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Usually when you see a police car, you automatically slow down, your heart rate speeds up, and you begin to sweat. Not to worry with these police cars! In the past five to ten years, there has been an increasing interest in collecting and restoring old cruisers, both the real thing and in miniature scale. One of the many interesting aspects of police cars is that they were basically utilitarian sedans with high performance motors, heavy duty transmissions, brakes, suspension, etc. The kind of stuff you'd see in muscle cars. Below are some photos of New England police cars that you may recognize.
Do you have photos of New England police cars, both past and present? If you do, the Walker Transportation Collection would like to see a copy. Please let us know by e-mailing us at . This is an exact replica of a 1949 Ford police cruiser from Peabody, Massachusetts, which is owned by Ted Jones. He has spent many years transforming the car into its current condition. Some parts took as much as two years to find, such as the 6-volt siren and light and the proper Massachusetts municipal license plates. The car has won many awards, including several first places in its category at national events. Back in 1949, the Ford replaced Peabody's tired 1942 Dodge cruiser. Peabody's only police car was powered by a stock 100-horsepower flat-head V-8. The Ford didn't have any of the heavy duty items that you would see in today's police cars. It didn't even have a police radio. If the officers in the Ford needed to get a hold of headquarters, there were dozens of call boxes throughout the small city for communication. Certainly a much simpler time than is the case today. The Peabody PD Ford, is shown above at a car show in Saugus, Massachusetts on September 22, 1991. (Photo by Richard W. Symmes. Walker Transportation Collection)
Note that this photo shows the very rare municipal license plate. This photo was taken at a car show in Wakefield, Massachusetts in May 1992. (Photo by Richard W. Symmes. Walker Transportation Collection)
This 1967 Dodge Coronet served the community of Old Orchard, Maine, where it is seen in a Fourth of July Parade in 1968. During the sixties and early seventies, Chrysler built some very potent police cars. For 1967, the Dodge Coronet Pursuit came with a lot of engine options. They ranged from a 145 horsepower, 215 ft. lbs. of torque, single barrel carb 225 cubic inch slant-six, all the way to the 383 cubic inch V-8 with 325 horsepower, 425 ft. lbs. of torque, topped with a four barrel carb. The Coronet Pursuit had heavy duty everything, including such items as heavy-duty seats and seat back springs, reinforced roof to mount lights and siren, heavy duty suspension, and a certified police-calibrated speedometer. To find out more about Chrysler police cars read "Dodge, Plymouth and Chrysler Police Cars 1956-1978" and "Dodge, Plymouth and Chrysler Police Cars 1979-1994" both written by Edwin J. Sanow and John L. Bellah. (Photo by Robert A. Fletcher. Walker Transportation Collection)
This 1994-95 Ford Crown Victoria currently serves the community of Danvers, Massachusetts. It is seen here assisting crowd control at the Liberty Tree Mall, on August 6, 1997, which hosts a cruise night every Wednesday. Since Chevrolet recently stopped making its big Caprice, Ford became the only player in the full-size police car market. With that said, expect to see more of the Crown Vics down at your neighborhood precinct. (Photo by David A. Fletcher. Walker Transportation Collection) FEATURED VEHICLESAirplanes | Boston's PCC | N.E. Buses | N.E. Diners | N.E. Fire Engines | N.E. Police Cars | N.E. Rails | Ships and Boats | Steam Rollers | White Trucks | Cars |
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