<P> As the WB era rolled on, finding the cars became difficult: Piper Cubs were hired to perform aerial searches for 1968, 1969, and 1970 Chargers amongst the populace; the jumped cars were now no longer scrapped after one jump if deemed salvageable, and were repaired and used until they could no longer function; and, as last resort, miniature radio - controlled models were also brought in toward the end of the series to replace most of the big jump stunts, thereby saving more cars--something that proved unpopular with many episode directors (including Tom Wopat) who felt that the models did not look realistic . By this time, there was also a rivalry for "TV's greatest car" with the Knight Rider series, leading to the models being used more and more for greater jumps to try to out - do that series . Taking full control also saved some money, as now WB had the ability to buy cars, recondition them, and use them without paying daily rental fees . </P> <P> At the beginning of the movie, the General was a faded orange with a hand - painted "01" on the doors, black steel wheels, standard front bumper, and no Confederate Naval Flag . Midway through the film, Cooter repairs the General after it is vandalized by Boss Hogg's hirelings . He repaints it a bright Hemi orange and adds the well - known trademarks (American Racing "Vector" 10 - spoke "turbine" wheels, octagonal "01", black grille guard, Confederate flag on the roof, "Dixie" horn, and "General Lee" above the door window openings). </P> <P> The movie General not only flies and makes controlled landings, but also drifts with the aid of professional drifter Rhys Millen . During jump scenes, some stunt cars were propelled under their own power by stunt drivers; others had their engines and transmissions removed . The engineless Chargers were then launched without drivers by a gas - driven catapult similar in principle to those used on aircraft carriers . Approximately 24 1968 to 1970 Chargers were used in the film . </P> <P> Unlike the television show era Lees, the movie cars used aftermarket graphic kits . The movie gave them new credibility and is no longer considered to be an inaccurate choice . Otherwise, except for the white letters on the Goodrich "Radial T / A" tires, the exterior of the movie's "close - up" General Lees varied little from the television show cars . The paint was "Hemi Orange" (an American Motors Corporation color) rather than Corvette "Flame Red"; the interior headliner was black instead of tan, an actual roll cage was used; a three - spoke Grant wood - trimmed steering wheel replaced the standard wheel, an AM / FM stereo radio with Compact Disc player was installed in the dashboard; and the interiors were a custom color vinyl fabric made to look like the dye / paint used in the later eras of the TV show . One still can differentiate the 1968 Chargers by looking at the dash pad, but now 1970 Chargers were thrown in the mix . The cars somewhat resembled a late 1990s to early 2000s (decade) General Lee clone, but the overall flavor of the General Lee is still obvious . On all of the cars, the back - up lights and side marker lenses were removed, the openings filled in . </P>

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