If you’ve ever wondered what car was the Dukes of Hzzard, you’re not alone. The iconic vehicle from *The Dukes of Hazzard* was a bright orange 1969 Dodge Charger famously known as the General Lee. This car, with its Confederate flag roof and incredible jumps, became a character in its own right, defining the show for millions of fans.
Its image is burned into pop culture history. But there’s much more to this vehicle than its eye-catching paint job and rebel yell. From its specific model details to the story of how it was chosen, the General Lee’s tale is as fascinating as the adventures of Bo and Luke Duke themselves.
This article will give you the complete story. We’ll cover the car’s specifications, its on-screen history, and what happened to the many Chargers used during filming. You’ll learn why this particular car was selected and how it performed those amazing stunts.
What Car Was The Dukes Of Hazzard
The simple answer is a 1969 Dodge Charger. But that’s just the starting point. The car used for the iconic General Lee was a very specific version of the 1969 Charger, chosen for both its looks and its performance capabilities.
Producers needed a car that could look great on camera and handle the demanding stunts the script called for. The 1969 Charger, with its aggressive fastback design and powerful engine options, fit the bill perfectly. It had a menacing, muscular stance that communicated speed and rebellion even when standing still.
Here are the key specifications that defined the on-screen General Lee:
- Make & Model: 1969 Dodge Charger
- Engine: Most were equipped with a 440 cubic inch Magnum V8, though some sources note 383 Magnums were also used.
- Transmission: Automatic transmission (TorqueFlite) for consistency in stunt driving.
- Color: “General Lee” orange, a custom, vibrant shade.
- Distinguishing Features: Painted Confederate Battle Flag on the roof, “01” on the doors, welded-shut doors, and a modified Dixie horn that played the first 12 notes of “Dixie.”
The Specifics Of The 1969 Dodge Charger
Understanding why this car was chosen means looking at its base model. The 1969 Dodge Charger was part of the second generation of Chargers, produced from 1968 to 1970. This era is often considered the peak of the model’s design.
Its long hood, short deck, and sweeping fastback roofline gave it a distinctive silhouette. The hidden headlight grille and wide rear end added to its aggressive look. Under the hood, it could be optioned with a range of powerful V8 engines, making it a true muscle car.
For the show, the cars were modified. The doors were welded shut to increase body rigidity for jumps, forcing the actors to climb in and out through the windows—a move that became a signature of the show. The interiors were often stripped down to the basics to save weight and cost, and roll cages were installed for safety during stunts.
Why Not A 1970 Charger
A common point of confusion is the year. The show aired from 1979 to 1985, yet used a 1969 model. Sometimes, 1970 Chargers were used for parts or in specific shots, but the definitive General Lee is a 1969.
The 1970 Charger has a slightly different grille and taillight design. The 1969’s cleaner lines and simpler grille were preferred by the show’s producers and car builders. The 1969 model was also more readily available and affordable at the time the show began production, as it was a decade old.
The Name And The Look
The car wasn’t just a Charger; it was the “General Lee.” The name was a reference to Confederate General Robert E. Lee. This naming, along with the Confederate flag painted on its roof and the Dixie horn, rooted the car firmly in its Southern, rebel-themed identity.
The iconic paint scheme was crucial. The bright orange ensured the car was highly visible during chase scenes and jumps. The black painted trim, the “01” on the doors, and the flag created a simple, bold, and instantly recognizable graphic look that worked perfectly on television screens of the era.
The History And Selection Of The General Lee
The choice of the car wasn’t immediate. The show’s creator, Gy Waldron, initially envisioned the Duke boys driving a 1970 Dodge Challenger. However, the production team, including transportation coordinator Russ McCaleb, knew they needed a different vehicle.
The story goes that McCaleb saw a 1969 Charger sitting in a used car lot. He was struck by its long hood and fastback profile, thinking it would look fantastic performing jumps. The car’s shape also provided a larger, more stable platform for the dangerous stunts that were planned.
Here is a brief timeline of how the General Lee came to be:
- Initial Concept: Script called for a “1980s hot rod.” Early ideas included a modified 1970 Dodge Challenger.
- The Discovery: Russ McCaleb identifies the 1969 Charger as a better candidate for stunts due to its size and strength.
- The Prototype: The first General Lee is built by Warner Bros. transportation department. Its orange paint and flag were inspired by NASCAR’s bright, identifiable paint schemes.
- Testing: Stunt drivers confirmed the Charger could handle the jumps and rough driving required.
- Fleet Acquisition: Due to the high destruction rate, the production began sourcing hundreds of used 1969 and 1970 Chargers to build into General Lees.
Modifications For Stunt Work
Transforming a stock Charger into a General Lee required significant work. These weren’t just cosmetic changes; they were necessary for performance and driver safety.
