The Daily Herald is reporting that the Volo Auto Museum’s director, Brian Grams, has been trying to contact Bubba Watson to make an offer on LEE1. Watson has stated he will paint over the confederate flag on the roof with an American flag. The museum, which already owns General Lee #8, has no interest in political debate over the flag, but does have a keen interest in preserving the car, flag and all, as a piece of television history. If successful in their bid to obtain LEE1, the museum plans to display it along side Lee #8, with a description of the significance of the two cars. Let’s hope they’re successful in their plans!
Bubba Watson
Bubba Watson To Paint An American Flag on His General Lee
Bubba Watson has announced on Twitter that he’ll be painting over the confederate flag on the roof of the General Lee with an American flag. Watson purchased LEE1 in 2012 for $110,000. He didn’t seem to have a problem with the flag back then.
The reaction from fans has been swift and mostly negative, with many remarking that it just isn’t the General Lee without the confederate flag and that he isn’t worthy to own the car if he doesn’t preserve it as the piece of television history that it is. Several also mentioned they would gladly take the General Lee off his hands as-is.
Pro Golfer Buys Historic General Lee at Auction
Word is getting around that Gerry “Bubba” Watson was the winning bidder for “LEE 1”, the first screen-jumped General Lee. The storied General was auctioned off Saturday, January 21 at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, AZ. Watson won the bidding at $110,000, with his total cost ending up at $121,000 after buyer’s commission.
Watson is a powerful left-handed pro golfer who can hit a ball over 350 yards, at a speed of 194 miles per hour. Yes, Watson can drive! On the golf course. We’re looking forward to seeing how he does on the street with his General Lee!
Is Watson a Dukes of Hazzard fan? That’s a big 10-4! Here’s what he had to say in his tweet on Saturday: “Just got my dream car!”
Congratulations, Bubba Watson! The General is going to a good home.
Historic General Lee Sells For $121,000
Expectations for “LEE 1” were high at Barrett-Jackson as the famous 1969 Dodge Charger went up for auction. After weeks of hype, the first screen-jumped General Lee was expected to bring in as much as 1 million dollars in bidding.
But the price leap fell short, landing far shy of the expected sum. It went for a mere $110,000, plus buyer’s commission, for a total sale of $121,000. Details about the purchaser are not yet available.
The lower sales price doesn’t reflect anything negative on The Dukes of Hazzard, or on the General Lee itself. LEE 1 stands apart from other screen-used General Lees, for better or worse, due to the extensive time spent in abandonment and derelict condition upon discovery. The percentage of the car that can be claimed as “original” is up for debate. Ironically, LEE 1 may have been worth just as much today without any restoration efforts at all.
The saga of LEE 1 is far from over. While we await further details about the new owner, we sincerely hope that this historic General Lee has gained a home with a true Dukes fan, rather than an investor seeking a quick turnaround in a year or two. LEE 1, after all it has been through, deserves better.
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