The Story of “Cooter and The Grey Ghost 02”

COOTER AND THE GREY GHOST 02
IT ALL STARTED IN 1946, MAYBE ’47, WAY BACK WHEN….
I remember it like it was yesterday. Well, maybe the day before yesterday. My cousin Earl and I were about the same age, but he was a few months older than me, and lived in an actual neighborhood. So he was slightly wiser in the ways of the world. I was 6, you see, and he was 6 and a half.
He lived on a paved street in Petersburg, Virginia. I lived in a town, too, but not on what could really be called a street. “Harper Street” was then a one lane dirt road, down on the docks of Portsmouth. The road was filled with cinders from the steam engines of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. We lived in a railroad “section house”, hard by the big freight yard in Sugar Hill. Our backyard was blessed by the tidal waters of Scott’s Creek, an inlet of the Elizabeth River. Overhead there was air traffic, mostly flying out of Oceana Naval Air Station.
World War Two, the one they still call “The Big One”, had just ended. I sometimes wonder about the effects of growing up surrounded by a world at war, with B-29’s and P-38’s and giant Navy blimps overhead, on the hunt for the Nazi U-Boats that lurked just off the coast. The world’s largest battleships and aircraft carriers cruised up the Elizabeth River for repairs at the gigantic Navy Yard, and troop trains came through the rail yard in front of our section house, a big shack which had no electricity or indoor plumbing.
But “The Big One” was over and we were playing in his back yard up in Petersburg with his dog “Pal”. When a car came by we immediately paused to try to be the first to identify it.
“Ford!” “Packard!” “DeSoto, no, that’s a Plymouth!” “Frazer!” “Hudson”! “Nash”!
And then “it” appeared.
“That’s a, it’s a……..what the heck is it?” It looked like something from the deep future, something that not only couldn’t have been invented yet, but not even imagined. To us, it was like a spaceship of some sort. We couldn’t even tell which direction it was going.
We yelled at the driver and he stopped by the fence. “What is it? What is it?” Even Pal the Dog wanted to know.
The driver was very pleased. A couple of neighbors also came out to look.
“Its the brand new Studebaker,” he smiled. Almost 75 years later, I still see the guy’s face and his pride. And I still remember telling my older brother Bubba what I had seen. He acted too cool to be impressed. “Oh yeah,” he fibbed, “I’ve seen lots of them.”
Studebaker had promised in its advertising, “First by far with a post-war car”. A clunky line, but they pulled it off.
Those cars only got cooler when Studebaker added the bullet nose to the grill, a look that honored the F-86 Sabre jet, then fighting in the skies over Korea.
A few years later, when I was 13 or 14, my father bought me a junked 1938 Studebaker for $35. The tires were bare, but even though that sorry old hound dog had several hundred thousand miles on it, it still ran a little, with a top speed of about 40 mph. It wasn’t street-Iegal, but I could drive it up and down dusty Harper Street, which was on railroad property. I learned the straight stick on that car, and even learned to throw a bootleg turn, basically doing a 180 at about 35 mph. I can’t prove that, because I made sure there were no witnesses to the risks I thought I was taking. Fact is, it wasn’t all that risky, but a simple matter of old fashioned physics, done slowly.
Brother Bubba bought a used Studebaker Hawk when he was a senior in High School, but he was wise enough not to let me drive it.
The United States lost something special when the Studebaker Company closed its South Bend, Indiana plant in 1964. In 1966, the company closed for good. That same year one of their competitors came out with the Dodge Charger, and the “muscle cars” became the rage of the Nascar tracks and the back roads.
In 1979, a ten year old Charger became the most popular vehicle in the history of entertainment when “The General Lee”, a 1969 Charger, came out of Cooter’s Garage in Hazzard County with Bo and Luke Duke at the wheel. The General Lee became by far the most popular car in the history of show business, and that was verified by several serious surveys.
In the first season of filming down in Georgia I approached the Dukes’ producers with the idea of Cooter having an old Studebaker called “The Grey Ghost”. The producers nixed the idea immediately, pointing out that Cooter had his tow truck, which came to the Duke boys rescue just about every Friday night.
Read more at cootersplace.c...

[@scottbell7286]

Always good to hear from Cooter.

[@jterry211]

Cooter you are my hero. You held me when i was 2 years old in your wrecker. My mom came back to the auto show the next day and you signed the picture.

[@edantonuk690]

Damn I seen the pic but didn't realize that was actually cooter my God i miss the dukes of hazzard great seeing you 🤗🤗

[@haroldrose7507]

AGREE

[@tonyl.6581]

It really is good seeing him!

[@musshwins412]

Thanks for making my childhood fun.

