Just goes to show......

[SparkSVT]

sounds like this car is more trouble than its worth. Maybe you should sell it...... to me.


just kidding Paul.

[svopaul]

Originally Posted by SparkSVT

sounds like this car is more trouble than its worth. Maybe you should sell it...... to me.


just kidding Paul.

Nice try

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by SparkSVT

sounds like this car is more trouble than its worth. Maybe you should sell it...... to me.


just kidding Paul.

Now THAT's Funny.

Paul,

I thought you had the cover on, based on your comment in your first post in this thread and your previous posts about having one. Thanks for the clarification, though.

One thing you (and anyone else with restored/marked/semi-marked cars) might want to consider is the use of the "out of service" or "not in service" verbage. Both of those can be ambiguous...implying that the car is a "real" police car. I'd recommend "Show car" or something a little clearer to the general public. Although, in your case, it probably wouldn't have mattered, given the issue you described.

[svopaul]

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

Now THAT's Funny.

Paul,

I thought you had the cover on, based on your comment in your first post in this thread and your previous posts about having one. Thanks for the clarification, though.

One thing you (and anyone else with restored/marked/semi-marked cars) might want to consider is the use of the "out of service" or "not in service" verbage. Both of those can be ambiguous...implying that the car is a "real" police car. I'd recommend "Show car" or something a little clearer to the general public. Although, in your case, it probably wouldn't have mattered, given the issue you described.

Yes, normally I always use the cover....but my concern has been deterioration from the sun and foul weather use staining the "out of service" embroidery I had done on it which is why I wanted to get another made. I have no idea who originally made the one I have and it is very nice so I wanted to try to duplicate it...that way I didn't have to worry so much about wearing it out. I also had some trouble with the back of the snaps rubbing the lenses so I wanted to address that and have some padding put in to protect the lenses from rubbing at speed.

I had discussed the verbage issue long ago with a large number of LEO's around and all agreed "out of service" would be best because it was a genuine police car and "Show car" would give the impression to the general public that it was OK to just make a police car look-a-like. Likewise the impression to other LEO's would possible be that you built your own police car....at least with the out of service they understand that you restored an old police vehicle and that is why you have it. It is also common for police cars when serviced and driven by civilians to have the out of service verbage so there was already a precident set there for a civilian operating this type of vehicle which is another reason they recommended it. So that is why I chose the out of service verbage. Of course it might be an option to use both and read "Show Car-Out of Service"....that might be an even clearer message...??

[mac88chp]

In California, the preferred verbage for privately owned vehicles seems to be "Not In Service" with "Out Of Service" reserved for agency owned vehicles only...a subtle but important wording distinction.

Also, uncovered forward facing red lights and ANY exterior blue lighting are a huge no-no here...guaranteed to get immediate negative attention from LE. It's been very common for cars with blue undercarriage or wheel well lighting and even bicyclists using those red flashing LED lights forward to get a traffic stop.

[svopaul]

Originally Posted by mac88chp

In California, the preferred verbage for privately owned vehicles seems to be "Not In Service" with "Out Of Service" reserved for agency owned vehicles only...a subtle but important wording distinction.

Also, uncovered forward facing red lights and ANY exterior blue lighting are a huge no-no here...guaranteed to get immediate negative attention from LE. It's been very common for cars with blue undercarriage or wheel well lighting and even bicyclists using those red flashing LED lights forward to get a traffic stop.

That's a good idea....and I like the Not in service wording better. I can change the decals on the car easy enough but I've already embroidered the cover....I guess both versions wouldn't hurt....or maybe if this next cover doesn't kill me I'll just make a couple more with the different wording.

Any blue neon lights are highly illegal here as well....the law indicates that lit up blue lighting is not allowed under any circumstance but they can be on the car as long as not on.

[SparkSVT]

Originally Posted by mac88chp

It's been very common for .......................even bicyclists using those red flashing LED lights forward to get a traffic stop.

now thats taking it to a whole different level and being a total ass about it. Any cop doing this would have to be a total prick. I have one of those on my bicycle and its for safety so no one runs me over from behind. I have been driving on dark roads and myself seen cyclists with the flashing LEDs. With it flashing it is much more visable then if it was just burning steady red, and much safer...

[mac88chp]

Originally Posted by SparkSVT

now thats taking it to a whole different level and being a total ass about it. Any cop doing this would have to be a total prick. I have one of those on my bicycle and its for safety so no one runs me over from behind. I have been driving on dark roads and myself seen cyclists with the flashing LEDs. With it flashing it is much more visable then if it was just burning steady red, and much safer...

Chris, maybe my post wasn't clear about the red LEDs on bicycles...they are only a problem when the clueless bicyclist mounts or shows them FORWARD (just like police bicycles use...right?). You cannot emit any red light forward on any vehicle (including bicycles) in California unless it is on authorized emergency equipment and LE takes this section of the VC very, very seriously at every level.

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by svopaul

It is also common for police cars when serviced and driven by civilians to have the out of service verbage so there was already a precident set there for a civilian operating this type of vehicle which is another reason they recommended it. So that is why I chose the out of service verbage. Of course it might be an option to use both and read "Show Car-Out of Service"....that might be an even clearer message...??

My point exactly....actual police vehicles, meaning those currently used by law enforcement officials. The 'out of service" covers are manufactured for that reason.

To me, once the car leaves service, and is in civilian hands, it's better to be completely clear with whatever wording you use. I threw out the "show car" as an example. It doesn't give anyone the impression that they can make-up a police car, no more than you driving around your car with the lightbar exposed would, but people are going to do whatever they want to anyhow.

[svopaul]

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

My point exactly....actual police vehicles, meaning those currently used by law enforcement officials. The 'out of service" covers are manufactured for that reason.

To me, once the car leaves service, and is in civilian hands, it's better to be completely clear with whatever wording you use. I threw out the "show car" as an example. It doesn't give anyone the impression that they can make-up a police car, no more than you driving around your car with the lightbar exposed would, but people are going to do whatever they want to anyhow.

I agree with you.....but the show car idea has already surfaced. I had someone come to me and ask if they could just make a "show car" police replica out of any car...in this case it was a '76 Corvette that he wanted to paint up like a CHP and put a light bar on. He didn't know any better so I just told him "No, you can't do that....it must be an official retired vehicle"....the LAST thing we all need is a bunch of idiots running around with Toyota Supra or Cadillac Police cars for whatever reason they want to do it. Granted this is probably a small minority but we already know there are a lot of stupid people out there. As it is I already tell kids that ask me "I didn't know you could have a car like that" that you can't, you have to have a permit and register it with Police and that pretty much ends the conversation.

The other thing I have seen that bothers me is young kids becoming a volunteer firefighter just so they can put a red light up on their dash. I've seen a couple of them pulled over and ticketed here because they think it gives them the right to do 80mph in a 30 when they get a call.