How the General Lee Works

In 1979, an unlikely new series debuted on CBS. Part Western, part comedy, part hour-long car chase, "The Dukes of Hazzard" leapt (usually over a river) into the hearts of viewers nationwide. Not only did the show become a ratings winner, but it also spawned a feature film of the same name starring Seann William Scott, Johnny Knoxville, and Jessica Simpson.

Many fans tuned in to the TV show -- and turned out for the movie -- to see a different character, one that never earned a salary. The General Lee, the Dodge Charger driven by the Dukes, still has a loyal fan following. In this article, we'll find out what was under the General Lee's hood, how they found the car to use in the series, and how they kept it running after jumping it over a moving train. We'll also take a peek at the "Dukes of Hazzard" film.