As many of you are aware, I have been gingerly getting into the re-build
of my S-Type. The car has a history of starting out as a Metropolitan
Police car. One of the questions I have been curious to find out is whether
this car had the “Mickey Mouse” lights on the roof of the car as was so
common of the era. After a little paint removal to the top of the roof and
the removal of the headliner, I think I can say with all due assurance that
the car never had roof penetrations for search lights OR for a bubble gum
light either for that matter. I also have not discovered a cable of wires
leading to the roof line. More research is needed to discover exactly what
role this car played in the service. Anyone with contacts along these lines
who could help, it would be greatly appreciated.
As one moves through re-builds, one always finds surprises. I have been
pretty sure of the history of this car ---- until now. It was ordered as
a Police car and shipped in October of 1967. It was in the Police service
until 1970-71 when it was auctioned off. It remained in the UK for a few
years until it was brought to Florida where it remained with 3 previous
owners (or so I thought) until I purchased it and brought it to North
Carolina.
Here is the surprise!! I removed the rear windscreen this afternoon
and then the parcel shelf under the glass. To my surprise, I discovered the
mummified bodies of two white scorpions!!! Needless to say, scorpions are
NOT native to the UK, Florida or North Carolina. So I have a new set of
obvious questions as well as a new mystery.
Just when you think you have it figured out!!
Clark
'67 S-Type
'67 420
'88 XJ40
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In reply to a message from Cwestneat sent Wed 26 Oct 2005:
Beware of the evil eye. Quick, go burn a candle and say your
prayers.
P.–
Peter J. Smith, 1966 3.8S, 67 MGB
carson city nevada, United States
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In reply to a message from Cwestneat sent Wed 26 Oct 2005:
Clark,
I feel I must correct you on two very important points:
What you were looking for on your roof were traces of a
‘‘gum-ball machine’’, not a ‘‘bubble gum light’’.
White scorpions abound in Florida. Last year alone, I had
to save 3 of them from certain death in my (dry) bath tub.
I thought Jags were only used by the CID in those days (see
Inspector Morse reruns) and that the constablery used
Cortinas. Am I wrong again?
Jacques–
The original message included these comments:
the car never had roof penetrations for search lights OR for a bubble gum
light either for that matter. I also have not discovered a cable of wires
Here is the surprise!! I removed the rear windscreen this afternoon
and then the parcel shelf under the glass. To my surprise, I discovered the
mummified bodies of two white scorpions!!! Needless to say, scorpions are
NOT native to the UK, Florida or North Carolina. So I have a new set of
obvious questions as well as a new mystery.
Clark,
Having spent enough time in Florida scorpions are are lot more common
than you think as are alot of other things that might take a snap out of
you.
Here is the surprise!! I removed the rear windscreen this afternoon
and then the parcel shelf under the glass. To my surprise, I discovered
the
mummified bodies of two white scorpions!!! Needless to say, scorpions are
NOT native to the UK, Florida or North Carolina. So I have a new set of
obvious questions as well as a new mystery.
Clark! you say:
Needless to say, scorpions are
NOT native to the UK, Florida or North Carolina. So I have a new set of
obvious questions as well as a new mystery.
There are plenty of scorpions in Florida!
NielsK
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One lives and learns!! I lived in Florida for 18 months and of all the
critters I was told to look out for – scorpions were not on the list.
Another reason not to go back and live in Florida!! I never knew they were
indigenous to the region.
CID? I don’t know the initials. The Metro police used the S-Types in two
model years - '67 and '68. The twin to mine in the UK has a blue light
bolted through the roof. Others that I have “official” photos of show the
large “Micky” lights. There were two style cars - the white traffic cars
and the black “area” cars. Some were “unmarked” cars. I am starting to
believe mine is the latter.
Cheers
Clark
'67 S-Type
'67 420
'88 XJ40
In reply to a message from Cwestneat sent Wed 26 Oct 2005:
Clark,
I feel I must correct you on two very important points:
What you were looking for on your roof were traces of a
‘‘gum-ball machine’’, not a ‘‘bubble gum light’’.
White scorpions abound in Florida. Last year alone, I had
to save 3 of them from certain death in my (dry) bath tub.
I thought Jags were only used by the CID in those days (see
Inspector Morse reruns) and that the constablery used
Cortinas. Am I wrong again?
Jacques
The original message included these comments:
the car never had roof penetrations for search lights OR for a bubble
gum
light either for that matter. I also have not discovered a cable of
wires
Here is the surprise!! I removed the rear windscreen this
afternoon
and then the parcel shelf under the glass. To my surprise, I discovered
the
mummified bodies of two white scorpions!!! Needless to say, scorpions
are
NOT native to the UK, Florida or North Carolina. So I have a new set of
obvious questions as well as a new mystery.
–
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In reply to a message from Cwestneat sent Wed 26 Oct 2005:
I thought Jags were only used by the CID in those days (see
Inspector Morse reruns) and that the constablery used
Cortinas. Am I wrong again?
