Some Cop Cars on the Bench

[Terry Jessee]

I have too many projects in the works. Here's a few. I need to stay focused on something, but jumping around is fun, too.

This is a Modelhaus 1962 Chrysler Newport. It's been modified in a number of small ways to build a California Highway Patrol '62 Newport Enforcer. CHP did drive those for '62 after Chrysler downsized the Dodges and Plymouths. Dodge came back with a big Polara the next year (essentially a Chrysler with a Dodge nose) to meet CHP specs. There is one CHP '62 Newport that has been restored, and this is a model of that car.

Here's what I started with. You can see that I had to remove the side trim and some other details to get the "plain Jane" Enforcer version. It was actually more work than you'd think.

Revell 1994 Chevy Impala SS. The trunk has been filled in with superglue and microballoons (a filler used by RC airplane builders), and the rearmost side window has been reshaped to the Caprice spec.

This will be a Los Angeles Sheriff's Department 1993 Caprice. It'll use the body, chassis, and engine from the Impala, but the interior from the Caprice. The updated wheel covers are from the Modelhaus.

This is a Promolite 1961 Plymouth Savoy sedan (Tom has just repopped these. They were discontinued, but he has created new molds so you can get them again.) It became:

The faux NYPD cruiser from "Car 54, Where Are You?" That was an early '60s TV series with Fred Gwynne (who later became Herman Munster) and Joe E.Ross. Since the show was filmed in black and white, the producers had the film cars painted red and white so people wouldn't think they were real NYPD cars. Decals were custom made by a friend.

And yeah, that Diplomat is another project. It's the Motormax diecast. I got a prepainted white one, and will do that as an '80s Montana Highway Patrol cruiser. The Smith & Wesson light bar is a resin piece I got from I-don't-remember-where. (Wish I did.)

Terry

[Erik Smith]

I like those. That promolite body looks nice.

[Dr. Cranky]

Nice, Terry, keep 'em coming. And BTW, I love the astronauts in the background.

I agree that it's fun to have several projects underway and to jump around.

[bbowser]

Love your emergency vehicles Terry. Great to see all those on the bench!

[Wheels]

Very cool Terry!!

[Plasticfanatic]

They look great right now, they all will be superb when finished, please keep us posted.

[wraith]

very cool!

I have that same white diplomat that's in your background. I have been looking for period correct decals to do a South Dakota Highway Patrol car but I can't find any old pics of Diplomats. My search continues.....

Keep up the great work!

[hvymtl]

Thanks for those pics i always enjoy your law enforcement cars, along with your other work in the magazines.

Michael

[Brizio]

Very nice projects and work you are doing. Better those cop cars on the bench, than on the road...

[charlie8575]

Interesting about the Car 54 car. Nice work on all of it, Terry, as it always is.

Charlie Larkin

[chrismooney]

Terry great work!!! as a kid i always looked up to you and your builds. (still do)! I also was told the car 54 was painted red because on the black and white TV red showed up as the perfect shade of black.... I dont know if its true but also a good story...