Did you know that this was National Police Week? Me neither, that is until I read a car-museum news release making reference to the observance of the thin blue line that separates us regular folk from lawless chaos.
But in recognition, the Pick of the Day is a 1962 Ford Galaxie patrol-car replica designed to look like it just drove off the set of the Andy Griffith Show. You could just see Deputy Fife behind the wheel, leaning out the window and waggling a bony finger at some truant kids fooling around outside Floyd’s barber shop.
“It’s already hard not to love a 1962 Ford Galaxie customized to look like one of Andy Griffith’s Mayberry police cars,” says the Lutz, Florida, dealer advertising the ersatz cop cruiser on ClassicCars.com. “But when this has everything right – from V8 power to working lights & sirens – then your mind starts to wonder all the cool things you can do with this affordable and distinct classic.
“The black & white paint, gumball light, long CB antenna, old-school siren, and sheriff badges on the door remind you of a time when solving a crime meant returning a homemade pie.”
All the police accessories are functional, the seller notes, and the sedan’s interior is in great condition, and possibly original. The odometer shows just under 72,000 miles, although there is no indication that is authentic.
“Under the hood, this one looks ready for police business,” the seller adds. “For the few times that real crime does try to enter Mayberry, this Ford 292 cubic-inch motor means you have V8 power to chase down trouble and push it out of town. The orange block, valve covers, and air topper look freshly painted, and so it radiates nicely within the engine bay.
“And people will even love pointing out the siren mounted on the side. Plus, with everything from an aluminum radiator to a three-speed automatic transmission, this one is built to cruise the streets with ease.”
The Galaxie looks cop-car authentic and very clean in the photos, the Ford’s classic looks highlighted by the all-too-familiar police livery.
A similar Mayberry patrol car that was used by a Barney Fife impersonator in his act sold at auction for serious money a couple years back, even though it was not a real prop from the actual TV show.
Which makes this one seem like a bargain at $19,995. And if this car doesn’t evoke double takes everywhere it goes, I don’t know what would.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Mayberry and the cops who patrol it….rock !
Love this car and the show it came from !
I can see two possible license plates for this gem: 1BULLET or POELEASE.
What about “HOWDY” or “GOLLEY” or even “SHAZAM”? I bet they would Sure work if the other names are taken, there’s always “1BULLET”!
Great memories to bring out the laughs from those better days! Thanks for stirring them up from the bottom of the kettle!
…Think after I watch a few lost episodes, I’ll swing in to the fillin’station, git 2 dollars of ethyl, some live bait (& a cold soda), before I head to the ole’ fishin hole! Then can bring a mess of catfish home for Ain’t Bee to fry up, whilst I git Spruced up for a picture show with the fella’s & then finish up the nite out @ Walley’s to tame down all the excitement of the day! Mmm Mmm Good!😉😇🤗👍😂🇺🇸