Today, we have thee automobile related “Observations on the News”, all connected (somewhat) with a Dukes of Hazzard theme. So put on some Waylon Jennings, and read on…
- The Los Angeles Times is reporting how car-designer George Barris is in hot water for the cars he displays on his website and other media. Barris, famous for the Munster Coach and the Batmobile, is accused of implying his involvement with cars he never really designed. How does the General Lee play into this? At a recent ceremony commemorating Barris’ six-decade car-customizing career, the General was on display. The problem, of course, is that Barris didn’t design the General. Credits for “Dukes of Hazzard” list Ken Fritz, Tom Sarmento, Rich Sephton, A.J. Thrasher, Andre Veluzat and Renaud Veluzat as car builders. Barris is credited for “car modifications.” There were more egregious cases, such as the K.I.T.T. car, the Monkeymobile, or the “Back to the Future” DeLorian.
- So how much is a General Lee worth? The Ventura County Star (CNN) provides one answer: $9,900,000. That’s how much actor John Schneider’s General Lee sold for on eBay Motors. Quite a lot of money for a modified 1969 Dodge Charger.
Update 5/10/2007: Alas, it looks like that bid is a hoax.
- Of course, what was the General known for (other than the horn?). Jumping. More than 300 General Lees were said to have been jumped, crunched and crashed in the filming of the “Dukes” series. Luckily, after 55 days, you may not need a General Lee to transition the 580 overpass. The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the state is releasing a contract to repair and reopen the collapsed section of I-580 within 50 days. Nine construction companies have been given the weekend to prepare proposals to do the work, which Caltrans Director Will Kempton said should cost less than $20 million. The firms must repair the collapsed freeway by June 29 or face $200,000 a day in penalties from the state. But should they finish the work ahead of schedule, they’ll earn a $200,000-a-day bonus for each day they were ahead of the deadline. This worked well for rebuilding the I-10.
All together now… “yee-haw”!
