MGA MGA Police Car

[Steve]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by tony barnhill:
Didn't they also use MG1100's?<hr></blockquote>

They used the BMC (Austin/Morris) 1100s as Unit Beat cars (also known as the "Panda" car because of the colour scheme). It is not likely that they used an MG version because of the increased cost and luxury features, but not impossible. Some forces used the Morris Minor 1000, but mine used the Austins because Longbridge was (is) in the force area. Ford Anglias and later Escorts were popular (pun intended), but not in the West Midlands, and Bedfordshire, which covered Luton, used Vauxhalls.

[ 01-15-2004: Message edited by: Steve ]</p>

 

[aeronca65t]

I love this thing.

For more info (and to see an MGB, MGBGT and MGC police car), go here:


https://austinrover.mg-rover.org/index.htm?policemgf.htm

 

[Steve]

They later used MGBs in some British police forces (not all of them) too. An interesting policy was that the officers were not allowed to erect the roof, no matter how bad the weather, so that they may "remain visible to the public" at all times. In fact, the roof was not even carried in an open car.

 

[tony barnhill]

Didn't they also use MG1100's?

 

[jimd]

Just to mention...the second car in the photo gallery (the black 63 mgb) looks almost exactly like the one that I just bought (a black (formerly green) 69 mgb). The only differences that I see are that mine has 3 wipers and wire wheels.

Jim Delaney
Sparta, NJ

 

[William]

Interestingly, Sunbeam Alpines and Tigers used by the police force only came with hardtops!
-Wm.

 

[Steve]

Oh yes, and Hillman Imps were used too. Minis were seen occasionally, and Merseyside had several Mini Cooper S's, painted white with a black roof.

 

[Steve]

Oh yes, and Hillman Imps were used too. Minis were seen occasionally, and Merseyside had several Mini Cooper S's, painted white with a black roof.

 

[Andy Blackley]

Also the Jaguar MkII Sedan was used by many British police forces. What better car to pursue the favorite "getaway" motor.

 

[Geo Hahn]

Yes, versatile cars these.

Now for something completely different... https://stuntdriver.com/countess67.jpg

And later... https://stuntdriver.com/countess66.jpg

 

[thegoodbeamer]

London Police used a tiger for fast pursit.They also entered in some rallies back then.I do remember seeing some stuff on this but alas it was some time ago.I can't recall how they performed but I do remember that one of the constables won something with the Tiger.
Yes they were equipped with the hard top to make it an all season car.

And its sunny after we got a bit of snow.Only 5 inches yesterday

 

[Bruce74B]

I met a man a few months ago who told me a story of his early days as a cop near London. Seems that the Jags and MG's were out running the local speed traps in his town and they bought a used Tiger from the London Police to put a stop to that. He claimed to have driven the Tiger for 2 months and caught 19 out of 20 "runners"...and the 20th one got away when he totaled the Tiger "just as he was catching up to a new MGB" and he had hated MGBs ever since!

I didn't know whether to believe the story or not then...I wish I had gotten his name now.

Bruce