'General Lee' is a good old buy

A 1969 Dodge Charger car named General Lee, that it's owner claims may have starred in hit 1970's television show The Dukes of Hazzard, is for sale in Whangarei.

Hundreds of bright orange Chargers decorated with the Confederate flag were used to film the action-heavy series, which featured "good old boys" Bo and Luke Duke driving dangerously and evading authorities.

Since being listed just over a week ago, the Trade Me auction has attracted nearly 12,000 views but despite the interest, no bids have yet been placed.

The auction starts at $55,000 with no reserve. Owner Michelle Powell, 38, said she has had four serious buyers come to view the car so far.

Miss Powell, whose nickname is Daisy, said she bought the car through Trade Me three years ago and had spent about $16,000 into slowly doing it up.

Without paperwork to back up the car's claim to stardom, Miss Powell said the importers were hazy on the exact details.

"All he basically said to me is as far as he's aware, it is out of the show."

Spirited debate is raging on the Trade Me auction's question section, with 47 inquiries posted by yesterday morning.

A poster named dasteelman said the car was unlikely to be authentic as nearly every original car used on The Dukes of Hazzard was written off during the extreme stunts involved.

"ben-thompson" disagreed, saying his brother came across an original General Lee "rusting away in a paddock in the middle of nowhere".

Miss Powell is unconcerned about the Charger's heritage.

She said it is an absolute icon in its own right, whether it is genuine or not, and she just loved the car regardless.

In the past, other motorists have taken photographs of the General Lee from their own vehicles while stuck in traffic jams.

"Everywhere you go, you get looks," said Miss Powell.

Nevertheless, the amount of attention generated by the conspicuous car's sale came as a surprise.

"It's just a car - I mean, to me it's more than a car, but I didn't expect this to happen at all.

"It's caused a bit of a ruckus," she said.