Does anyone know who modified the Dukes movie General Lee?

[Lifsgrt]

Gents, the car used in the drifting scenes seemed to handle exceptionally well.  Do any of you know who made the modifications or what modifications were made? I believe I can see a Cal Tracs installed on the rear suspension, and the steering ratio seems rather quick as well.  Thanks

[Mike DC]

No Cal-tracs.

The whole thing was done up like a drifter car. 
I'm pulling this off the top of my head so something might need correcting later, but here goes:


--  383 car with a factory 4spd tranny 

--  4:10 rearend, spider gears welded solid

--  aftermarket sway bars at both ends

--  2:1 ratio steering quickener gear

--  hydraulic handbrake lever for the rear brakes (works sorta like a stock E-brake that won't ratchet itself into place when pushed)

--  the whole car was pretty rollcaged, like they all were for the movie



This car was one of two GLs for the movie that served as primary "good handling" chase cars.  There was this one, and another GL that was basically the same except for an automatic tranny. 

This one was the only stick-shifted GL in the 2005 movie, and one of a very short list of stick-shifted GLs ever. 

[69charger2002]

just as a note they did have a black 70 383 4 speed N code charger at first. that and a beautiful turquoise 69 charger. the first guy put in charge of buying chargers for the movie.. spent almost $50k on these first 2 really nice cars, and since they were going to be hacked and thousands more dumped into them, he got fired and they started buying hlpag cars and projects after that. but there was one other 4 speed car, but they could have made it an automatic for the movie. weren't but a couple with a 70 VIN though, and i sold them one, so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out which # it is
i am just not into dukes like i used to be and don't care as much about trivial facts anymore, or i'd look it up
trav

[hutch]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DrJ4cVF9lYg

was this part of the movie?  this is nutts.

[justin1987]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DrJ4cVF9lYg

was this part of the movie?  this is nutts.

Yes. That video is Rhys Millen either practicing the drift or it was during the filming. I can't remember.

[Mike DC]

 
Yeah, that's Rhys Millen in the 383 4spd car.   

They did that shot a bunch of times that day.  There were some takes where he went a lot more than one complete circle before letting off.  I don't think he ever once hit another car or really lost it during the whole time either.   


The final-cut movie footage was pieced together from it all.

   

[myk]

That is so freaking awesome.  I bought that crap movie just for the crazy driving...

[Ghoste]

You and me both brother.  Well, that and Jessica Simpson's car wash video at the end.