The most famous modification was welding the doors shut. This strengthened the car’s body frame to withstand the impact of landing from jumps. It also forced the Dukes to use the windows, creating a memorable character quirk. Other key modifications included:
- Installation of heavy-duty shock absorbers and reinforced suspension components.
- Adding a full roll cage inside the cabin.
- Replacing stock seats with racing-style bucket seats and multi-point harnesses for stunt drivers.
- Upgrading the engine cooling system to prevent overheating during long chase scenes.
- Fitting special tires that could handle dirt roads and jumps.
The Stunt Legacy And Destruction Of Cars
One of the most astonishing facts about the show is the number of cars destroyed. *The Dukes of Hazzard* was famous for its car jumps, crashes, and high-speed chases. Each episode typically featured at least one major stunt involving the General Lee.
Because of this, the production needed a constant supply of vehicles. It’s estimated that over 300 Dodge Chargers were used and destroyed throughout the show’s seven-season run. They would buy used Chargers from junkyards, classified ads, and anywhere they could find them, then transform them into General Lees.
The process for a typical jump stunt was methodical:
- A ramp was constructed at the jump site, often hidden by a rise in the road so it wasn’t visible to the camera.
- The stunt car was specially prepared with the exact fuel load and adjustments for the specific jump distance.
- A professional stunt driver, like the legendary Jack Gill, would perform the jump.
- The landing almost always caused significant damage to the car’s front end, suspension, and frame, rendering it unusable for another major stunt.
Most Memorable General Lee Jumps
Some jumps became legendary. The most famous is likely the jump over Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane’s patrol car, a stunt repeated in various forms. Another iconic moment was the 156-foot jump over a ravine in the episode “One Armed Bandits,” which set a record for a car jump on television at the time.
These stunts were real. There was no CGI in the 1980s. The danger was real for the drivers, and the destruction of the cars was real. This commitment to practical effects is a big reason the show’s action sequences still feel exciting today.
The General Lee After The Show
With hundreds of cars used, only a handful of authentic screen-used General Lee Chargers are known to survive today. Many were simply scrapped after being damaged. Others were sold off in pieces.
A few have surfaced in private collections and museums. These surviving cars are highly valuable, often selling at auction for hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, verifying a true screen-used car is difficult due to the sheer number of vehicles and the fact that many were pieced together from parts.
Cultural Impact And Controversy
The General Lee is one of the most recognizable television cars in history. It influenced a generation of car enthusiasts and cemented the 1969 Dodge Charger’s place in pop culture. Toy replicas, model kits, and video game appearances have kept the car in the public eye for decades.
However, its imagery has also become controversial. The Confederate flag on its roof, a central part of its identity on the show, is now widely viewed as a symbol of oppression and racism. In recent years, this has led to toy versions being altered or discontinued, and the car’s appearance in media has become less frequent.
This controversy has sparked debates about separating the character of the car from its historical symbolism. For many fans, the General Lee represents rebellion and fun from a TV show. For others, its symbols are inseparable from a painful history.
How To Identify A Real General Lee Replica
Given its popularity, many enthusiasts build their own General Lee replicas. If you’re looking at one, here’s how to distinguish a careful replica from a casual imitation.
A high-quality replica pays attention to the specific details used during the show’s filming. Since the show itself used cars with minor variations, there is some flexibility, but key markers remain.
- Correct Year: It should be based on a 1969 (or sometimes 1970) Dodge Charger body.
- Paint Color: The orange should be the correct, vibrant “General Lee” shade, not a standard orange.
- Flag Detail: The Confederate flag on the roof should be painted, not a decal, and match the specific pattern used on the show.
- Door Handles: The door handles should be removed and the doors welded or bolted shut.
- Correct Wheels: It should have the correct styled steel wheels with chrome lug nuts and hubcaps, not modern alloy wheels.
- Interior: A proper replica often has a roll cage and may have a simplified interior, consistent with the stunt cars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Kind Of Car Was The General Lee
The General Lee was a modified 1969 Dodge Charger. It was a two-door muscle car with a powerful V8 engine, custom painted orange with a Confederate flag on the roof.
How Many General Lee Cars Were Destroyed
Over 300 Dodge Chargers were used and destroyed during the production of *The Dukes of Hazzard*. Stunt jumps and crashes typically rendered each car unusable after a few major stunts.
Why Did They Use A 1969 Dodge Charger
The 1969 Charger was chosen for its strong frame, which could withstand jumps, and its iconic fastback design. It was also readily available and affordable as a used car when the show began filming in the late 1970s.
Can You Buy A General Lee Today
You can buy replica General Lees built by enthusiasts. Authentic screen-used cars are extremely rare and valuable, sometimes selling at auction for over $200,000. Most available are faithful recreations.
What Was The General Lee’s Horn
The General Lee’s horn played the first 12 notes of the song “Dixie.” It was a custom air horn system, and its sound became a signature cue on the show alongside the car’s appearance.