As we move closer and closer towards this weird future where we have computers in our brains and robots making coffees and 3D printing Super Wines for us in the morning, the value placed upon nostalgia for 'the good old days' is as strong as ever.
From a car perspective this covers pretty much everything, including the four-wheel characters that used to star on the silver screen in the '70s and '80s. The cars of Ghostbusters, Knight Rider, and The A-Team are held in high regard of course. But perhaps one car outshines them all; the General Lee Dodge Charger from Dukes of Hazzard.
Few cars in the world of motoring have had so many impersonators and copycats. All over the US and the rest of the world there are General Lee replicas; ranging from direct copies to curious homages (including the orange Nissan Cube that runs around West Auckland with No. 01 slapped on the doors. Yes, I've seen you!).
Where this particular replica, built by Smith Bros. Restorations, fits onto the spectrum is probably up for debate.
Photo / Smiths Bro. Restorations
From the outside it looks like pure Charger goodness, complete with original wheels and proportions (and that flag of, uhh, questionable history stamped on the roof). But as you can see in the video above what exists underneath is a completely different kettle of fish — an ex-Portland Police Ford Crown Victoria cop car.
Prepared for a fan event called Dukesfest, the build took the team just 12 days — made particularly impressive when you think that almost all the bodywork swapping was done and dusted (with the car running) within just three days. There are other amazing touches in there too, like the handmade Charger grill and the roll cage that doubles as the front A pillars.
The result is a Charger that looks near enough authentic, based on modern architecture and electronics underneath.
It also, evidently, handles jumps like a champion.