And for a GL whose life has ended...

[Ghoste]

We have this example.

[Ghoste]

And underneath it had this tow hook attached to the drag link.  Either to steer when being towed and/or to hook up the catapult prior to launch?

[dukeboy320]

 

[Charger440RDN]

A damn shame    

[69bronzeT5]

Where were those taken? That looks like Travis' old GL with the front sheetmetal removed. He was the owner of it sometime after it was used for the Dukes movie in '05 if I'm correct. I think it was for sale at Mecum?

[Ghoste]

They were taken in the warehouse at RM and it was used in the movie.  It's going to be auctioned off in Toronto in a few weeks (or that is the newest owners current plan anyway).

[ZSmithersCharges]

They were taken in the warehouse at RM and it was used in the movie.  It's going to be auctioned off in Toronto in a few weeks (or that is the newest owners current plan anyway).

How did the body look structurally/rust wise? Just to verify if it was "unrestorable" or not like they always say ALL of the jump cars are.

[TUFCAT]

Do you know what scene it was used for during the movie?

Just wondering (about the damage).

[Mike DC]

How did the body look structurally/rust wise?  Just to verify if it was "unrestorable" or not like they always say ALL of the jump cars are.

Nobody is claiming "always," just "usually."  I can tell you that several decent cars have been killed in the orange uniform during the last decade.  



It's not one single crew doing every GL jump in modern times.  

The old TV guys have done the live-driven jumps at Dukesfests.  But the 2005 movie production crew was a different group that cable-launched empty shells with no drivetrains.  The infamous 4spd/Dana car that was jumped in Michigan was done by the TV/Dukesfest crew, but that time they didn't get to choose the jump car.  And the recent couple of jumps at that Ohio 4x4 festival are the work of one guy who is unrelated to any of the other crews.  

[bull]

That almost looks like Jay Leno's garage.

[Ghoste]

Nope, definitely the warehouse at RM.  I took the pics myself.

[69bronzeT5]

Do you know what scene it was used for during the movie?

Just wondering (about the damage).

I'm assuming either the car in this video (judging by damage) or one of the cars used for the highway jump scene...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KhHQH3MX2M&feature=related

[Khyron]

wow, took till reply #12 for someone to say...


it'll buff out!

[ZSmithersCharges]

How did the body look structurally/rust wise?  Just to verify if it was "unrestorable" or not like they always say ALL of the jump cars are.

Nobody is claiming "always," just "usually."  I can tell you that several decent cars have been killed in the orange uniform during the last decade.  

I really don't care whose BEHIND the jumps I just don't want them to f'king happen.  Its just wasteful and downright stupid. My reference to "always" is just what the jump fans always say in their defense, the car is ALWAYS wasted to them... but they don't know a damn thing about the car to begin with or what qualifies it as such(which is almost nothing now adays with AMD).  What it really boils down to is that its fun to watch a car get crumpled.  Cool, do it to the new Chargers, unlimited supply and hey you'll even be stimulating the economy.  By destroying a classic your taking away from the hobby and everyone involved.  To them, the fans of this idiocy, its only 1 less Charger oh well but to us we know the difference.  If every hill billy show begins to destroy just 1 Charger the numbers add up, QUICK.  I mean have you tried looking for these things lately?  I had to go all the way to fricking Oregon for a clean-ISH 68, and they don't even destroy these things!  I can't imagine how hard its going to be to find a 69 in a couple of years.  The collectors are just sitting back laughing as the value of their car goes cha ching cha ching cha ching!...  

[69charger2002]

yeah that was my old car. the hook was for it to be cable-slung. it was used in the beginning scene(pre cooter) as it jumped over the pond,. and was also used as an interstate sling car. it did a third jump in the backlot at the transportation lot as well. i got the car after filming before they took all but 2 generals back to california. i sold the car a week after the movie came out..whoever sold that car at mecum for $15,400 a week or two ago lost their ass on the car. i got more than that for it in 05 before it was flipped AGAIN shortly after for $60k.
trav

[tan top]

  never good to see  .... even though the excuse has been for years , but they  was they are rotted out bondo buckets  , ..not the case any more most if not  all could be saved now with all the AMD stuff  

[Mike DC]

I really don't care whose BEHIND the jumps I just don't want them to f'ing happen.  It's just wasteful and downright stupid.  My reference to "always" is just what the fans always say in their defense, the car is ALWAYS wasted to them . . . but they don't know a damn thiing about the car to begin with or what qualifes it as such (which is almost nothing now days with AMD).

