How Many Cars Were Used in Dukes of Hazzard? The General Lee Facts
The Dukes of Hazzard used over 320 cars during its six-season run from 1979 to 1985 — all 1969 Dodge Chargers painted Hemi Orange and nicknamed the General Lee. Star John Schneider estimated the total at 329, based on roughly two cars destroyed per episode across 147 episodes, leaving only 17 original General Lee cars surviving today.
The stunts were unforgiving. Each jump bent the frame and crumpled the suspension of a 3,100-pound car landing at speed, making most vehicles unrepairable after a single use. Producers sourced Chargers from junkyards and dealers across the South for $2,000–$3,000 each.
In this article, you’ll find the exact number of cars used, how many General Lee survivors exist today, the full spec breakdown, and what original cars sell for at auction.
What Car Was the General Lee?
The General Lee is a 1969 Dodge Charger — specifically the Charger R/T (Road and Track) model. Every car on the show was painted Hemi Orange (FM3), numbered “01” on both doors, and fitted with a Confederate flag on the roof. The car became one of the most recognizable vehicles in TV history.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Make / Model | 1969 Dodge Charger (Charger R/T) |
| Color | Hemi Orange (FM3) |
| Engine — close-up cars | 383 cubic-inch V8 |
| Engine — stunt cars | 318 cubic-inch V8 |
| Top engine option | 440 cubic-inch V8, 375 hp |
| Transmission | 727 TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic |
| Wheels | 15-inch American Racing “Vector” |
| Doors | Welded shut — drivers enter via windows |
| Horn | Dixie horn (first 12 notes of “Dixie”) |
| Safety | Roll cage installed for stunt work |
Cars used for close-up and dialogue scenes were kept as stock as possible. Stunt cars received added roll cages, reinforced suspension, and 1,000 lbs of ballast to stabilize landings. The “Ski Car” — used for two-wheel driving stunts — ran a lighter 318 V8 to reduce unsprung weight.
How Many Cars Were Used in Dukes of Hazzard?
The production used at least 320 Dodge Chargers, with 329 being the most widely cited figure. Bo Duke actor John Schneider arrived at that number by calculating two cars destroyed per episode across 147 episodes, then adding reserve vehicles. At peak production the crew sourced General Lees from across the South — paying $200–$500 for junkers and up to $3,000 for driveable donor cars.
Each car was painted Hemi Orange, numbered “01,” and fitted with the roof flag before filming. A single jump sequence could consume three or four cars in one shooting day — one for the approach, one for the launch, and additional cars for mid-air or landing coverage shots.
Why Were So Many Dukes of Hazzard Cars Destroyed?
Every General Lee jump launched a 3,100-pound vehicle — plus roughly 1,000 pounds of ballast — into the air at speed. When it landed, the suspension bottomed out, the frame twisted, and body panels buckled. Most cars were totaled on impact and unrepairable.
Stunt coordinator Gary Davis and his team shot multiple cars per stunt sequence. The approach run, the launch, the mid-air footage, and the landing were typically filmed with different vehicles. Add in high-speed chase scenes that frequently ended in crashes, and the production rate of roughly two cars per episode becomes easy to understand.
The Iconic General Lee
The General Lee became the breakout star of the show — arguably more famous than Bo or Luke Duke themselves. Its bright orange paint, “01” door graphics, Confederate roof flag, and signature Dixie horn made it instantly recognizable. The car could jump up to 200 feet, and the welded doors meant drivers had to climb through the windows — a visual quirk that became a defining character trait for the Duke boys.
Unlike later TV car shows like Counting Cars, which focus on careful restoration, Dukes of Hazzard treated its Chargers as fully expendable props. The roll cage installed in every stunt car protected the driver, not the vehicle — the car was expected to be destroyed.
How Many Original General Lee Cars Still Exist?
Only 17 original General Lee production vehicles are believed to survive today. Most were scrapped after filming — a bent frame was not worth repairing when replacement Chargers cost a few hundred dollars. Six General Lees were specifically built for Warner Bros. during the Georgia production phase, and their current whereabouts are not all publicly documented.
