Rare 1969 Dodge Charger General Lee, the only one to jump off-screen, set for auction.
What’s a General Lee? To car enthusiasts, it’s not just a defeated commander of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, but rather a 1969 Dodge Charger that became a television legend. The "General Lee," famously driven by the Duke boys in "The Dukes of Hazzard," remains an iconic symbol of American muscle cars. While over 300 Chargers were wrecked during the show's filming, only seventeen screen cars are accounted for today. However, these weren’t the only General Lees ever made.
Recognizing the Charger's immense promotional potential, Warner Bros. had five special units built specifically for promotional purposes. These cars, modified by General Lee Enterprises (GLE), were all genuine Dodge Charger R/Ts with 440 engines, designed to mirror the show’s famous vehicle.
Warner Bros. tasked GLE with creating these five General Lees for fairs and events across the US in the early 80s. Today, only four of these promotional cars remain, and one of them has a particularly fascinating story.
After their promotional use, two of these GLE-modified cars were stored in a Kentucky barn for nearly two decades until 2003. ‘General Lee’ enthusiast Travis Bell tracked them down and documented their retrieval. Despite needing some restoration work, the cars were complete and found new buyers. One ended up with a speed shop owner in Flint, Michigan, who had big plans for the car.
On April 29, 2006, the “Jumpin’ the General” event marked the grand opening of the Hardcore Racing speed shop. A professional stunt driver was hired to perform a real jump, reminiscent of the TV series. The car, which was put up for sale on eBay, promised to be sold in whatever condition it survived post-jump. The event drew a large crowd, and the General Lee successfully jumped over six cars, the only authentic General Lee to make such a jump off-screen. Despite sustaining significant damage, it wasn’t a total loss.
The stunt triggered mixed reactions from fans, with some seeing it as a sacrilegious act. Nonetheless, the General Lee was bought by an enthusiast from Illinois, who had supplied cars for the 2005 ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ movie. This new owner undertook a comprehensive restoration, including new front guards, a K-frame, radiator support, and rust repairs. A fresh coat of iconic orange paint, complete with the ‘01’ graphics, Confederate flag, and ‘General Lee’ script, was applied. The car was restored to its prime condition with original and replacement chrome and trim elements.
Inside, the promo cars differ from the TV series depiction, featuring black vinyl upholstery instead of tan. A padded roll bar and a CB radio are installed, and the steering wheel button plays the first 12 notes of "Dixie." Under the hood, the numbers-matching 440 cubic inch Magnum big-block engine was rebuilt after the 2006 crash. It pairs with a factory-equipped four-speed manual transmission linked to a Dana rear axle.
This particular General Lee is the only real Warner Bros-licensed 1969 Dodge Charger R/T to perform a ‘Dukes of Hazzard’-style jump off-screen, making it a highly valuable collector's item. Its originality, history, and significance elevate its status among Mopar fans.
This rare General Lee will be auctioned online from August 9-19. It can be viewed by appointment at 2 Palings Court, Nerang, on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, about 42 miles south of Brisbane. For muscle car enthusiasts, this is an opportunity to own a piece of television and automotive history.