I've crawled underneath these cars, I've talked to the builders for literally hours on end, I've seen pics of the buildups and before, etc.  Have you?

By destroying a classic your taking away from the hobby and everyone involved.

Debatable.  You are counting the effect of the car lost at the time while ignoring the indirect effect on the hobby and the perception of Chargers/musclears in the culture.

To them, the fans of this idiocy, its only 1 less Charger oh well but to us we know the difference.

Um .  . . how many Dukes fans do you think are NOT trying to get themselves a decent Charger too?  

If every hilly billy show begins to destroy just 1 charger the numbers add up, QUICK.

I agree.  I think there have been too many live jumps already.  As do most of the diehard Dukes fans.

I mean have you tried looking for these things lately?  I had to go all the way to fricking Oregon for a clean-ISH 68, and they don't even destry these things!  I can't imagine how hard its going to be to find a 69 in a couple years.  THe collectors are just sitting back laughing as the value
of their cars goes cha ching cha ching cha ching!...

When people say they can't find a charger, I find that 9 times out of 10 it means they can't find one for half the going rate within a zip code of their house.  Dynacorn could be cranking out brand new shells on an assembly line and people would still be saying "I can't find a decent Charger for the life of me!"  If you go shopping with the going rate then you can find Chargers all day long.  Very nice ones.  

Grand total from 1978-present, Dukes has wrecked about 1/900th (literally) of all the Chargers produce from 1968-1970.

[TUFCAT]

I agree with you, except if Dynacorn made Charger body shells....every a-hole would have one. Just like Camaro's.

[ZSmithersCharges]

I really don't care whose BEHIND the jumps I just don't want them to f'ing happen.  It's just wasteful and downright stupid.  My reference to "always" is just what the fans always say in their defense, the car is ALWAYS wasted to them . . . but they don't know a damn thiing about the car to begin with or what qualifes it as such (which is almost nothing now days with AMD).

I've crawled underneath these cars, I've talked to the builders for literally hours on end, I've seen pics of the buildups and before, etc.  Have you?
You can't really tell me you've talked to EVERY jump technician in the country and crawled under every jump car can you?  I wasn't referring to the cars in the TV shows I was referring to the cars that are jumped at would be dukes shows that everyone "says" are wasted.  Everyone being the general public, not someone with your qualifications.  Back to the purpose of my response, there have been and will be more fixable cars that will be jumped and it just pisses me off every time.  Its not an attack on the promoters because they have no eye for potential and just want to make a quick buck, that's the business.  I just wish more people would look further into it than saying ah it was a rust bucket anyways and passing it off as common practice.  

By destroying a classic your taking away from the hobby and everyone involved.

Debatable.  You are counting the effect of the car lost at the time while ignoring the indirect effect on the hobby and the perception of Chargers/musclears in the culture.
Again, talking about the gatherings not the TV shows, which have obviously had a profound effect on our cars in many ways positive.  My point is people already know what a charger is without having to see 100 more of them jumped so clueless people can hoot and holler at the destruction of a classic at Uncle Ned's Fish-N-Chips Shack Show.

To them, the fans of this idiocy, its only 1 less Charger oh well but to us we know the difference.

Um .  . . how many Dukes fans do you think are NOT trying to get themselves a decent Charger too?  
Again, never said that the TV SHOW didn't help our hobby.  It's the after show that is killing it.

If every hilly billy show begins to destroy just 1 charger the numbers add up, QUICK.

I agree.  I think there have been too many live jumps already.  As do most of the diehard Dukes fans.
Good something we agree on.

I mean have you tried looking for these things lately?  I had to go all the way to fricking Oregon for a clean-ISH 68, and they don't even destroy these things!  I can't imagine how hard its going to be to find a 69 in a couple years.  The collectors are just sitting back laughing as the value
of their cars goes cha ching cha ching cha ching!...

When people say they can't find a charger, I find that 9 times out of 10 it means they can't find one for half the going rate within a zip code of their house.  If you go shopping with the going rate then you can find Chargers all day long.  Very nice ones.
I'll agree with you here as well, for most people.  But if you actually look in my area there are NOT project chargers at all. 69's that is as they are the car in question.