A General Lee “graveyard” was photographed at a Georgia junkyard, showing dozens of scrapped Chargers with original orange paint and “01” still visible beneath the rust. Like the Bonnie and Clyde death car, surviving Dukes of Hazzard cars carry extraordinary cultural value precisely because so few remain.
What Is an Original General Lee Worth Today?
Prices vary enormously depending on whether the car is a genuine production vehicle or a replica. In 2009, an original stunt General Lee with a 383 V8 sold at Bonhams for $52,000 including buyer’s premium. The same car changed hands again in 2017 for $36,000 at RM Sotheby’s — a drop that reflected growing controversy over the Confederate flag on the roof.
A 2007 eBay auction closed at $9,900,500, though questions about fake bidding were raised and the sale was not completed. For most collectors, genuine screen-used General Lees are estimated at $120,000–$185,000 at current auction. High-quality replicas built on real 1969 Charger shells sell in the $75,000–$139,000 range.
Best General Lee Die-Cast Pick
New Ray 1/25 Scale General Lee — 1969 Dodge Charger
Highly detailed 1:25 scale die-cast with opening hood and accurate Hemi Orange paint — the largest and most display-worthy General Lee collectible widely available.
- Best for: Desktop display and serious General Lee collectors
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- Main drawback: No interior detail at this price point
Compare more General Lee die-cast options
Option 1
Auto World 1:43 General Lee Resin Model
- Best for: Collectors wanting a limited-edition display piece
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- Main drawback: Smaller 1:43 scale, resin (not die-cast metal)
Option 2
Pioneer P131 General Lee Slot Car 1:32
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- Main drawback: Requires a slot track to use as intended
Option 3
Norev 1:43 General Lee Dodge Charger
- Best for: Budget-friendly 1:43 die-cast for casual fans
- Why we picked it: Authentic Norev die-cast quality at an accessible price
- Main drawback: No opening panels, basic detail level
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Other famous screen vehicles have inspired equally dedicated collector communities — our guide to what car Jackson Storm is based on in Cars 3 covers another iconic fictional racer and the real-world cars that inspired his design.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cars were used in Dukes of Hazzard?
Over 320 cars were used — most sources cite 329 as the best estimate. All were 1969 Dodge Chargers. The show averaged two cars destroyed per episode across 147 episodes, primarily due to the high-impact stunt jumps that totaled most vehicles on landing.
What kind of car was the General Lee?
The General Lee was a 1969 Dodge Charger R/T painted Hemi Orange (color code FM3). Close-up cars used a 383 cubic-inch V8; stunt cars ran a lighter 318 V8. All were fitted with the 727 TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission and 15-inch American Racing Vector wheels.
Why were the doors welded shut on the General Lee?
The doors were welded shut primarily for structural rigidity — welding the door shut stiffens the B-pillar area and reduces flex during high-speed cornering and impacts. It also became a signature visual gimmick: Bo and Luke Duke climbing through the windows became one of the show’s most iconic recurring moments.
How many original General Lee cars still exist?
Only 17 original General Lee production vehicles are believed to survive. Most were scrapped after filming ended, as the bent frames and crumpled suspension from stunt jumps made repairs uneconomical. Several are in private collections; at least one was destroyed in Hurricane Ida in 2021.
What is an original General Lee worth today?
Verified screen-used General Lees are estimated at $120,000–$185,000 at current auction. A stunt car sold at Bonhams in 2009 for $52,000; the same car sold again in 2017 for $36,000. High-quality replicas on real 1969 Charger bodies sell for $75,000–$139,000 depending on build quality and documentation.
Conclusion
The Dukes of Hazzard consumed over 320 Dodge Chargers across six seasons — an extraordinary production cost driven entirely by the show’s commitment to real, uncompromising stunt work. Only 17 of those original General Lees survive today, making them among the most culturally significant and rare TV vehicles ever built. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering the show, the General Lee remains one of the most compelling stories in American automotive history.
