Volo Museum's Mopar car show brings TV nostalgia
The Richard Sephton Memorial Mopar Show - taking place Saturday, June 3, at the Volo Museum - will be one part car show, one part American Diabetes Association fundraiser, with a side of star car action.
Those attending will see not only an impressive array of high-performance Chryslers, Dodges, Rams and other models falling within the Mopar realm. They'll also take in two screen-used "Fast & Furious" Chargers and two historic General Lees from "Dukes of Hazzard" days, one of which has such a high-drama back story, the car itself could be the subject of a biopic.
Dubbed the Stand-Up General Lee, the car was intended for the final episode of "Dukes," which aired on CBS from 1979-1985. Richard Sephton, a Mopar fan, racer and procurer and builder of cars for the show, built the "stand-up" model of the famous orange '69 Charger, modified to cruise along nose-up, with its front wheels several feet in the air.
"Richard thought it would be a cool way to end the show, with Bo and Luke Duke driving off into the sunset popping a wheelie," said Brian Grams, director of the Volo Museum, now the caretaker of the long-lost and formerly lawsuit-besieged car.
"Warner Bros. was initially intrigued," he said. "But the producers ultimately declined because they said there'd been too many modifications - that it wouldn't closely enough match the car viewers were accustomed to seeing."
That didn't stop Sephton from being enamored with his Stand-Up Lee, which he planned to display at shows across the country. Things went sideways, though, when, during a hotly contested divorce, Sephton's then-wife's attorney sold the car.
A legal battle over its ownership ensued, continuing for decades, and even including, in the early 2000s, a "theft" and repossession of the car.
After Volo obtained the car in 2022, Grams reached out to the Sephtons to learn about the car's back story from those who knew it best.
"Richard has since passed from complications of diabetes," Grams said. "His daughter, Amanda Sephton, and I talked. She is pleased to know the car will have a legacy display, including some details honoring her dad and his work."
Amanda Sephton is expected to attend the show on June 3, along with guest speaker Tom Sarmento, a former "Dukes" mechanic and stunt man who worked with Richard Sephton.
Those who would like to enter cars in the June 3 Mopar show will pay a $30 registration fee at the gate, with all fees going to the American Diabetes Association, Grams said.
Anyone entering a car in the show will receive free museum admission for the registrant, plus one passenger. Spectator admission to the show will be included in the regular museum ticket price June 3.
"I'm hoping for a great turnout," Grams said. "It's a chance for 'Dukes' fans to meet some behind-the-scenes showrunner royalty and for Mopar fans to take in some eye-popping cars. Plus, weather-permitting, we'll raise some money for a terrific cause."
The Volo Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $22.95 per adult, $20.95 per senior and for military, $12.95 for children ages 5 to 12 and free for children 4 and younger.
Separate admission to the Jurassic Gardens dinosaur park is $15.95 each; free for children 4 and younger.
Combo passes for both attractions cost $34.95 for an adult or $24.95 for children ages 5-12, and are good for two consecutive days. Members are admitted free.
Tickets for the museum's new Titanic exhibit are $19.95, or $14.95 when in combination with any other ticket, or for members.
For other details, visit volofun.com, find Volo Museum on social, or call (815) 385-3644.