Help for a feature on the General Lee by Classic Cars magazi

[Graeme Hurst]

Hi there,

I'm a writer for Classic Cars magazine in England and I'm looking for information on the General Lee. We're doing a feature on the General (in anticipation of the movie) and I'd like to get in touch with anyone that can give us more information on:

-The specs of the original General Lee.

-Which were the best/most famous scenes in the General.

-Who prepared the cars.

-What was done to them.

-Who owns the original General today.

-Any other cool/interesting facts about the General Lee.

We have a replica of the General over here in England that we 've used for the photography.

Please email me (graeme.hurst@emap.com) if you can help.

Thanks,

Graeme

[alexrules43]

I'll do my best:

1. 440 cid/383 cid engined 1969 Dodge Charger R/T, 117 inch wheelbase

2. Most famous scene was the one at the end of all but Coy & Vance episodes, episode One Armed Bandits, Season 1, Episode 1, where the General jumped over Rosco.

3. Warner Bros. is all I know. I know they poured concrete in the trunks to get it to jump.

4. Some were crushed (the ones in Georgia) and some in California were sold off.

5. There were more than 300 Generals, but the "original" (LEE 1) was repainted and beat up for Episode 4, Repo Men, then left to rot in a junkyard as #71. Travis Bell and Gary Schneider found it in a boneyard in Georgia and it is beyond restoration. They take it to car shows the way they found it.

[DaneyDuke]

Not bad Alex =) except Travis Bell and Gary Schneider haven't owned Lee #1 for at least a year.

Graeme,

You might want to check out, Confederate General Lee Fan Club http://www.cglfc.com/main_frame_cglfc.html .

Daney

[alexrules43]

Thanks Daney. I guess 2 year old Mopar Muscle magazines aren't as reliable I thought they were.

[1hellraiser]

t-7 tranny

tan interior

vector rims

engines: 318 - 440, (even though the engine, was homemade)

12 note dixie horn

roll cage/push bar

Hope this helps you out

[1hellraiser]

It is the most reconized car in television history.

John Schneider, (Bo Duke), owns the last general lee

anywhere, from 200 - 317 Dodge chargers were destroyed in the 7 year run. also, it is not just the 1969 model that was used, the warner bros. producers, used, 1968, and 1970 models, when the 1969 was not availble)

Also, here is some background on the show

it ran from 1979 - 1985

147 episodes

It was a "spin-off", of a little known movie, The Moonrunners

The show has a large cult following

There is a "Dukes fest" annually, where fans display their own General Lees, cast and crew, take the stage.

The stunt producer was paul baxley

Warner Bros. had their own "Body Shop", to build and paint the cars

The General Lee, holds the record holding jump

[DaneyDuke]

You're welcome, Alex. And it's not your fault the magazine never did a follow up or "where it is now" type article on Lee #1.

Hellraiser, good job on addin' more facts. =)

Daney

[Graeme Hurst]

Thanks for the info guys.

anyone know how I can contact Jon Scheneider or Travis?

thanks,

Graeme

[DaneyDuke]

You're welcome, Graeme. =)

Always glad to help out. Far as best scene, two that stand out are

season 3 opener (episode #37) Carnival Of Thrill's 32 vehicle jump.

season 3 (episode #43) Baa Baa, White Sheep - General crashes through a second story courthouse window.

Daney

[Dale The Bold]

Graeme, I sent you a private message with Travis Bell's contact info.

[01 GENERAL LEE 01]

http://209.43.123.28/71/71.html

General 1. And FYI, th' number o' OFFICIAL Generals never broke 300. People like to elevate th' number. An' outta alla th' ones used, 19 survived.

[Eddiemunster]

Cool pics. General #1 should be in a museum someday, IMHO.