Are you coming to Covington to see Lee 1?

A week from tomorrow is a historic day in the beloved lore of "The Dukes of Hazzard." On that day, fans will get to see the restoration of the very first blazin' orange General Lee that ever took a jump in the name of "The Dukes." Lee 1, as it was labeled by the show's production team, and as it has come to be known by "Dukes" fans everywhere, will arrive into downtown Covington on Saturday, November 11, 2006, the actual 28th anniversary of the car's jump at Oxford College for the show's pilot episode.

The car's owner has chatted with BRBTV about his loving restoration of the vehicle since its recovering in a junkyard in Metro Atlanta a few years ago, where it had sat since its second appearance on the show, as the wrecked race car in the episode "Repo Men." Lee 1's new owner has taken great care in returning the 1969 Dodge Charger to its original condition -- but he's quick to clarify that it's the condition the car was in when it left the ramp at Oxford, not when it rolled off the assembly line. Many parts are original, believe it or not, having survived the jump. The car even still bears the same college sticker on the windshield it had when it was called into duty for the filming. Lee 1's owner has restored the car for the fans, he tells BRBTV, as he believes that car truly belongs to all of us who've watched and loved the show for nearly 30 years.

And who will be behind the wheel when Lee 1 enters the historic square in Covington and takes its place in front of the courthouse at 1 p.m. on that day? None other than John Schneider, our own Bo Duke, who is the only "Dukes" actor to have driven the vehicle.

Also in Covington, on Friday night, Schneider will give "Dukes" fans a special showing of his new film, "Collier and Co." To learn more about that, check out his website for the film.

In case you can't make the trip to Covington (birthplace of "The Dukes," for sure) we'll be postin' some good ole snapshots of the beautiful car on this very blog for you to behold ... But hope to see ya there!