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Settle The Debate: General Lee vs. The Bandit

In last week’s edition of “Settle The Debate,” I asked you guys if you would rather build a hot rod pickup with an LS or Coyote engine, and a lot of you had really great opinions on that subject. This week I figured I’d start a debate that’s a little less practical and more fun. In “Smokey and the Bandit” and “The Dukes of Hazzard,” there is one car that’s needed to either transport something illegal or draw off the police so something can get delivered as fast as possible. So what would you choose if you were put in a similar situation? The 1969 Dodge Charger R/T (General Lee) or the 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am (The Bandit)? Remember, gentlemen, we’re debating cars, not Sally Field vs. Catherine Bach.

The Scenario: It’s 1985. A rich executive will pay $500,000 to the team that can get a truckload of authentic Mexican tequila from Laredo, Texas, to Jacksonville, Florida, the fastest. If you are able to get the alcohol there in under three days with no damage, your team gets a $10,000 bonus.

Some good ol’ boys headed eastbound and down
Click on the image to view this 1969 Dodge Charger R/T on ClassicCars.com

General Lee specs:

  • 1969 Dodge Charger R/T
    • 440ci Magnum V-8
      • 375 horsepower
      • 480 lb-ft of torque
      • 10.1:1 compression ratio
    • Four-speed manual transmission
    • Sure-Grip differential
    • 19-gallon fuel tank
Click on the image to view this 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am on ClassicCars.com

The Bandit specs:

  • 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am W87
    • W72 400ci V-8
      • 200 net horsepower
      • 325 lb-ft of torque
      • 8.0:1 compression ratio
    • Four-speed close-ratio manual transmission
    • Positraction differential
    • 20-gallon fuel tank

Which would you choose? Tell us in the Comments section below.


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