Encylopedia of American Police Cars (Crestline Series)

By Edwin J. Sanow

Features cars built for United States law enforcement agencies, from the 1930s to today. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0760304491
• ISBN13: 9780760304495
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Motorbooks Intl
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 2.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.5" x 1.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Great Ilustrated History of Police Cars

I really enjoyed this book! I had no idea just how much our police cars have evolved over the decades. The book is well-researched and very informative. It starts at the dawn of the twentieth century when what we know today as "police cars" were in thier infancy. Its pretty comical to see how a Model T could be modified as a police vehicle! From there, we move into the 1920s and 30s when Ford developed the first standard "police package" vehicles - specially engineered cars that could handle the rough-and-tumble aspects of police work. This book chronicles the development of police cars until the end of the 1990s. The reader sees what makes, models, and upgrades (not to mention drawbacks) were prevelant in each decade. The rise and fall of the Chrysler squads, the terribly underpowered cruisers of the early 80's, the high-octane Camaros of the Highway Patrol, and the beloved Chevy Caprice (the most popular police package in history) are all covered in this book. My only complaint? All the photos are in black and white... Other than that, a great read! -JCM

TERRIFIC BOOK

I live in Belgium and I'm a big collector of police cars. I have about 3500 1:43 diecast of POLICE CARS (in particular about 2000 of USA). I have actually seven books of police cars and this one is one of the best of all. Even if the pictures are black & white the book is fantastic and it really helps me for my researchs. I dream to have one in colour :)

Most informative book out on this subject

As a New Zealander with an interest in police cars from all over the world this book is the best I have seen, and I already own around fifteen books devoted to police vehicles. The only thing wrong with it is the photos are in black and white, a colour version would make this book unbeatable.

Best police car book.

I bebieve that this is very possibly the best book ever written about American police cars. I was sorry to see that it has gone out of print. The author knows the subject well and has written several over books on the subject. If he decides to write an updated edition, I would gladly lend him some photos I have. I have black and white, including an older motorcyle, if he decides to include them. Also several color photos including a police bus if he should want to include a section in color.

Ultimate review of American Police cars

In your rear-view mirror, the sight of one of these vehicles can make your heart beat faster, your ears burn with a little fear, cause your eyes to race to the speedometer, and bring those long forgotten lessons from driver's education flooding back to haunt you on how bad a driver you really are. That fear-bearing vehicle with red or blue lights blinking is the squad car. Ever since the automobile came into play, law enforcement has looked to cars as a way to get to a call, or take care of other problems, especially traffic partol and accident investigation. Edward Sanow is America's foremost authority on police vehicles having studied and written a number of volumes on individual makes over the past few years. For the first time a comprehensive view of American police cars has been compiled. This book will be recognized as the acme of such material. Made up largely of original photography by the individuals, police and sheriff departments, or the manufacturers. Sanow provides more information to these 1,000 plus black and white photos than just the department, year, make, and model. Unlike some other volumes where the author is writing about police cars like any other subject, Sanow knows and researches each entry. Specifications, engine sizes, and indiividual department requirements are often included in his descriptions. Presented in chronological order, this volume cover everything from the days of the Model T Ford, up to the current brand-new Chevrolet and Ford products. A number of the photographs in this volume of recent shots of restored police crusiers, with notes made regarding those items which might not have been on the vehicles when they were in service. This is not a coffee table pretty picture book, but one designed for the serious student or fan of the vehicles used by the police, state troopers, county sheriffs, and highway patrol. As the world of law enforcement collectibles grows and has seen tremendous expansion of interest in the past few years, this book will be of interest to both young and old alike. Perfect to buy for yourself, or for a friend or family member who is in the field of up holding laws of our country.