I Was Thinking About…The Legendary General Lee Jump
By Andy Lee
In the fall of 1978, an iconic moment in television history unfolded on a college campus in Alabama. The crew for the upcoming show The Dukes of Hazzard was filming the opening credits sequence that would introduce America to an unforgettable orange muscle car called the General Lee.
On November 11th, 1978, at Oxford College, stuntmen and the Duke boys themselves gathered to capture that epic jump where the General Lee soars over a Hazzard County Sheriff’s patrol car. While the jump itself spans just a few exhilarating seconds, the car from that fateful shoot remains a pop culture legend over 40 years later.
As the cameras rolled, a 1969 Dodge Charger painted bright orange with a Confederate flag on top sped down a dirt road straight for a ramp. Hitting the ramp at nearly 90 mph, the General Lee sailed 16 feet in the air, flying majestically for over 80 feet before landing hard, totaling its suspension.
Of course, the General Lee was no ordinary Dodge Charger. For the demanding production, Warner Brothers had a fleet of Chargers ready for action. Picture cars fresh off the production line were sourced from local dealerships. These workhorses for exterior and stationary shots required no special modifications. Stunt cars with roll cages and heavy-duty shocks handled the big jumps and crashes.
The signature inset Confederate flag provoked controversy even in the 1970s but remained emblazoned on the roof throughout the show’s run. Under the hood, stunt cars housed massive 426 cubic inch V8 HEMI racing engines allowing the General Lee to whip through Hazzard County, always staying just ahead of the bumbling Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane.
That first Charger to play the General Lee was needed for every episode since it alone made that pivotal jump introducing each show. Through creative editing, the now-famous clip was inserted into the opening scene of nearly 150 shows between shots of the Duke boys loading up and racing away from the farm. Even decades later, the scene evokes exhilarating nostalgia.
The enduring appeal of that sequence stems not just from the gravity-defying jump itself, but what the General Lee represents. The car is more than just a sweet set of wheels – it symbolizes the spirit of adventure, youthful rebellion, and country ingenuity.
For Bo and Luke Duke, the General Lee is their steed charging into spirited mischief and mayhem every week. The boys know Rosco’s police cruiser doesn’t stand a chance against their souped-up race car. As the General Lee barrels down dirt roads, pops over rivers, and slides around corners, freedom, and pastoral escapism reign during a simpler time in the American South.
Beyond Hazzard County, the General Lee resonated with real-life gearheads and adrenaline junkies who saw themselves in the Duke boys’ boots. Country kids dreamed of taking their own hot rod over impossible ramps and outracing the hapless authorities. Even for viewers who would never attempt such reckless stunts, that soaring opening jump provided the thrill and release of living vicariously through a TV hero.
Now, the iconic General Lee lives on through diecast models, posters, and fan gatherings decades since the show’s end. The Dodge Chargers that originated the role attract collectors worldwide willing to pay premium prices. Though the TV series embodied southern country kitsch, the General Lee endures as a quintessential American muscle car we all long to let loose on an open road.
So, this week, 45 years after that fateful November day in Alabama, let’s remember the Dukes of Hazzard’s legacy transcending a lighthearted TV show. The General Lee sprang to life thanks to clever filmmakers, courageous stuntmen, and a generation longing for carefree adventure in a car that became immortal. For seven years, Bo and Luke’s wild rides showed us that sometimes raising a little hell can be a whole lot of fun.
For today, I was thinking about the General Lee, a cultural icon launched skyward from an Alabama field. Our most enduring legends often trace their roots back to the spark of a single moment where bold vision takes flight. Here’s to the cars, shows, and stories that shape our nostalgia and remind us how joy rides on the wings of imagination.
Stay curious, keep exploring! 😊
I was thinking about... 