[@clasmaster1471]

Cooter is awesome! Love the gray ghost! Miss all you good old boys. Great to see you again!

[@OttoTheWeim]

Cooter was always one of the most lovable characters of the show. He was more than often the actual hero of the episodes as well. I miss that show.

[@ThomasSmith-rp6xv]

You need a black tilly also to complete the collection! I would love to see a movie about Uncle Jesse and Boss Hogg back in the thirties when they were young and running shine! Sort of like the episode days of shine and roses! The early days of hazzard! I love it I love it! Awesome job Ben!

[@VeliusCoba]

Black Tilly would be pretty sweet to the collection, That's about the only car I've noticed he didn't have one of, That or "The Mean Green Machine".

[@ThomasSmith-rp6xv]

The original black tilly from the episode Days of Shine and Roses! The old car Jesse was driving in the old film they were watching at the boars nest! 1930s style car! Not the ford Ltd from High Octane or the ford mustang in Days of Shine and Roses!

[@williamduhamel7726]

Since someone brought up Black Tilly from High Octane (s1,e5). The LTD, was that Gator’s (Burt Reynolds) car from White Lightning?

[@VeliusCoba]

@@williamduhamel7726 Galaxy 500

[@jaybartlett4090]

@@williamduhamel7726 im fairly sure the ltd was one of the remaining cars used in repo men because when the light hits it right u can see green under the black rattle can paint

[@timbowhite3215]

Evening Mr Ben Jones Sir AKA Cooter Davenport

[@guardrail2897]

I once passed Cooter in the General Lee driving down route 211and it was raining. As I passed him, I noticed he had his head hanging out the window. Then I noticed his windshield was completely fogged up. He never missed a beat. I beeped my horn and gave him the thumbs up and he gave me the thumbs up too. True story.

[@traviswatts9082]

My brother and I stayed the night at our grandparents every Friday night and watched the Dukes of Hazard. Major part of my childhood!

[@oxyfee6486]

A great man,from a great time.

[@lowket]

What a proud addition to the Dukes lore. Thank you for sharing and keep it comin'!! C'mon back.

[@smokymtn.bearhunter6979]

Ben Jones you are the man 👨…. Keeping it going ,,, keep believing and staying with your beliefs…. Thank the lord,, PC hasn’t rubbed off on MR. Jones …

[@basedphantomlord4462]

Thanks for keeping the Dukes of Hazzard alive Ben, and for all the work you've done, the service to our country, and most of all standing up for the confederate flag and the south. Loved the shoutout to Mosbey's Rangers too. Keep up the great work!

[@davidkieffer7278]

Old school; Old's cool!

[@joncolbird7472]

Love the car an story cooter!!!!🙏🇺🇸

[@charliekline3975]

The greatest tv show ever

[@juliabaumer8315]

I love the old cars back in the day

[@michaelvrckoff6966]

Thanks for sharing cooter . Man I miss the dukes of hazzard . Here in Australia it was on at 4pm so I'd rush home from school and watch every afternoon

[@trynsurviven2440]

A show that can never be duplicated and stay as popular as The Dukes of Hazzard.

[@workingguy6666]

Man, that is a sweet car! Thank you for creating it and sharing it.

[@bobkat1663]

Great car thanks for sharing.

[@marygarner5249]

Sending Love your way COOL car 😁😁

[@LMarshall73]

My great-grandfather's grandfather served under Mosby. Very cool tribute.

[@dalerobinson3184]

Cooter you saond like Kinny Rogers, when you talk. Haha. Really miss you guy,s. Nice Car Brother. Love it.

[@gilvogt4440]

Love ya Cooter.....keep being you.....

[@ConquerYou]

Wow great car and paint, and information and presentation. Cheers ya’ll!! Thanks for posting this video, really enjoyed it.

[@doc_teamwaxoffroad]

Sharp.. 👍👍👍

[@parhogbom5160]

Stars and bars!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@midniteproductions20]

Great looking car

[@errittsmith4536]

I love old cars especially old like that you get to see what they were made and they were made of real steel not fiberglass what they are made of today thanks for sharing

[@Go4BrokeOffroad]

I didn't get to see the ghost when I was there but I did enjoy finally getting to see the museum

[@chaddavis7228]

Digging the car and the flag have a good day

[@TORCHBROTHERS]

God bless you and yours Ben. Beautiful Studebaker. My dad had a 1954 and it was grey. Darn good car's ! From back then.

[@aaronvandoorn1276]

I want there on My vacation last year 16 hour drive but well worth it time to make another road trip the road Trip. greetings from Iowa

[@ericruss4189]

I absolutely love this car! I need one like it.

