The Dukes of Hazzard premiered on CBS in 1979, the story of a farm family in rural Hazzard County, Georgia. While the opening credits said the stars were John Schneider and Tom Wopat as the titular cousins, Bo and Luke Duke, many fans would say that Duke Boysâ car, a 1969 Dodge Charger named âThe General Lee,â was the real star of the show.
According to the showâs storyline, Bo and Luke built the General Lee to be a race car. The doors were welded shut and a roll cage was installed, making it necessary to climb into the car through the window. This would become a trademark of the show, along with the carâs signature âDixieâ horn and ability to jump incredible distances
While the General Lee may have been a one-of-a-kind vehicle, more than one 1969 Dodge Charger was used to portray it on screen. In fact, most estimates say around 300 Chargers were used in the seven seasons the show aired. Cars rarely survived one of the showâs signature jumps, as many pounds of cement were added to the trunk to help with the landing.
The General Lee was known as the fastest car in Hazzard County. Powered by a 375-horsepower engine that could go from 0 to 60 MPH in just 5.4 seconds, the Duke Boys could easily catch the bad guys before Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane could even catch up with them. Throughout 147 episodes, the General Lee helped rescue lost kids, stop bank robberies, save Boss Hoggâs life, and entertain a generation of fans. By the time the series ended, 17 General Lees had survived, with the original now owned by golfer Bubba Watson, who purchased it for $110,000.
The Spirit Lives On In Todayâs Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger was reimagined in 2006, returning to its muscle car roots. The latest and seventh generation of design features four doors and an available 707-horsepower Supercharged 6.2L HEMI® SRT Hellcat V8 Engine. Whether youâre tearing down a country lane in rural Georgia or driving around the suburbs of Mendota, IL, your 2017 Dodge Charger is sure to be the center of attention.
Visit Prescott Brothers CDJR of Mendota today and take a test drive in a new 2017 Dodge Charger. But please use the door, donât climb in through the window.
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