Needham Market man recreates Dukes of Hazzard Dodge Charger just in time for his wedding

A Dukes of Hazzard fan arrived at his wedding in style after spending more than £82,000 faithfully recreating his dream car.

David Lay, 57, has spent 14 years working on a replica of the 1970 Dodge Charger from the hit American TV show, which ran between 1979 and 1985.

The 7.2L motor, which costs around £1 per mile to drive, was finished just in time for his wedding at Stowmarket Register Office on June 28.

Bride Sonia Barnard, 59, wasn’t to be outdone however when she arrived at the register office in a Mustang.

“It was a great day,” said Mr Lay, who lives in Needham Market, where he runs Suffolk Steam Cleaning and Valeting.

“I bought the car 14 years ago from Ebay. It had been sitting in a field and was basically just a rusty shell.

“But it’s been my passion ever since and I must have spent more than £82,000 on it since then.”

After the wedding, guests boarded in a mini bus and headed to Felixstowe for fish and chips and a party on the beach.

Sonia and David have four children between them: Sonia's children, Kim, Kierren and Karl, and David's son, Oliver, 19. The couple spent their honeymoon in Benidorm.

For the last year, the Dodge Charger has been with A TM engineering, in Beeston, near King’s Lynn, for final touches, including a new engine.

Known as ‘General Lee' in the TV show, the car was driven by race drivers Bo and Luke.

“They’ve done an absolutely fantastic job and delivered the car around four days before the wedding,” added David.

“I would watch The Dukes Of Hazzard religiously every Saturday as a youngster and always loved the General Lee,” said David.

“It’s a bit of a gas guzzler but worth every penny.