What became of all the Chargers wrecked during the filming of Dukes of Hazzard?

Throughout the seven seasons, the General Lee soared through the air more than 150 times. While the car looked intact on screen, it rarely made it through a jump unscathed. On average, Warner Brothers wrecked two Chargers per episode. By the end of filming, around 300 Chargers had been used as the General Lee. So, what happened to all those cars?

Warner Brothers salvaged the most damaged vehicles. Mechanics kept the doors, rebel-flagged roofs, and engine parts, which were reused in future General Lees. The rest of the cars, now unrecognizable, were crushed in junkyards. It’s estimated that 75 to 220 Chargers were sent to the crusher in this manner.

Less severely damaged Chargers were repurposed as props, known as “bucks.” Mechanics would restore and repaint these battered vehicles, and they were used as town or pursuit cars. At the end of each season, these cars too would retire to a car graveyard.

When the Nielsen ratings for Dukes plummeted in 1986, CBS decided to cancel the show. Warner Brothers left 18 General Lees behind on set, where they sat untouched for five years. In 1991, WB sold 17 of those cars to private buyers.

BONUS! Fun Facts About the General Lee

· In 2001, two car enthusiasts discovered a General Lee in a Georgia junkyard. It turned out to be the original car from the first episode. After being restored, the car was sold for $110,000.

· The Dukes’ iconic car was initially going to be named “Traveller,” after General Lee’s horse. However, the producers feared that the reference might be too obscure for the audience.

· You can still purchase the famous “Dixie” horn from JC Whitney.

· The General Lee was a 1969 Dodge Charger, though some of the cars used in filming were actually modified 1968 models.

· To prevent the General Lee from flipping when launched into the air, its trunk was packed with either sand or concrete. Each stunt jump was carefully controlled.

· The car received an astonishing average of 35,000 fan letters every month.

DOUBLE BONUS! Curious to see all those Chargers in action?

http://youtu.be/h4W7E5BlLGM

Here are nearly all the incredible jumps from seasons one to six.