‘Twister’ truck turns heads in Hartselle: Local movie buff recreates iconic tornado-chasing vehicle
For fans of the 1996 blockbuster film “Twister,” the red Dodge Ram used throughout is one of the most iconic artifacts of cinematic lore.
A striking replica of the truck, complete with Dorothy III in the bed, can often be spotted in downtown Hartselle and looks as though it drove straight off the movie set.
The crux of the film is this: Upon Bill’s return to rural Oklahoma to finalize the couple’s divorce, Meteorologist Jo coaxes her soon-to-be ex-husband into assisting her with launching a prototype tornado tracker nicknamed Dorothy.
Judson Hudson, a self-described nerd and movie buff, owns the truck. Recently, Hudson’s replica gained further fame by being featured in the music video “Chasing the Wind” by Lanie Gardner, a song from the upcoming standalone sequel “Twisters,” set to hit theaters this Friday.
Hudson, who has always been passionate about the movie, explained his inspiration behind creating the replica.
“Twister is one of those movies that, ever since I saw it in 1996 with my parents, I have to stop and drop what I am doing to watch it every single time it comes on TV. It was so well put together – the characters, the music, the action. Overall, it’s just a fun movie,” Hudson shared. “I never imagined owning a RAM back in the day because, let’s face it, even back then new trucks were expensive, even for teens. But the truck itself is a character on its own with Dorothy, so it has always sat in the back of my mind wanting to own and make one. Eventually, the prices became reasonable enough.”
Hudson’s journey as a movie buff began in 2004 with the restoration of a 1973 Dodge Charger SE into a General Lee tribute car from “The Dukes of Hazzard,” a project he completed with his father. This set the stage for his love of themed vehicles.
“I never was a fan of regular vehicles; I prefer something to match my interests,” he said. Through the years, Hudson built replicas from various beloved franchises, including a Ghostbusters Ectomobile and a Jurassic Park Jeep, before finally deciding to tackle the iconic “Twister” truck.
Finding the right truck for the project was a challenge, he noted.
“The truck itself was a bit difficult for me to find. Sure, Dodge Rams are common, but finding the exact same model as the one in the movie is a bit more challenging,” he explained. After considerable effort, he found a 1998 Dodge Ram that he modified to closely resemble the 1996 movie model.
One of the standout features of Hudson’s truck is the meticulously recreated Dorothy III. “Building Dorothy, of course – she has to be custom made – you can’t just purchase it.” Hudson said.
In the film, “Dorothy” is a scientific tornado instrument used to analyze data and to radio back information to create an advanced warning system.
The project was a family effort, with Hudson’s parents playing key roles in constructing the iconic storm-tracking device.
“My dad did the metal cutting, my mom plasma cut the smaller pieces and painted what was needed, and I did the steel welding and assembling of all the gadgets and electronics. I had the barrel welded by JET Welding and Fabrications in Hartselle as I did not have the proper welder to weld aluminum. I would have to say wiring is the most difficult part. She does light up, and even has her sound just like in the movie. I also made 100 of the sensors with the soda cans spinners that sits inside,” he said.
Hudson’s dedication to authenticity and detail is evident in the truck’s features.
“My truck is different from other Twister Ram Replica owners as I have a silver toolbox in the bed of mine. It’s incorrect in terms of it’s not in the movie, but if you’re going to be driving an older Ram, you are going to want to carry a good amount of tools and spare parts with you in case it breaks down,” he explained.
He also added cow plushies on the dash, a nod to the famous line from the movie, “I’ve got to go, Julia, we got cows,” and stickers from the Twister Museum in Wakita, Okla., where the movie was set.
Hudson said the public’s reaction to the truck has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I (have) had a few instances where I died laughing internally because there are still folks out there (who) have yet to see the movie and ask me why I am hauling around a moonshine still,” he said.
A particularly memorable experience for Hudson was driving the truck to Wakita, where he attended the 25th anniversary event at the movie museum.
“The museum held a giant 25th anniversary event where they had a (of the actors) out signing autographs and taking pictures,” he recalled.
Looking ahead, Hudson plans to maintain and showcase the truck for years to come.
“I’m hoping to return to Wakita in 2026 for their 30-year celebration of Twister,” he said.
As for future projects, Hudson expressed a desire to recreate another Jeep YJ from Jurassic Park.
