Details! Details! Details! One thing most replica owners strive for is accuracy. We recently spoke to Tom Sarmento (Original set mechanic on DOH) about the details of the patrol cars used for the series. According to Tom all "Dukes" patrol cars had either 360 or 440 engines with thermoquad carburetors. While most replicas are built out of civilian cars -the real screen-used patrol cars actually started life as "Police-Packaged" patrol cars. Typically a screen-used car showed up on the set with between 78,000 - 90,000 miles. The original cars were all sourced from the California Highway Patrol and the San Bernadino County Sheriff's Office (where most of the round headlight cars came from). Since most of the cars were received in two-tone black & white - all squads were painted a fresh factory fleet white (not a bright white). Since the previous police department had removed the spotlight - the telltale hole left in the windshield post was filled with bondo. Between 800 - 1000 squad cars were used on the set - standing in for Hazzard patrol cars, Chickasaw Units and neighboring counties - and "bad guy" cars.

Unlike the "General Lee" - there never was a specific "hero" close-up patrol car used by the first unit on the set of Dukes. The first unit would typically be provided one of the cleanest units - with a full front bench seat (in case Boss Hogg had to be in the car!). The cars typically had either a full front bench seat or a 60/40 split front seat.

Screen-used patrol cars were obtained for around $1,500 - $2,000 per car and the carburetors were immediately swapped to a Holley 390 cfm model # 9777. Other details included a transmission cooler, oil cooler, power steering cooler, front and rear sway bars, 11 inch rear brakes with 2:76 posi-trac rear ends. The glovebox included a push-button trunk release.The cars also featured dual exhaust and dual catalytic converters. One unique feature to the original cars was a low gear lock-out on the transmission. In other words, the car in drive would start in 1st gear and shift upwards normally. However, the driver could not manually move the shifter any lower than second gear at any speed including a complete stop. In a "hot pursuit" situation, police officers in Mopar Police Units could not accidentally destroy the transmission by putting it in low gear at speed. The civilian versions of these same cars were not equipped with this feature.

 

Obviously having correct decals for your Hazzard Patrol Car Replica is a key element. The original decals used on the television show were paper - and did not adhere to the car very well at all. Tom Sarmento, the original set mechanic on the show "Dukes of Hazzard" now manages the Hazzard County Stunt Team and offers replica builders a chance to use high quality decals made directly off of an original set of door badges from the show.

The original decals on the show were tediously hand cut paper - while the new versions for replicas are vinyl.

Eagle-eyed fans have noticed some episodes of the show feature silver-colored door badges. The truth is - silver badges were never produced for the show. Many episodes involve scenes featuring Enos or Cletus washing their patrol car in front of the police department. The water in these scenes would almost instantly fade the gold color in the hand cut decals - resulting in a silver badge! A sharp eye will event notice peeling edges on the badge - another sign of water damage! If you ever spot a silver door badge - that car has been used in a car wash scene at some point in its inevitably short life!

Accurate reproduction decals are available from the original set mechanic Tom Sarmento at www.hazzardcountystuntteam.com

We hope the complilation of this information will assist you in any efforst to reproduce the loveable Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane's patrol car. We must stress the importance of checking your local laws and regulations concerning police badging and lighting equipment. Have fun and keep it between the ditches!

Article and graphics by Scott Romine Special thanks to Tom Sarmento and the Hazzard County Sheriff Department members of the cglfc.com website.