Can I call it a "4-door Roadrunner?" lol

[Bird Man Of AZ]

I know. It's not an actual RR, but I feel like the genealogy makes this at least a cousin or a step-brother or something.

Meet my 1968 Plymouth Belvedere LAPD tribute w/ 383 and 727.




With its younger sister:

 

[Russ69Runner]

No it is a Belvedere not a runner.

 

[Petroleum1]

One Adam 12 !!

 

[Bird Man Of AZ]

No it is a Belvedere not a runner.

Of course I know that. I was obviously joking. However, agencies that used the Belvedere in the late 60's frequently nicknamed it a "4 door RR" since it was virtually identical in all of its specs and its barebones amenities. It's been said that the cop package Belvedere was the original inspiration for the Runner.

 

[Petroleum1]

I think the cop cars had a thicker drum and wider brake shoes.

 

[Bird Man Of AZ]

I think the cop cars had a thicker drum and wider brake shoes.

I'm pretty sure you're right. I know the cop version also had a heavy-duty alternator and a more robust suspension.

 

[Plybeep68]

Nice!!! Post some more pics please, did you fix-up the interior as they were back in the day?

 

[Plybeep68]

I've got a 69 Fury I plan on doing a tribute car for my department

 

[Bird Man Of AZ]

Nice!!! Post some more pics please, did you fix-up the interior as they were back in the day?

Yep, EXACTLY as they were back then.

 

[Bird Man Of AZ]

I've got a 69 Fury I plan on doing a tribute car for my department

That is so cool. A Washington County S.O. cruiser??

 

[Plybeep68]

Yes, for 1971, that's the 1st year the county actually bought patrol cars, prior to 1971 the deputies had to buy there own patrol car.

 

[Petroleum1]

Interesting spot for the shottie

 

[droptop]

Where did you find the rubber floor mat or is it an original?

 

[Bird Man Of AZ]

Yes, for 1971, that's the 1st year the county actually bought patrol cars, prior to 1971 the deputies had to buy there own patrol car.

You're kidding!! Deputies had to foot the bill for their own cop cars?? Did they have to pay for equipping it with all the gear as well? Holy shit!!

 

[Bird Man Of AZ]

Interesting spot for the shottie

Yep, that's where it's mounted. And for the patrol cars used for two-man units, there's a second shotgun mounted in the trunk. (Sorry for the crappy photo.)

 

[Bird Man Of AZ]

Where did you find the rubber floor mat or is it an original?

The floor mats were already there when I bought the car from the original owner. So, I'm not sure if they're OEM or not.

 

[Bird Man Of AZ]

Interesting spot for the shottie

By the way, the shotguns that LAPD used were Ithaca model 37 12 gauge. (Mine are Airsoft replicas of that shotgun in order to adhere to car show rules.)

 

[Plybeep68]

You're kidding!! Deputies had to foot the bill for their own cop cars?? Did they have to pay for equipping it with all the gear as well? Holy shit!!

The dept furnished uniforms, a holster, and a handgun( .38 special revolver). They were given a gasoline allowance monthly. If the deputies had any equipment on there cars most of the time they purchased it themselves. Usually just a single beacon on the roof or a spotlight with a colored bulb.

 

[Bird Man Of AZ]

The dept furnished uniforms, a holster, and a handgun( .38 special revolver). They were given a gasoline allowance monthly. If the deputies had any equipment on there cars most of the time they purchased it themselves. Usually just a single beacon on the roof or a spotlight with a colored bulb.

That's still unbelievable. Quite an investment for a new-hire recruit.

But then again, up until the mid-seventies the United States Marshal Service required their Deputy Marshals to use their personal vehicles for day-to-day activities including subpoena/warrant service and even prisoner transport. Since they didn't perform typical LE duties (i.e., patrol, traffic, radio calls) at least they didn't have to equip their cars with conventional police car gear.

 

[MoparDan]

I know. It's not an actual RR, but I feel like the genealogy makes this at least a cousin or a step-brother or something.

Meet my 1968 Plymouth Belvedere LAPD tribute w/ 383 and 727.

View attachment 36559


With its younger sister:

View attachment 36561

Why not? In these times you can call anything whatever you want.