Neums' 1986 Chicago PD project

[P72Ford]

Really, really nice work with this car.

Need some tire shine for the show, though. The rest of the car looks brand new, and the tires should too!

I love the way the car is coming out, though.

[CheeseSteakJim]

Which dog dishes are the ones I sold you?

[87gtVIC]

Looking good...but missing the bumper fillers I saw you already had painted.

[Leafsrule16]

Is it illegal to do a car up like this in any way? Also, whats the concept behind rigging up cars to look like a cop car .. for fun or because its something you like or what? Bit confused on that one

[91grandmarquis]

Is it illegal to do a car up like this in any way? Also, whats the concept behind rigging up cars to look like a cop car .. for fun or because its something you like or what? Bit confused on that one

Most people do it because they enjoy the pd cars, and want a piece of history.... a lot of them have had members in the police force and what not. It is not illegal as long as you dont use the lights and you aren't actively impersonating a cop, usually not an issue with an older car. I know a guy who owns a Firetruck because he likes the antiques and used to be a captain on the local FD. Its just an interest thing..... I admire the way these collectors insist upon everything being 100% original, it is real dedication.

Also civilians can't get government plates... so officials know it isn't a real cop.

[neums]

It is legal for me to drive my car, but not as you see it in the pictures. The red "POLICE" letters are magnets that I remove when I am on the way to a show or parade. I also remove the blue domes off the lightbar and replace them with some that are painted black. The siren is made inoperable by removing a fuse. I don't have to, but I also put "NOT IN SERVICE" signs in my back door windows just so there is no confusion. These cars are a lot of fun to drive and own. We do many shows and parades around the country and even get to race them at the Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show. Several years ago, I was even part of an escort with my old 1990 Cook County, Illinois LTD to the White House & Capital Building in DC.

[Leafsrule16]

Thats pretty cool then, good work. A friend of mine owns a retired cop car and it sure is fun driving around scaring people, but i was just curious if this was legal or what.

[neums]

A couple of pictures from an event in Chicago yesterday. I was part of an escort for a fundraiser for families of Chicago police officers killed on duty. We had 9 restored Chicago cars and a few county & suburban department cars.

My 1986 next to a 1974 Chevy. 1974 Dodge Chicago Fire Department car behind the Chevy. That is the Chicago Museum of Science & Industry behind us.


Driving down Lake Shore Drive in some fog coming off Lake Michigan.

[1987cp]

Ah yes, the license plate strapped to the front grille ... that brings back some memories of Chicago traffic.

How did you get away with having no front plate on your car? My mom had a cop at an IL courthouse heckle her once about no front plate, and her car was registered in Indiana!

Edit: Never mind, forgot '81-'87 had the plate bracket way out on the end of the bumper.


How are your seats coming? I'd think recovering seats for which no premade replacement covers exist would be pricey.

[neums]

In the '70s, Chicago PD would mount the license plates to the grille on the Dodge Monacos and Chevy Bellairs. The front bumpers were kind of low on those cars and the plates were getting mangled and knocked off from the officers hitting curbs. The seats will probably be a winter project unless I find some in good condition. I have some people searching for me.

[neums]

Left to right: My buddy Chris' 1990 Chevy Caprice, 1974 Dodge Monaco, my 1986 Ford, 1971 Dodge Polara. Running red lights and taking up all 4 lanes of Lake Shore Drive.

[Piece-it pete]

This thread is giving me flashback nightmares from my entire life!

Super cool really.

Pete

[watchdog]

I can hear the theme from Hill Street Blues already.

Looking good Neums. See you at CVES.

[neums]

I got my restored aluminum pieces back from "The Finishing Touch, Inc." in Chicago last week. They did a great job. I had them do some of the window trim that isn't available NOS and both rocker moldings. I spent Sunday afternoon putting parts back on the car. I also picked up a nice windshield and back window in a wrecking yard Friday morning (ones on the car both had rock chip damage). They will go in this Thursday. The car should look good for the Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show this Saturday.

[Brown_Muscle]

very nice! that must have been expensive! I was wondering, did you have the front and rear bumpers re-chromed? or is it original? and also where did you find the door stick on guard that runs on the side of the car?