been on the show at the time, he still had the car’s paint scheme and horn sound.