[@adronholland1903]

Keep it going, colors on top would throw controversy now but let it ride we know history, that's what it's all about

[@leekronforst4589]

Hurrah for the team that came in second place during the Civil War. Also known as the LOSERS. The first participation award in the history of the country.

[@tylerhubbell6410]

Its still a part of history regardless.Go wine somewhere else.

[@helland846]

@@leekronforst4589 's that why the very mention of The Confederacy sends liberals and Yankees into tremors 155 years later?

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

Exactly, and most of the tine it isn’t even for history. Just a little stupid fun. Of course though, we aren’t allowed “Fun” nowadays

[@RustyZipper]

@@isaacsrandomvideos667 - I’m offended by everything but I grew up loving South Park…. Whierd 🐑

[@deopersad2915]

Awesome cool 😎😎

[@phillipholt6005]

My dad had one when I was 4 years old and I always wondered why he leaned back to start it then I found out the starter pedal was under the accelerator pedal and it was supposed to be a choke option instead of the manual device on the dashboard!

[@Sandhill1988]

Been meanin to watch this video and I'm glad I did. I vaguely remember the gray ghost from the show, glad I watched just to refresh my memory.

[@undertaker666dead]

What a beautiful car Cooter

[@SuperBullyone]

God Bless you. I am glad you remember some of our history. If you ever want to sell the Gray Ghost. Keep me in mind. I have cash.

[@RickNethery]

Grew up watching the show, glad you're doing well Cooter. God bless

[@stephenhopkins9541]

Cool ride!

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Enjoyed...................... 👍👍👍

[@ginahardin4064]

Good people the Duke of hazzard MISS u all

[@rodney1182]

Well I'm certainly glad I read the description! Great story!

[@chiefrocka8604]

Love a American cooter especially a Florida one

[@javenfogleman5798]

So glad I live Close to his Place Go the ofton Have Cruz ins ! Dixie Lives On !

[@klausvonschmit4722]

I thought holy crap uncle Jesse is still alive! Just kidding Cooter Awesome content

[@robertmay7737]

Met cooter at world of wheels in chattanooga , super nice down to earth guy.was at the urinal he spoke to me and said how are you doing.lol

[@andypressley4702]

Love to come up there one day may the good Lord be with you Andy from Abbeville sc

[@fredbadgett7962]

1950 Studebaker 3 passenger(Business coupes) are very rare. There maybe a tag under the hood on the passenger side firewall beginning with "9GQ"- the next number between 1 and 4 is the trim level-1 being the highest,4 the lowest.The numbers below those are the sequential body number. For example I have 1950 9GQ4 body number1545, of only 1562 produced. I highly recommend purchasing a reproduction 1950 Studebaker shop manual,it really helps keeping these cars purring.

[@modeladenny1218]

After moving to Florida I had a 1950 4-dr Commanderrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. A long car!

[@johnhylton5044]

Keep the memories alive

[@kevint.4968]

What about having a go at the #76 68' Chevelle with the "Cale Yarborough" 427 Big Block? That was an Epic Machine. Same goes for the "Jude Emery " 71' Roadrunner that Daisy had with the Side pipes,Cross Ram and the Slotted Mag wheels. And of course Both the blacked out "Sweet Tillie" 71' Custom 500 Interceptor package and Black Tillie 68' Mustang Coupe Moonrunner cars of Uncle Jessie. Those are ones that would be incredible.

[@wallyinthebox1]

That is So COOL!!! Thanks Ben

[@Tylershorts922]

Can you make a video telling the story about the grey ghost wished i lived closer so i could hear the whole story and hang out with the best machanic

[@steveperry1344]

i never cared much for the studebaker champion but i really like the studebaker pickup trucks from the 50's.

[@camillamartz8179]

Love crazy cooter.

[@taylorandsonsgarage]

That is a great looking car

[@lanternsown3525]

Nice Studebaker! Congressman I always thougth Studebakers were a set of cars ever since I saw one in the Muppet Movie.

[@dondagy9109]

Love seeing you guys still have fun with this, as someone who watched this as a kid in the early 80's.

[@corvetteboyz]

Very nice car Cooter. CorvetteBoyz Approved.

[@dobermanpac1064]

Brilliant ☑️

[@williamhadley1580]

Love the old Studie. You should put together a replica of Daisy's pre-Jeep ride too.

[@farmhand6524]

Sounding good motor has spark

[@jessewhetsell4034]

Car looks great .

[@cjsasek8972]

Beauty!!❤

[@katieandkevinsears7724]

We just happened upon your place today. The Grey Ghost looks better in person.

