Dollar General Lee
08-15-2008 | 01:58 AM
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From: Maryland Heights, MO
Dollar General Lee
From our local paper.............
Last modified: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 9:11 AM CDT
Travis Vangsnes stands next to his 1986 Chevrolet Caprice station wagon, the "Dollar General Lee".Local man sells one-of-a-kind car on eBay
By Chris Campbell
When Travis Vangsnes drives, people pay attention.
For several years Vangsnes has been blazing a trail through Jefferson County in a 1986 Chevrolet Caprice station wagon he dubbed the "Dollar General Lee."
The car is known around town for its remarkable paint job, which features a Dollar General Store logo and imagery from the iconic 1980s television show "The Dukes of Hazzard."
Vangsnes, 28, painted the "grocery getter" in honor of the wood-grained "family truckster" he traveled in with his family as a child.
"It started as a joke," Vangsnes said. "My brother and I grew up with a station wagon. We thought it would be hilarious to get back at my dad."
During the paint session, Vangsnes and his brother searched for inspiration.
It arrived in the form of the Dollar General Lee.
Vangsnes is unsure whether the outcome was the result of creative genius or oxygen depletion.
"There wasnt much ventilation in there," he said.
Once finished, the Dollar General Lee proved surprisingly reliable.
"I drove it daily for two years," Vangsnes said. "I actually drove it from South Carolina to South Dakota. People would honk and take pictures."
The car became a familiar sight on local roads, drawing much amusement and some bafflement.
"I had a state trooper pull me over and tell me hed seen this stupid car all over St. Louis for months," Vangsnes said. "He gave me a lecture and asked me if I picked up chicks in this thing."
Kevin Kidd, 27, who works with Vangsnes in Arnold, was afforded the chance to ride in "The General" on several occasions.
While some might be apprehensive about riding in a such an attention-getting vehicle, Kidd relished the opportunity.
"There was no slinking into the seat or anything like that," Kidd said. "It definitely turned heads. Staff and clients got a kick out of it."
After racking up thousands of miles and at least an equal number of incredulous stares, Vangsnes decided to part ways with the Dollar General Lee a few weeks ago.
He put the one-of-a-kind vehicle on eBay for auction, advising buyers to think of the car as a kind of "superhero vehicle" that "gives hope" to the people of Appalachia, in a colorful auction description.
With only 167,000 miles on the eight-cylinder beast, the Dollar General Lee didnt last long, attracting multiple buyers who werent put off by the presence of a little rust and Bondo.
"It was gone within seven days," Vangsnes said.
Sale price $450.
Now the "General" is rolling on the roads of rural Missouri, and will soon be consigned to life as a demolition derby car.
Vangsnes looks back on his old car with nothing but fond memories.
"It was one of those things that you either get it or you dont," Vangsnes said. "I thought it was hilarious."
Last modified: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 9:11 AM CDT
Travis Vangsnes stands next to his 1986 Chevrolet Caprice station wagon, the "Dollar General Lee".Local man sells one-of-a-kind car on eBay
By Chris Campbell
When Travis Vangsnes drives, people pay attention.
For several years Vangsnes has been blazing a trail through Jefferson County in a 1986 Chevrolet Caprice station wagon he dubbed the "Dollar General Lee."
The car is known around town for its remarkable paint job, which features a Dollar General Store logo and imagery from the iconic 1980s television show "The Dukes of Hazzard."
Vangsnes, 28, painted the "grocery getter" in honor of the wood-grained "family truckster" he traveled in with his family as a child.
"It started as a joke," Vangsnes said. "My brother and I grew up with a station wagon. We thought it would be hilarious to get back at my dad."
During the paint session, Vangsnes and his brother searched for inspiration.
It arrived in the form of the Dollar General Lee.
Vangsnes is unsure whether the outcome was the result of creative genius or oxygen depletion.
"There wasnt much ventilation in there," he said.
Once finished, the Dollar General Lee proved surprisingly reliable.
"I drove it daily for two years," Vangsnes said. "I actually drove it from South Carolina to South Dakota. People would honk and take pictures."
The car became a familiar sight on local roads, drawing much amusement and some bafflement.
"I had a state trooper pull me over and tell me hed seen this stupid car all over St. Louis for months," Vangsnes said. "He gave me a lecture and asked me if I picked up chicks in this thing."
Kevin Kidd, 27, who works with Vangsnes in Arnold, was afforded the chance to ride in "The General" on several occasions.
While some might be apprehensive about riding in a such an attention-getting vehicle, Kidd relished the opportunity.
"There was no slinking into the seat or anything like that," Kidd said. "It definitely turned heads. Staff and clients got a kick out of it."
After racking up thousands of miles and at least an equal number of incredulous stares, Vangsnes decided to part ways with the Dollar General Lee a few weeks ago.
He put the one-of-a-kind vehicle on eBay for auction, advising buyers to think of the car as a kind of "superhero vehicle" that "gives hope" to the people of Appalachia, in a colorful auction description.
With only 167,000 miles on the eight-cylinder beast, the Dollar General Lee didnt last long, attracting multiple buyers who werent put off by the presence of a little rust and Bondo.
"It was gone within seven days," Vangsnes said.
Sale price $450.
Now the "General" is rolling on the roads of rural Missouri, and will soon be consigned to life as a demolition derby car.
Vangsnes looks back on his old car with nothing but fond memories.
"It was one of those things that you either get it or you dont," Vangsnes said. "I thought it was hilarious."
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