Police roadster

D

Dave Mellor NJ

Well-known member
Hard to see wherefrom
 

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  • police roadster.jpg
    police roadster.jpg
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I really don't understand why cops bought Roadsters.

You would think they would get more bang for the buck from a standard Tudor. Its enclosed, roll up windows, warmer, and a back seat for????????????????????????
 
Cost the reason for buying roadsters. By 1930 the car was too slow, the high compression head wasn’t enough to save it… Retooling during a depression? Easy with a mountain of T profits..
 
Interesting that a police department would spend the extra money for a DeLuxe Roadster during the Great Depression instead of buying a cheaper Standard Roadster to make cost-conscious citizens happier. This is a 1930 Deluxe Roadster versus a 1931, identifiable by the full-length rear bumper (and plain radiator shell top panel). Other Deluxe Roadster features seen here were common to both years: chrome-plated windshield and wiper, short windshield posts, cowl lights, wood and chrome metal top irons, tan top material and more pleats in the front seat than in Standard Roadsters. I didn't mention a side mount because although that was standard equipment on 1930 Deluxe Roadsters, it was optional in 1931, as a rear-mounted wheel was standard for that year. I wonder if the standard Deluxe Roadster equipment rumbleseat was present or whether the more practical trunk came with this car?
Something else puzzles me: Why are the wheels black? Colored wheels were standard equipment for DeLuxe Roadsters. Maybe the Police chief wanted the car not to look TOO flashy, so he had the car outfitted with black wheels at the dealership? I have often wondered why Model A's always seem to look better in original era photos than in modern ones? The difference between using black & white film versus color film?
Marshall
 
I think it's a picture of a car that was restored in recent times to look like a police car.The car is way too shiny,and the picture is way too shiny too.I also can't picture a PD back then buying a DeLuxe anything.The sign on the side is also way too elaborate to have been hand painted on there back in those days.That one looks more like a sticker or a magnetic sign.Painted on police logos were far simpler than that.That one is a work of art,and today it would be reproduced in a matter of minutes.We didn't have a cruiser until 1974,all the guys were part time,and used their own cars.A couple would ID their cars with masking tape or magic marker on the doors.
 
I noticed that too.They didn't start coming into widespread use until about 38-41 or so.I've done some work for a solar installer,and there are just piles of historical information sent to them so study.Kind of fun to be working on a residential solar install,and being able to tell the customers a little bit of history about wiring,lamp sockets,switches,bulbs and fluorescent lamps.
 
Well, that would explain a lot of things! Still a great photo of a Deluxe Roadster, though. If it is a "modern" photo - as sharp eyes have detected - someone appears to have done a great restoration.
Marshall
 
Keith True said:
Look at the one in that museum.I'd be willing to bet that is the car in the picture.Nice.
Click to expand...

Yeah, looks like it is their "Otto the talking car". Here is a photo from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Facebook page:

467885970_10161911371947277_7914546478747199989_n.jpg


Note the Sportlite.

.....and a different picture of Otto:

otto02.jpg


...and here is the link to further information about that Roadster and why the police department
chose the Ford Model A Roadster (with no heat): https://www.mshp.dps.mo.gov/MSHPWeb/Root/schwiederFordArticle.html

....and a couple era photos of the original Police Roadsters:
mshp-5.jpg


mshp-4-9-14-31.jpg


Brad in Maryland




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