[@markfortin421]

Hi Cooter!! Ya know, the whole premise of "The Dukes" was fun, y'all kept havin' fun right to the end, but unfortunately there are people that took the show WAY TOO serious, and still do. (Tear down statues, erase history and eliminate a certain flag) I LOVE seeing y'all havin fun and that Studebaker is the perfect start to a "Dukes" renaissance....don't forget the horn! Hope to see more of you.

[@h8er627]

Thank you! Kick ass

[@chrisgrace67]

Cooter had a Race Car. It was the Chevelle that Luke drove because You broke your foot. It and General Lee tied because Bo had to finish in Reverse.

[@mattlawler8794]

I forgot about that one.

[@justinhobart8747]

Got to stop back in the next time I'm in Nashville, visiting my brother... the last time I was down there was...🤔 dang it's been 5 years ago, time flies, I got to get back to Nashville! 😉👍 Great place yet down there by the way! 0🧡1

[@basedphantomlord4462]

I believe this is in Lurane Virginia, not Tennessee.

[@gregmock8527]

Great video always good to hear from ya !!!

[@Jonnysgarage01]

Love it thanks for sharing

[@jeffscott8323]

The Stude. Cool. Bad machine.

[@timmossjr.5633]

Man great story written out ! Tho I’m not nearly old enough to know lol I was able to place myself there while reading. I love old true stories that are told well and have great feel to them. Beautiful car too that’s awesome you brought your concept to life

[@JBO3022]

Awesome.

[@Mudslinger2011]

Cool car, loved the show

[@dawge30]

Bless you. I was in Luray about a month ago, always fun to stop by. I was kinda hoping to see you there but I missed you. But, that means you are busy and moving about. Keep fighting the good fight. Greetings from Joe in Staunton.

[@michaellyon8337]

Just bought a hot wheels of that exact car, so cool!!

[@kevinheggi5419]

IT WAS Raymond Lowe that designed the car,,,,,Harley Earl worked for GM

[@nimblehealer199]

Who else but Cooter can talk about a car

[@eliotjones9835]

Jay Leno

[@bodarville7860]

I love it.

[@Ron-im6mj]

I'm retiring soon and I want to go to his garage.

[@JoeyVictorVideos]

Congratulations on your retirement!

[@Ron-im6mj]

@@JoeyVictorVideos Thanks I am so ready. Im ready to start living...haha

[@stevemccall3383]

Congrats on retirement!!

[@RLGGIBSON]

Great car to have for driving around town and turning heads in .

[@roadskare63]

hheheheeh...i ALWAYS liked cooter!!!

[@craigstjohn4470]

show been off the air, for about..33--34+ yrs!&. for next summer.wonder if they can do a mini tour, to mid wisconsin and, illinois and minnesota!! meet n greet people!! who can't make it down,south! 🤗 haven't seen,or met " cooters" since 2004/ green bay wisconsin! world of wheels!! ✝️🙏💒💟

[@GaisaSanktejo]

As someone who grew up watching the Dukes of Hazard, its great to see how many of you are still around :D Glad to find you well, friend :)

[@stevenphillip1159]

You need to do a new dukes of Hazzard show with that car one last time would be great

[@waynekerrgoodstyle]

The Saint Andrews flag is actually the national flag of Scotland (where I live), but it doesn't have the red cross on it or the stars. Very cool car.

[@redneckwookie]

I remember when I met ben at the world of wheels in Indianapolis Indiana

[@chrisnorman5659]

Looking like Uncle Jesse. Rip....

[@chosenone101]

The only Studebaker I've ever seen had a bear and a frog in it and they were ....Movin Right Along!

[@glennt939]

I remember cousin cooter

[@tennesseebull2367]

I always wanted to do. Plymouth Duster or Dodge Demon in a dark Grey and call it Pickett's Charge with the Bonnie Blue Flag on top. Even has a song about it. Lol. Great video COOTER. Love the Grey Ghost

[@tennesseebull2367]

Even wanted to # it 11 for the 11 Southern States in the song.

[@ThePossum808]

🇺🇸

[@jeradford9084]

Long live the dukes 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@garrisonnichols7372]

John Singleton Mosby aka the Grey Ghost was quite the character. Sometime in March of 1863 Mosby and his men captured two Union captains, 30 enlisted men and 58 horses without firing a single shot. Mosby personally captured Union General Edwin H. Stoughton while he was sleeping in his tent. Mosby woke up General Stoughton and asked him if he ever heard of a Colonel Mosby. Union General Stoughton ask " Yes! Did you capture him? The Grey Ghost laughed and said "No Sir I am Mosby!"

[@GlennsHardWired]

Yeeeeeee-Haaaaaaaw !

[@jakedoe1302]

Crazy cooter was my favort but yet Daisy was the best looking