Chuck Most Posted March 12, 2016 Posted March 12, 2016 I started this a couple of years ago and wrapped it up just a few minutes ago. Looking at the pics I see I'll need to to a few touch ups here and there... don't you just love digital cameras? The decals are from E&K, the push bar is a modified kit piece, and the gumball is a modified unit from Policecarmodels.com. It looks to be pretty close in size to a Unity Spitfire, but the lens is tapered and not cylindrical. The search continues. The door seals might be too new for a '91 (but I've seen a '93 with this style door seal), but I've chosen not to let that bother me. Paint is DupliColor Pontiac Engine blue- for many years the Motor Carrier vehicles were the only MSP vehicles to deviate from the traditional royal blue.
tomsheehy Posted March 13, 2016 Posted March 13, 2016 That looks really good Chuck. You did a nice job trying to get that dome to look like the Unity.
The Modeling Hermit Posted March 13, 2016 Posted March 13, 2016 You did a nice job on it. I remember being on a trip years ago and a patrol car was pulling somebody over. It had a sign on the hood too, but it was lit and resembled a neon sign. That would have been in the mid to late 60s.
bbowser Posted March 13, 2016 Posted March 13, 2016 Really nice model. I'm surprised they still had the hood sign in the '90s?
Againmikewins Posted March 14, 2016 Posted March 14, 2016 (edited) It looks great! I'm a bit confused by the coloring though. I've lived in Michigan my whole life and only remember the darker blue livery. Edit- A little research and I found it. Very cool looking! Edited March 14, 2016 by Againmikewins
Againmikewins Posted March 14, 2016 Posted March 14, 2016 Where did you find the stop sign on the hood?
Agent G Posted March 14, 2016 Posted March 14, 2016 Very nice!That old kit still holds it's own when you do your part.Good job sir.G
Chuck Most Posted March 14, 2016 Author Posted March 14, 2016 Where did you find the stop sign on the hood?The graphics are from the decal sheet- the rest was made from plastic strip and .010" clear plastic sheet.
fairlane1320 Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 The hood sign has been in use for a long time. It was originally designed and built at General Parts & Service in Lansing. My dad worked in the shop there for about 30 years, I worked the parts counter there for 3-4 years. It's cool they are still using it!
Harry P. Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 I'm confused. What is the purpose of that sign on the hood? I see it says "STOP," but how is it supposed to work, being mounted lengthwise on the car?
Danno Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 (edited) It is a "hailer" (official name) or "pull down" (slang) lighted sign. Decades ago when it was developed, it was a common (but extremely dangerous now) procedure for a law enforcement officer to pull alongside an offender and signal the offender to pull over and stop. Often done with a hand signal (pointing to the curb), somebody got the idea to create this light-up sign to "hail" motorists to stop for nighttime traffic stops. Hand signals don't work well in the dark.As the law enforcement vehicle pulled up alongside the offender's vehicle, the officer positioned the front clip of the police vehicle alongside the offender's driver's door, then switched on the "stop" light on the hood. It would be directly in the offender's line of sight while not exposing the officer to any more hazard than necessary. As the offender slowed, the officer slowed and fell in behind the offender, having gotten his/her attention and having conveyed the 'pull over and stop' message via the "hailer" light. Michigan has kept the device as a nod to tradition even as the officer-hazard danger has made stops of that nature too risky. Edited March 17, 2016 by Danno
Harry P. Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 Oh, ok. I get it now. Yeah, I don't remember a cop ever stopping me by pulling alongside. They must have stopped doing it that way years ago. But geez... you'd think the flashing red (or blue) lights in your rear-view mirror would be enough of a hint that the cop wants you to pull over!
Danno Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 Oh, yeah. A practice abandoned a lonnnnnnng time ago. A generation or so before my LEO career began. Back when Agent G was a Road Guard.
Agent G Posted March 18, 2016 Posted March 18, 2016 This is how we did it back in my day. Didn't need none of that fancy lighted Tomfoolery. G
av405 Posted March 18, 2016 Posted March 18, 2016 I should have tried your method at EVOC a few days ago Agent G. I'm sure it would have gone over well.
Danno Posted March 18, 2016 Posted March 18, 2016 This is how we did it back in my day. Didn't need none of that fancy lighted Tomfoolery. G What I sed.
jefropas Posted March 18, 2016 Posted March 18, 2016 Looks great! Gotta throw some rust on the pushbumpers though...they were always bad on the Caprices.... Jeff
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