new cop cars - retro cruisers

[turnheadz]

have you seen them? way funny to see that cherry on top! We saw one today on the Banff/Lake Louise corridor and it even hit us with radar They are all over Alberta:

Twelve retro-look police cruisers that are fully functional vehicles will be stationed around the province. They were introduced to celebrate the RCMP’s 135th anniversary, which took place on May 23.

This vehicle is a fully functional Traffic Services police cruiser. It is equipped with the newest generation LED lighting, corner strobes and arrow bar. As the vehicle is operational, it is also equipped with the newest RADAR and a Digital “In-Car” camera system and Police Reporting Occurrence System (PROS) mobile terminal.
The vehicle is painted in the original paint scheme, which was used from the 1950s to 1973.
“Retro” equipment includes the rotating roof light, “POLICE / STOP” fender light, black and white paint scheme and door decals.

[ttarob]

They have had one of those at the High River car show the last 2 years, everyone stops and looks at it, then says, that looks like cop cars from the 70's .... Lol
Th

But that is the only place I have seen one, haven't seen them on the road.

[YellowDZH]

That red light looks like something for the 70s for sure. You thing they would have a newest light bar on top.

[Cash]

Originally Posted by YellowDZH

That red light looks like something for the 70s for sure. You thing they would have a newest light bar on top.

That might rather defeat the intended purpose of "retro" don't you figure?
I say bring back those old cherries. It's a hazard making me squint into my rear view mirror for extended periods trying to determine if it is a low profile light bar or a roof rack coming up from behind.

[ChuckDuck]

Reminds me of The Naked Gun intro.

[MnMsToy]

l0l

[DonSSR]

Sandy

I became a city cop in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1969 and was very familiar with the "retro look". At that time the City of Saskatoon had black patrol cars with white doors and "cherries" on the top. The top lights wouldn't turn when the weather got below -20 F. The worst part was the patrol cars were ordered at the cheapest possible price and included no special equiment for police driving. The brakes would seriously fad after three hard braking and it made it almost impossible to continue chasing someone once the brakes faded. I recall going through a busy intersection at about 60 mph with both feet firmly planted on the brake pedal and the patrol car was not slowing down at all! I thought I would die for sure if I hit anyone. Top speed was around 110-115 mph - and all of that on regular passenger tires. The thrill of the chase generally over shadowed a concern for our safety!

One of my "police vehicle" memories was driving a 1957 Chev one ton panel "Paddy Wagon" with a 283 V8 and a four speed manual transmission. It was very heavy and was a plug to drive. It was in service for about 20 years before it was "retired". I always what happend to it and what it might be like to restore it.

By the mid 70's we started to get better cars that even had options like power disc brakes and bigger engines. One of the best (fastest) patrol cars we had was the 1978 Malibu with a 350 engine. We sometimes would flip the air cleaner cover over to give us a little more air flow - and give us that inspirational "sucking air" sound. The car was too small for larger cops, but it went like stink and often it didn't stop that good.

By the time I retired in 1994, the patrol cars were all special order police cars with equipment that made it a whole lot safer and easier to drive.

Ah... the good old days!!!

DonSSR

[CJ]

too funny
got to love it
shame they are Fords

[turnheadz]

Don - great story, thanks for sharing

Dale - have you seen that VW around Kamloops? has a big white dog in the back seat that looks out the sunroof. funny as heck to see

[WILDBILLandRED]

Originally Posted by DonSSR

Sandy

By the time I retired in 1994, the patrol cars were all special order police cars with equipment that made it a whole lot safer and easier to drive.


DonSSR

Hey Don,..

Just skimming thru some posts and saw this,..
thanks for sharing,.. nice story !!