January 26, 1979 – “Dukes of Hazzard” premiers

“Ooooh, those Duke boys!” Cousins Bo and Luke Duke and the rest of Hazzard County crashed onto the small screen on this day in 1979 on American broadcast network CBS. “The Dukes of Hazzard” was an action comedy that brought cars into the starlight. Bo and Luke’s 1969 Dodge Charger, the “General Lee,” often stole the show while making their get-a-way from Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane. The Duke boys, on probation for distilling moonshine, aren’t allowed to leave Hazzard County, and often find themselves foiling the plots of corrupt county commissioner Boss Hogg. Aside from the “General Lee” the show featured Daisy’s 1974 Plymouth Road Runner in the first series before she found herself in “Dixie,: a white 1980 Jeep CJ-7. Uncle Jesse most often drove a 1973 – 1977 Ford F-100 while Boss Hogg commonly cruised in a 1970 Cadillac DeVille convertible. Side view of General Lee #8. It is the only first season, Georgia built car to retain its original paint and hand painted graphics. It was built using parts from previously wrecked General Lees, including the roll bar from #1.Dashboard view of #8. The car is located at the Volo Auto Museum just outside of Chicago.