Hi All... First post here. I have a 1931 Model A that was used as a Police Car in Georgia way back when. I am restoring it and I need Pictures or information on what was used on the car (like a star on the doors, etc) way back then. I have tried to get info but to no avail from Atlanta Police. All I know is Georgia Patrol wasn't founded until 1937. I Live in O.C. CA and I was even going to use their Sheriff emblem here, but they claim they had nothing on cars until 1958. My Model A is similar to the police car rammed in the Bonnie and Clyde Movie getaway scene - but that is Texas / Missouri area in the Movie, and might not even be a "real" look. Any suggestions on what to do or how to find out that stuff for my car? I have posted a picture of my Model A in my Photo Album... Thanks
Model A police car pictures needed
- Thread starter LPrevolt
- Start date
Brian SATX
Well-known member
Was it used as a police or sheriff car. Do you know what agency? If so, contact them.
modela@aol.com
Well-known member
WTSHNN
Well-known member
What body style?
In the Model A era most police cars were not fancy paint schemes with graphics and emblems. While a lot of people today paint them in two-tone saddle shoe schemes those just weren't the regular style for cash strapped departments during the depression. Hand painted lettering with the department name and maybe a car number was about all you got.
-Tim
Chicago, these phaetons were either painted yellow or orange, depending on the source.
NYC
This is probably the most dramatic color scheme on a car of the era. New Mexico supposedly had copper colored cars but that doesn't come out in the pictures.
In the Model A era most police cars were not fancy paint schemes with graphics and emblems. While a lot of people today paint them in two-tone saddle shoe schemes those just weren't the regular style for cash strapped departments during the depression. Hand painted lettering with the department name and maybe a car number was about all you got.
-Tim
Chicago, these phaetons were either painted yellow or orange, depending on the source.
NYC
This is probably the most dramatic color scheme on a car of the era. New Mexico supposedly had copper colored cars but that doesn't come out in the pictures.
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WTSHNN
Well-known member
How do you know your car was originally a police car?
In '31 police departments could order the so call "police head" which was a high compression head. There was also an option for a low speed generator that would put out more power at idle to help power radio equipment. You should check to see if your car has either.
I see now that your picture didn't show up (looks like you cut off the "h" of "http".
You have a '31 Tudor.
Here's an example of one.
-Tim
In '31 police departments could order the so call "police head" which was a high compression head. There was also an option for a low speed generator that would put out more power at idle to help power radio equipment. You should check to see if your car has either.
I see now that your picture didn't show up (looks like you cut off the "h" of "http".
You have a '31 Tudor.
Here's an example of one.
-Tim
Its your car do what makes you happy and what you will enjoy. For me I think the black and white with the huge star is kinda kitchy. Like you have found in your research they just werent made that way back then. I do like some of the period photos that show a more subdued vehicle.
Researching this over the years (I once restored a 1947 Chevy as a patrol car) it seems to me that there really weren't any hard and fast rules to it. It varied from state to state and department to department. You would even see convertibles! The big thing, in my mind, would be keep it simple. They didn't have a lot of 'flash' to them. You referenced 'Bonnie & Clyde' in the Joplin shoot-out scene. That's probably a good example. Also there is a brief car chase in 'O Brother Where Art Thou'. Beyond this......it's your car and you need to make it in a way that makes you smile every time you see it! Good luck and post lots of pictures!
chrs1961815
Well-known member
If you know the department or general area, do some research and see if you can find some old photos from the historical society.
Hi, new to this response and posting... Thanks to All who helped so far...
My Car is similar to that Pictured, but with a Spotlight where many put signal lights on the Driver side... All I know is it was used by Georgia Patrol as late as 1976 because of a sticker on the windshield stating such... But that agency wasn't around until 1937 - so looking for anything in Atlanta (GA's Biggest city) from 1931 emblem for Police or Sheriff if there was such a thing on their Police cars, but I do really like your Picture you have on here... close to what I seek. Thanks
Very Cool Pictures, Thanks a ton.
I was hoping to find something that would give me a real feel (I love history and things "authentic" but finding little thus far... I have called Atlanta main archive library... waiting to see what they have. Seems the Jimmy Cagney Movies are more what I am looking for than what existed in reality back then for most police cars... LOL - Here is another attempt to put my picture on here... Thanks to ALL.
Thanks, I will heed your words if I can't find any authentic information from Atlanta Archives... Meanwhile here is another Picture I have of my Car from a side view. Thanks to All
mercman from oz
Well-known member
1929 Ford Model A Police Paddy Wagon - Chicago Police.
mercman from oz
Well-known member
1929 Ford Model A Police Paddy Wagon - Chicago Police.
mercman from oz
Well-known member
1930 Ford Model A Police Patrol Wagon - Chicago Police.
mercman from oz
Well-known member
1930 Ford Model A Police Patrol Van.
mercman from oz
Well-known member
Ford Model A Coupe Police Car - Penn College.
I really like this Police coup... It is in the style I think my Tudor should look like...
Ford Model A Coupe Police Car - Penn College.