HISTORIC SOUTH AUSTRALIA POLICE VEHICLES.
Valiant VG.
The Chrysler Valiant VG was produced by Chrysler Australia from 1970 to 1971. (Wikipedia 2024)
Above:- Valiant VG, c. 1972. Image c/o Retired Police Officers of South Australia Facebook page
Holden HJ.
The Holden HJ was produced by Holden in Australia from 1974 to 1976. (Wikipedia 2024)
During the 1960s and 1970's period, the South Australian State Government stipulated that all Government vehicles were to be either manufactured by Holden or Chrysler. This was to be the case unless there were special circumstances. The reason for this policy was that Holden and Chrysler were being manufactured locally in South Australia. (Hopkins and Sykes 2005)
Image c/o Retired Police Officers of South Australia Facebook page.
Bay to Birdwood Car Rally - September 2018
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Above:- photographs taken by VK5PAS.
Holden HZ.
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Holden FC Police Wagons at Thebarton Barracks, c. 1958
Image c/o Retired Police Officers of South Australia Facebook page.
Chrysler Valiant - VH series.
Above:- Image c/o Wayne Morris, SA Retired Police Officers Facebook page.
Chrysler Valiant - VJ series.
Above:- Image c/o Wayne Morris, SA Retired Police Officers Facebook page.
Above:- Image c/o Wayne Morris, SA Retired Police Officers Facebook page.
Valiant Charger.
Valiant Highway Patrol.
Holden Commodore - Highway Patrol.
Holden Commodore VN patrol car.
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'Courtesy cars.'
In 1960 Police Commissioner John McKinna introduced traffic patrol cars known as 'Courtesy Cars'. Initially the courtesy cars were panel vans and later station wagons. They were fitted with a roof mounted public address system. This enabled the officer in the courtesy vehicle to broadcast messages to motorists.
In the early model courtesy cars the speaker was fitted with a large handle to enable to speaker to be moved in any direction.
The Courtesy cars were used in a road safety education function and they were also deployed at major public events to assist in the control and safe movement of vehicluar traffic and pedestrians.
By the early 1990's the courtesy cars were abandoned due to the advancement in technology. At this time, general duty patrol cars and traffic patrol cars were fitted with a combined siren and public address system which allosed them to perform the duties of courtesy cars. (Facebook.com 2022)
In the early model courtesy cars the speaker was fitted with a large handle to enable to speaker to be moved in any direction.
The Courtesy cars were used in a road safety education function and they were also deployed at major public events to assist in the control and safe movement of vehicluar traffic and pedestrians.
By the early 1990's the courtesy cars were abandoned due to the advancement in technology. At this time, general duty patrol cars and traffic patrol cars were fitted with a combined siren and public address system which allosed them to perform the duties of courtesy cars. (Facebook.com 2022)
Above:- Image c/o South Australian Police Historical Society.
Above:- Image c/o South Australian Police Historical Society.
Above:- Image c/o South Australian Police Historical Society.
Above:- Image c/o South Australian Police Historical Society.
References.
- Facebook.com. (2022). South Australian Police Historical Society | Adelaide SA. [online] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/Historical1838 [Accessed 22 Feb. 2025].
- Hopkins, C. and Sykes, J.H. (2005). South Australia Police 1838 - 2003.
- Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Holden HJ. Wikipedia.
- Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Chrysler Valiant (VG). Wikipedia.