1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

So I was contacted a few days ago with a different kind of request ;)

A California Police Officer wanted transport of a Oklahoma Police Car
that his relative used when he was an officer back in the 1940's.

It was located in Wetumka, Oklahoma off a paved road a distance
down a rutted dirt track in a barn.


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1594086309


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1594086362



We drove out in his truck to have a look - we figured out a plan
to tow the Ford out to the road - but his truck overheated -
so we had to wait for another truck to come.

It arrived & George hooked up a chain ... ;)


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1594086516



Jim

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

There was a big old mud hole to navigate thru but the old beater
Ford truck that came to our rescue made it thru towing the 1946 :D


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1594086758


We got the Ford out to the main road where I found just enough room to load


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1594086847



https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1594086897



Jim

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

Pretty straight old car there, but just to be sure, you NEVER want to hook a chain or strap around the CENTER area of that front axle. Wrap it around the juncture of the wishbone and the axle. Jerking or putting a strain on the center area of an I-beam can easily bend the axle big time. DD


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1594086516

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

Cool story, but it doesn't look like a police car.; one color, no "gumball machine", or anything else. Did someone try to take it back to stock during the interim?

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

I offered a nylon tow strap but George declined.

He made the call on how to pull it out to the road.

I suggested getting a rollback to load up the Ford.

It was a black & white with a big gumball light on top.

Would have been cool if it was left that way but the retired
police officer had other plans - all the chrome is inside.



https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1594114219



https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1594114299



https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1594114360




Jim

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

Nylon strap, or chain.....that was not my point! I was merely stating that if you pull on the UN-REINFORCED center of the axle, it can easily be bowed forward or bent by pulling at the middle. If you attach the strap or chain where the wishbone intersects the axle, the wishbone reinforces the axle as it's rear end is solidly supported by the center radius rod ball attach point. Same thing goes with the cable on your winch to pull the car into the trailer. It's too easy to bow or bend those I-beam axles in the middle. DD

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

Very, VERY true!

Neat old $1500 car.

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

The Federal model 17 rotating beacons came out in the 1947 time frame with patent in 1948. A lot of police cars either had red lenses over the spot lights or a large red lens lamp with a siren up on the roof. There were various light applications utilized before the rotating beacons became widely used by fire trucks and law enforcement vehicles.

Some smaller departments may have just had two blinking red lights mounted on the bumper valance or fenders.

Here is a good link. http://www.lawenforcementservices.bi...26_Sirens.html

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

Loaded up and on it's way to Bakersfield, California ... :)



https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1594157596



https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1594157596



Jim

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

One poorly-executed 'tug' and you can end-up with a bent, bowed or kinked axle like the un-painted one seen below. DD


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...5&d=1587637527

Reality
 

I try to post a nice thread and this Sh^t happens ... :rolleyes:

If you have a parked car and attach a tow line to it - back up
and then peel out - you might bend a Ford I Beam axle
if the circumstances are just right ...

Or if you are recovering a car with a tow truck that went over a hill
you might bend the axle ...

I have been actually transporting cars since 2006
and I have never bent an axle.

This particular Ford is rust free underneath - I haven't even popped
the hood to look at what probably is the original engine.

It has original seats & an original interior.


I had to unload it yesterday to drop off a 1922 Model T Touring
that I was dropping off - so I crawled under neath and took a video
of the axle and an image of where my Mac axle strap was fastened.

No bend anywhere in the axle - front end is nice and tight.



https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1594314223



Jim

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

I wouldn't worry about a guy like you damaging anything; I think the comments were more intended as a caution for other folks that may not be as experienced as you.

I have met people who could break an anvil with a rubber hammer:eek:

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

It looks to me like that is exactly where he is hooking the chain. Take another look.

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

Funny as heck. I think we have run in some of the same circles.

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

Cautionary tales are always worth the mention. I'm sure no one was intending to question the OPs procedure. I use the J-hooks to pull stuff and especially the modern stuff. The old straight axle is a lot stronger than some of this modern junk but they will bend.

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

A 2 door police car? I guess it was a different time.

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

You can't name a model that hasn't been used in law enforcement.

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

And a lot of them. Coupes too.
Not all were used to transport criminals ya know.

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

Just curious, does it still have the S.W. "official police speedo."?

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

I saw a video someplace where the Chicago police had a little parade when they took delivery of a batch of new police cars in 1932. There were a couple of Phaetons, a bunch of sedans (both two and four door), a roadster or two, and to my surprise, even a 3-window coupe for the detectives.

Perhaps someone here knows where it is.

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

I couldn't find the one you speak of, but these '32 5-window coupes (4-cylinder) kind'a prove the point. Bad guys in the rumble seat.....Nah! DD


https://i2.wp.com/macsmotorcitygarag...00%2C400&ssl=1


And here's an interesting precursor to 'gumball' machines. DD


http://68.media.tumblr.com/2f506a499...9v1io1_400.jpg




………….

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

1946 police cars. I had to sneak into my old Photobucket file. Now they have me against the wall to pay monthly. I can steal my old pictures but tricky. So I guess I will pay up. Actually they are not police cars but veteran's cars. Hard to read the fine print
John

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

Thank you for the write up. This was my uncles car and he was thee Sheriff of Okemah Ok. Not sure if this was an enforcement vehicle or just a coffee shop hopper as he has passed on. I do know it is all original minus paint. it has 13k original miles.

Thank you [email protected] for a great experience. I would definitely recommend for all your transport needs.


looking for any help or comments on this thing.. Thank you

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

You are welcome 👋

I agree the odometer is representing original
mileage if it operates.

Interesting car that I hope you keep as
you found it 😉



Jim

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

This is a great bit of history with family ties. Doozer, I assume based on the OP you are in Law Enforcement. If true I admire and respect you. Please update us with progress.

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

Thank you, been a Sheriff in Ca. for 27 years. I will keep you posted as i mess with this thing.

Thanks again.

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

Thank you sir. Here's an interesting story. Hope this link works.
https://www.q13fox.com/washingtons-m...-police-museum

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

I'm not good with technology so I'll tell you that there is much more recent news on the WSP 49 Ford restoration. They have a Facebook page and I recently saw a report on the local news.

1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

Summer Bump


Jim

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

I see that was Doozer's last post above. Too bad he did not keep up to date on the story

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

I didn’t notice that post until you mentioned it.


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1752794566


I made a short video about this car
and posted it on my YouTube channel:

@ https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1752794566


Jim

Re: 1946 Ford Custom Deluxe Police Car From Cop To Cop
 

We have in Greeneville TN an authentic 1 955 Ford police car. I would take a pic of it but am leaving town Sat morn, not sure if I would have time, it is not on my doorstep, a dozen or so miles away.