tomsheehy Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 Once I saw a color photo of a few cars in this fleet, I just had to replicate one. In my stash I had the perfect candidate, a Bandit Resins 58 Chevy Biscayne sedan. Changing the trim to the lower Delray model was very simple. I used both the AMT and newer tool Revell 58 Impala kits as donors. Most of the parts came from the AMT, but I used the engine/drivetrain/rear end out of the Revell, along with some trim pieces like door handles, mirrors, etc. The cars of Ann Arbor PD, starting in 58, were a combination of gold, white and dark blue, most likely as a tribute to the hometown University of Michigan colors. They maintained this color scheme up to the early 70s with only a few differences on paint breaks, etc. The cars were two-door sedans up to at least 64. Assuming they used the Chevy gold for 58, I used Testors Pure Gold as a close match to Anniversary gold of that year. The white and dark blue are Tamiya colors. I snatched a hood "shark fin" from a diecast Michigan State Police car and changed the lettering from State to local PD use, as per the prototypes. The rest of the police goodies are from my parts box. The door decals were custom made for me. The result is a unique addition to my police car collection.
afx Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 Very nice Tom. Police cars have always fascinated me but I have never tried to build one. Did the "shark fin" light up or exactly what was its function on the 1:1 car?
tomsheehy Posted February 5, 2016 Author Posted February 5, 2016 The sign on the hood, known as a shark fin, has been used by the Michigan State Police since about 1951. It does light up, the bulbs are inside the mounting tubes that illuminate the clear panel, making the lettering visible. They were used as an indicator to "pull over" as the Trooper rode up alongside the motorist. To this day, the MSP still uses this sign, mostly for tradition. Many local PDs in Michigan adopted it, but I don't think anyone else is still using it.
Harry P. Posted February 5, 2016 Posted February 5, 2016 Very unusual color scheme for a police car! I don't think I've ever seen a gold one! Very nice model, great attention to detail.
1930fordpickup Posted February 5, 2016 Posted February 5, 2016 This looks great. Just need to put a couple buckeye players in the back in some cuffs.
topher5150 Posted February 5, 2016 Posted February 5, 2016 Very unusual color scheme for a police car! I don't think I've ever seen a gold one! Very nice model, great attention to detail. especially for a Michigan state trooper, I always thought they were all blue.
louie Posted February 5, 2016 Posted February 5, 2016 Wow, very nice. Love the colors, very different for a police car. Just beautiful work on this one. Thanks. Jeff
bbowser Posted February 5, 2016 Posted February 5, 2016 This looks great. Just need to put a couple buckeye players in the back in some cuffs. Or Woody Hayes! I really like this, always like seeing the lower trim models being replicated.
Crusader101 Posted February 6, 2016 Posted February 6, 2016 To this day, the MSP still uses this sign, mostly for tradition.Very true, also the bubblegum roof flasher is still used.Beautiful build, very authentic...looks great!
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