General Lee roars into Castle Howard rally

The iconic General Lee leapt onto our TV screens in the late 1970s and 1980s with a starring role in American television series The Dukes of Hazzard.

The car will be appearing at The Yorkshire Post Motor Show and Classic Car Rally at Castle Howard on Father’s Day.

Stephen Mead bought his own version of the car – which may well have been used in the show – four years ago.

He said: “We don’t know for sure if it was actually one used in The Dukes of Hazzard but it came from the right area at the right time.”

Mr Mead, from Norton, introduced the car to the show’s legendary Daisy Duke when actress Catherine Bach opened the Motorhome and Caravan Show in Birmingham in 2012.

Mr Mead, 66, said: “Anyone who sees the car knows what it is. A delivery man came to the house and actually kissed the tyre.

“I don’t know whether or not it was used in filming but it’s great fun to drive and the reaction and pleasure it gives everyone makes me a very happy man.”

Meanwhile, a 1958 Lister Jaguar, which has been linked to American racing driver and car designer Carroll Shelby, is heading to Castle Howard. The showstopper is among a stunning collection of competition cars curated by Geoff Hill and other members of the British Automobile Racing Club Yorkshire Centre.

Mr Hill said: “It is rumoured to have been sold to Carroll Shelby, who was a famous racer, and then to have come back to the UK. The owner completely rebuilt it. It has since been raced and hill climbed by its present owner.

“They are pretty rare and this one is in fabulous condition as will be seen on the day.”

Other cars in the collection include a 1928 ex Le Mans Bentley 8 Litre, a 1918 Stutz Bearcat and an extremely rare WSM-bodied Austin Healey Sprite built on a 1969 chassis, plus a Ferrari from Harrogate which has competed in the Ferrari Series and a Pilbeam MP88 from Scarborough.

The collection will join hundreds of vehicles at the family event on Sunday 19 June.

Visitors can also enjoy a packed programme of entertainment with a World War Two Spitfire topping the bill.

Tickets for The Yorkshire Post Motor Show and Classic Car Rally can be bought by visiting www.castlehoward.co.uk/motorshow.