Comm. No. CT7571O
This white TR4 was supplied new to Southend-on-sea County Borough Constabulary in May 1962. Superintendent Bill Burles allocated the car the task of ‘fast pursuit car’ a task which it performed very well according to officers that either drove the car or were observers at the time. The car was equipped with a Pye Radio, Winkworth bell, air horns, spot lamps, reversing lamp, windscreen mounted hand lamp, front and rear Police signs, rear stop sign and wing mirrors. All of which was fitted in the constabularies own workshops.
In 2009 an article in the Essex LAW magazine about the car resulted in a surprising number of responses from officers of the day. As a result we know quite a lot more of how the car was used. It went out on 2 shifts a day 9-5, 5-1am or 7-3am, 150 miles a day, 7 days a week, about 1000miles a week!
Originally the car had no seat belts and one officer told me that he hung onto the underside of the seat whilst in fast pursuit. Before too long the seat was wrenched from the floor so the workshops welded stout plates to the chassis and bolted the seats to these. Later, seat belts were fitted.
Officers invariably drove the car top-down and always wore their caps with chin straps in place. One winter with considerable snow and ice, the car was called upon to make an unusual journey. A call came in from the Southend Hospital to deliver an urgent drug from a London Hospital. There were no helicopters in those days so the TR4 was pressed into service to undertake the journey which was done in double quick time, much to the satisfaction of the hospital and patient in particular. A picture of the car was used on the front cover of ‘Advanced Driving Explained’ by Inspector W. H. Jobson price 1/6d.
Eventually of course the car was retired from the police force and passed into private hands. I first came across the car in the late 70’s when owned by my good friends Debbie and Ernie Cole. When the car had deteriorated to a somewhat dilapidated state, they decided to sell and I became the new owner in 2005. Since then the car has been completely stripped and rebuilt, not as a concourse car but to represent the car as closely as possible to a condition when used by the Southend-on-sea constabulary. Where special equipment was missing this had been purchased with the assistance of the Police Vehicle Enthusiasts Club.
The second photograph shows the car 99% complete shown at the TR Register International at Harrogate in July 2011. Beady-eyed observers will notice that the car is missing the long armed wing mirrors and the long areal, which is just visible behind the drivers right shoulder in the period shot above. If anyone can help me to find these parts I would be most grateful and as usual I can be contacted at neil@revingtontr.com
Updated 27th March 2013.
As you can guess, the story didn't end there. The parts were found and the car is now complete. 4100 HJ has already been the star of a couple of Motoring Magazine Features and what a star she makes. A quick look at this photo is all that is needed to see what start quality this car has. Neil has made a superb job of this restoration project and I'm sure it will been seen on the show circuit for sometime to come.
For more information on this car or any other RevingtonTR product please call
+44(0)1823 698437
e mail info@revingtontr.com
In 2009 an article in the Essex LAW magazine about the car resulted in a surprising number of responses from officers of the day. As a result we know quite a lot more of how the car was used. It went out on 2 shifts a day 9-5, 5-1am or 7-3am, 150 miles a day, 7 days a week, about 1000miles a week!
Originally the car had no seat belts and one officer told me that he hung onto the underside of the seat whilst in fast pursuit. Before too long the seat was wrenched from the floor so the workshops welded stout plates to the chassis and bolted the seats to these. Later, seat belts were fitted.
Officers invariably drove the car top-down and always wore their caps with chin straps in place. One winter with considerable snow and ice, the car was called upon to make an unusual journey. A call came in from the Southend Hospital to deliver an urgent drug from a London Hospital. There were no helicopters in those days so the TR4 was pressed into service to undertake the journey which was done in double quick time, much to the satisfaction of the hospital and patient in particular. A picture of the car was used on the front cover of ‘Advanced Driving Explained’ by Inspector W. H. Jobson price 1/6d.
Eventually of course the car was retired from the police force and passed into private hands. I first came across the car in the late 70’s when owned by my good friends Debbie and Ernie Cole. When the car had deteriorated to a somewhat dilapidated state, they decided to sell and I became the new owner in 2005. Since then the car has been completely stripped and rebuilt, not as a concourse car but to represent the car as closely as possible to a condition when used by the Southend-on-sea constabulary. Where special equipment was missing this had been purchased with the assistance of the Police Vehicle Enthusiasts Club.
Updated 27th March 2013.
As you can guess, the story didn't end there. The parts were found and the car is now complete. 4100 HJ has already been the star of a couple of Motoring Magazine Features and what a star she makes. A quick look at this photo is all that is needed to see what start quality this car has. Neil has made a superb job of this restoration project and I'm sure it will been seen on the show circuit for sometime to come.
 |
| The finished product |
+44(0)1823 698437
e mail info@revingtontr.com
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThat's really neat!
ReplyDeleteHey, my uncle is a fan of that car! I am going to recommend this post to him.
ReplyDeleteThat's great to hear. There is a model available of this car. Click on the link.
Deletehttp://www.revingtontr.com/shop/product_display.asp?mscssid=NLK2RJRHV9S79H0NN5V7K225TVNK1LN5&ProductID=VA11503
Followed the car down the M5 this week, being driven very properly and respectfully, great to see it in the metal and in action. It looked superb. Following the sighting was prompted to search for it on the internet and hence to this site. Excellent job - well done.
ReplyDelete