Grand total from 1978-present, Dukes has wrecked about 1/900th (literally) of all the Chargers produce from 1968-1970.
All together or in the shows?  Again no real way on keeping tabs on the full number.

Just to be clear,
I wasn't attacking you and I can tell by your response you like the Dukes TV shows on a personal level perhaps through experience you have had with the crew like you have stated, and I would never attempt to ridicule you for being passionate as it is something to behold.  I was more attacking the back alley shows that don't even draw that big of a crowd yet feel the need to destroy these cars anyways.  Not you.

[Mike DC]

I'm sorry if I sounded personal about it too.

I guess I've just had these Dukes debates so many times, both online and in person . . . I come into the conversation with a whole list of pre-polished responses already cocked & locked.  




If it sounds personal, I guess it's because being a rabid Dukes fan means you have to deal with it personally on a regular basis.  Lots of people love the car but some also don't.  Sometimes total strangers will gripe at you as if having a home-built GL means you literally wrecked all those cars yourself.  And TONS of people blame Dukes single-handedly for the fact that they can't buy a Charger for a 1976 price anymore. 
   

[69bronzeT5]

I agree with you, except if Dynacorn made Charger body shells....every a-hole would have one. Just like Camaro's.

Yep, that would suck. I'm tired going to car shows and seeing nothing but Camaros and Mustangs. They're nice cars but they are EVERYWHERE. I like having a Mopar because they aren't as common.

[ZSmithersCharges]

I'm sorry if I sounded personal about it too.

I guess I've just had these Dukes debates so many times, both online and in person . . . I come into the conversation with a whole list of pre-polished responses already cocked & locked. 



Being a Dukes fan means you can never really get away from people's opinions about the Chargers they wreck.  Even among non-car-enthusiasts it's practically the first thing people bring up about the show.  I think it even outnumbers the comments about the rebel flag or Daisy's shorts.

   

I guess its like being Janet Jackson, everywhere you go everyone wants to know about Micheal    Its fine we all get defensive over things from time to time(some more than others, myself included in those some), especially when its an issue that's been pushed so far that everyone in the world has their own opinion and "facts" on it whether they know anything about it or not.  I'm just glad there is someone like you behind the scenes actually looking at some of these cars and verifying what is what.  It's also a hard situation to call anyways because when the dukes shows were in their prime the cars were more abundant and people didn't make as many if any good repro parts for them so they were "wasted" at that time.  So no, I can honestly say I have nothing against the show. I have everything against the people who still say the cars are wasted for the same reasons that the show had to use years ago seemingly forgetting that 24 years have passed and that automotive technology has come a long ways.  

[JT01]

Ive been showing cars since 1989 and yes you see alot of camaros and mustangs I own a camaro a 71 SS most of the camaros you see at shows are 67-69s not many 70-77s it semms like there is always a 69 camaro around

[Khyron]

Ive been showing cars since 1989 and yes you see alot of camaros and mustangs I own a camaro a 71 SS most of the camaros you see at shows are 67-69s not many 70-77s it semms like there is always a 69 camaro around

they are like hemoroids, they just never quite go away completely

[Mike DC]

It's also a hard situation to call anyways because when the dukes shows were in their prime the cars were more abundant and people didn't make as many if any good repro parts for them so they were "wasted" at that time.

It's interesting that the Dukes TV crew in the early 1980s was already complaining about trying to find good intact 69 grilles.  That was partly responsible for why the GL's pushbar changed during season#4.  

And Daisy's yellow Roadrunner was killed mostly because they were trying to reduce the number of "old" cars on the show to constantly repair & replace.




The numbers aren't entirely clear but I pretty much guarantee there have not been more than 350 Chargers killed for Dukes TV/movies and live shows in the last 30 years.  Probably much less.  Statistically it's a pretty small loss, and it was also disproportionately 318 cars being killed.  

In comparison, there were supposedly 392 of the aero-window Charger 500s made in 1969.  Those things have been WAY disproportionately saved & restored over the years compared to a typical 318/auto Charger, and yet they have still never been a common car to come across while surfing through the Charger project cars in the classifieds.