The Horn Everyone Recognizes
Some horns get ignored. This one doesn’t.
Five quick notes and everyone looks. The Dixie horn isn’t just loud. It’s recognizable, fun, and tied to one of the most iconic cars in TV history. You’ve heard it at car shows, on lifted trucks, in parades, and maybe even from a side-by-side out in the woods. It’s the kind of sound that turns heads, gets smiles, and leaves a mark.
Most people call it the General Lee horn. Some just call it the Dukes of Hazzard horn. But the right name is the Dixie horn. It plays a short melody using real air trumpets, not a speaker or fake sound. And it’s been doing that long before most people knew what it was called.
In this article, we’ll go over what the Dixie horn is, how it works, why the General Lee made it famous, and why people still run it today.
What Is a Dixie Horn
The Dixie horn is a musical horn made up of five individual trumpets. Each one is a different length and tuned to a specific note. When you press the horn button, those notes fire in order to play the melody from the song “Dixie.”
It’s not a sound clip or a cheap speaker. This is real compressed air flowing through five trumpets. That’s what gives it that sharp, clean tone that cuts through everything around it.
The version we sell comes with a compact direct drive compressor. That means you don’t need an air tank or onboard air system. It runs off your vehicle’s 12-volt power and starts honking as soon as you hit the switch.
The General Lee and the Horn That Stole the Show
The General Lee was a 1969 Dodge Charger made famous by the TV show The Dukes of Hazzard. It was bright orange, had a big “01” on the doors, and made every entrance in dramatic fashion. But the thing most people remember about it? The horn.
Every time Bo or Luke hit the button, the car played the first few notes of “Dixie.” It wasn’t a normal horn. It had character. And it became one of the most recognizable sounds in television history.
That horn was a real product, not a custom one-off. The show just gave it a permanent place in car culture. Today, people still search for General Lee horn kits even though the real name is Dixie horn. It’s the same sound, still used for the same reason — it gets attention, and people love it.
This horn is not connected to the show or its rights holders. It just plays the same melody that millions of people know from hearing it on the General Lee.
How a Dixie Horn Works
The Dixie horn setup is simple but effective. It plays a melody, not a blast, and it does it using air power. Here’s how it works:
- Direct drive compressor
The kit includes a compact 12-volt compressor that mounts inside your engine bay or under the frame. When you hit the horn button, the compressor kicks on and sends air straight to the horn. There’s no tank or refill cycle to worry about.
- Five tuned trumpets
Each trumpet plays a different note. Together they fire in sequence to create the full melody. The horns are made of ABS and give a sharp, authentic sound. You can mount them together or spread them out depending on space.
- No tank required
Because the compressor powers the horn directly, you don’t need an air tank. That means a quicker install and fewer components to deal with. It also makes it easier to fit in compact engine bays or smaller vehicles.
Why People Still Use Dixie Horns Today
The Dixie horn became popular because of the General Lee, but it stuck around for other reasons. It’s loud, it’s fun, and it always gets a reaction. People know it immediately, even if they don’t remember where they first heard it.
You’ll see Dixie horns installed on:
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Classic muscle cars
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Lifted trucks
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Parade floats and show builds
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Side-by-sides and ATVs
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Golf carts, boats, and custom rides
Some people use it as a nod to the past. Others just like the way it sounds. It’s simple, it works, and it adds personality to anything you bolt it onto.
Our Dixie Horn Kit
Our Dixie horn kit plays the same five-note melody that made the General Lee famous. It’s powered by a direct drive compressor and gives you the same bold sound without the need for a full air system.
What’s in the box:
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Five ABS trumpets tuned to the Dixie melody
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12-volt direct drive compressor
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Mounting brackets and hardware
This horn is built to last and designed for real-world use. It’s loud enough to be heard in traffic, at meets, or across a field. Whether you’re building a tribute car or just want something fun to honk, this horn gets the job done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same horn from the General Lee?
It plays the same melody. The horn on the show was a version of the Dixie horn, and this kit delivers the same five-note sound. It’s not a licensed product, but it’s the same idea.
Do I need an air tank or onboard air?
No. The compressor in this kit powers the horns directly. There’s no tank or refill cycle, just a direct feed of air when you hit the button.
Is it loud?
Yes. It’s more than loud enough for daily driving or event use. It’s not as intense as a train horn, but it gets heard and always gets noticed.
Can I install it on any vehicle?
Pretty much. As long as you have 12-volt power and a little room for the trumpets and compressor, this kit will fit. It works on cars, trucks, UTVs, boats, and more.
Is it legal to use?
Most places allow novelty horns as long as you use them responsibly. Don’t honk it in traffic to cause problems, and check your local sound ordinances if you’re unsure.
Disclaimer
“General Lee” and The Dukes of Hazzard are registered trademarks of their respective owners. This product is not affiliated with or endorsed by the trademark holders. This article is for informational purposes only.
Final Thoughts
The Dixie horn has been making noise for decades, and it’s not going away anytime soon. Whether you watched The Dukes of Hazzard growing up or just want something different from the usual honk, this horn does what it was made to do — get attention.
It’s easy to install, fun to use, and always gets a reaction. If you want your horn to do more than just beep, this is the one to run.