Morse is set in the '90s, I believe - the car in question is his own
(private) vehicle, for which he no doubt would receive a totally inadequate
mileage allowance. The more time-relevant Heartbeat confirms my memories of
police minis, cortinas and morris minors.–
Alan Brand
“Grace”, 1967 Jaguar 420, P1F25909BW
Owen Sound, ON Canada
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, I think I can say with all due assurance that
the car never had roof penetrations for search lights OR for a bubble gum
light either for that matter. I also have not discovered a cable of wires
leading to the roof line. More research is needed to discover exactly
what
role this car played in the service.
There may be other things remaining on the car that might give clues to its
use.
There may be marks on the dash or thereabouts that indicate where a radio
transmitter or microphone was mounted.
There may be marks or drilled holes on the front of the car where a small
sign saying “police” may have been mounted.
I recall an incident in the early 60’s when I was leaving Leeds in the
midlands of England and was followed by an MGB for a while. Our speeds
increased till we were almost racing. . . .when the car eventually passed me
there was a very small sign (about 6 - 8" wide) on the front saying
“Police”. There was absolutely no other lights, signs or whatever on the
car.
Like the other Listers have mentioned, your car may have been used by the
CID (Criminal Investigation Department of the police) or could have been
what was called a “Q” car. “Q” cars were totally unmarked cars such as
jaguars and were used, amongst other things, to capture the unwary motorist
when speeding or racing! I’ve no idea what the “Q” stood for.
regards,
Dave Symington
Fernie BC
1966 S Type 3.8 MOD
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The British used Q ships in W.W.I to trap submarines, the ships having
hidden guns & flying under false colours. Hence the entrapment analogy of Q cars
Still begs the question of why they chose Q at that time! Bet some well read
lister knows
Alan L
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The British used Q ships in W.W.I to trap submarines, the ships having
hidden guns & flying under false colours. Hence the entrapment analogy of
Q cars
Still begs the question of why they chose Q at that time! Bet some well read
lister knows
My understanding is that the Q is because many of these ships were based at
the British naval base at Queenstown, in Ireland.
Not that I’m well-read, but that’s what I heard from my ex-RN uncle, many
years ago.–
Alan Brand
“Grace”, 1967 Jaguar 420, P1F25909BW
Owen Sound, ON Canada
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Dave,
Interesting stuff.
It is hard to tell if there was a sign mounted to the front grill and indeed
it is difficult to tell if it is the original grill. The glovebox has a
series of holes in it where the PO decided to make this a “real” S-Type by
mounting a glovebox lid and other items. Fortunately, he never got around
to changing out the speedo panel or the original glovebox panel.
I found a terminal block/relay system in the boot that I have yet to
investigate. It may be original as it has a dozen wires connected to it and
the Lucas label molded into the top. It is on my list to get to in time. I
found nothing like this in the 420 when I did a re-build on it. Right now
I am stripping the big items out to see exactly with what I am dealing.
Pulled one petrol tank and drain petrol that is about the color of grape
juice. Pulled the other tank today and discovered it has about a 6 US
gallon capacity because of a dent in it. Also discovered that a PO replaced
the outer mufflers with “Cherry Bombs”
The car DOES have an AM – CB type antenna mounted on the rear of the car
with a hole drilled through into the boot. This was a typical location from
all the photos I have seen and definitely NOT in the usual position in the
front wing. I don’t believe this is the original antenna, however – only
the original location.
I know from the SUU registration mark that this car was stationed somewhere
in London. UK Motor vehicles has few records going back that far and none
on this car. (Cost me 5 pounds to find that out!!) The Metropolitan Police
have very few records of their motor vehicles available either. I figure,
eventually, I will have a stroke of luck and run into someone who recognizes
the mark or the vehicle. All of the Bobbies had to be specially trained to
operate the cars and there MUST be a photo someplace of this car in service.
It is only a matter of time!!
Clark
'67 S-Type
'67 420
'88 XJ40
Hi Clark!
You had mentioned:
, I think I can say with all due assurance that
the car never had roof penetrations for search lights OR for a bubble
gum
light either for that matter. I also have not discovered a cable of
wires
leading to the roof line. More research is needed to discover exactly
what
role this car played in the service.
There may be other things remaining on the car that might give clues to
its
use.
There may be marks on the dash or thereabouts that indicate where a radio
transmitter or microphone was mounted.
There may be marks or drilled holes on the front of the car where a small
sign saying “police” may have been mounted.
I recall an incident in the early 60’s when I was leaving Leeds in the
midlands of England and was followed by an MGB for a while. Our speeds
increased till we were almost racing. . . .when the car eventually passed
me
there was a very small sign (about 6 - 8" wide) on the front saying
“Police”. There was absolutely no other lights, signs or whatever on the
car.
Like the other Listers have mentioned, your car may have been used by the
CID (Criminal Investigation Department of the police) or could have been
what was called a “Q” car. “Q” cars were totally unmarked cars such as
jaguars and were used, amongst other things, to capture the unwary
motorist
when speeding or racing! I’ve no idea what the “Q” stood for.
regards,
Dave Symington
Fernie BC
1966 S Type 3.8 MOD
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