Georgia State Patrol 1961 Ford Fairlane
This 1961 Ford Fairlane is a former Georgia State Patrol car that was purchased in the 1990’s by a GSP Post Commander and completely restored in 2010. The restoration included a repaint in white, new two-tone green vinyl interior, a 428 CID Cobra Jet V8, and a C6 3-speed automatic transmission. The Holley four-barrel carburetor, open element air cleaner and an H-pipe dual exhaust system means you could hear this thing coming a long way off. Anyone that lived out on a country road in the 1960’s-1970’s knows what I’m talking about. There’s just something about the sound of a 4-barrel carb opening up on a State Patrol car that’s ‘gettin it’ that you just never forget.
(Kustom Signals MR7 RADAR)
For the GSP restoration, the car was outfitted with a period correct MR7 Radar unit, Motorola Motrac trunk mounted radio, whip antenna, Dietz red alternating lights in the rear window, red teardrop dash light, red alternating lights in the front grill, and a Federal Model 28 mechanical siren under the hood. The doors and trunk lid also received the appropriate Georgia State Patrol markings. The car even has a GSP trunk locker for storing riot gear. For those that don’t know, State Troopers could be deployed at a moment’s notice to any part of the state for civil disturbances and many states required Troopers to keep their riot gear in their trunk.
(Ford 428 Cobra Jet V8 and Federal Model 28 Siren)
VIN Data Plate
The data plate decodes as follows:
- 1 – 1961 model year
- U – Louisville, Kentucky, assembly plant
- 31 – Fairlane Club Sedan body style
- Z – 390ci V8 with four-barrel carburetor
- 126622 – Production sequence number
- 64F – Fairlane Club Sedan
- M – Corinthian White paint
- 13 – Green vinyl upholstery
- 12D – April 12 production date
- 1 – Three-speed manual transmission
- 1 – 3.56:1 final gear ratio
Specifications
- 1961 Ford Fairlane
- 428 Cobra Jet V8
- Ford Aluminum Intake Manifold
- Holley 4-BBL Carb
- H-pipe Dual Exhaust
- Ford C6 Automatic Transmission
- Ford 9-Inch Rear Axle
- 3.56 Gears
- Motorola Motrac Radio
- Whip Antenna
- Red Teardrop Dash Light
- Red Alternating Grill & Rear Deck Lights
- Kustom Signals MR7 RADAR
- Federal Model 28 Mechanical Siren
- Georgia State Patrol Door & Trunk Markings
Trunk Locker & License Plate Decoded
The stencil on the trunk locker and matching license plate represents:
- 28 – Post 28 Canton (Georgia)
- P – Patrol post commander
- 1 – First in charge
Video
Photo Gallery
Links
Georgia State Patrol | Georgia Department of Public Safety
About The Author
Code 3 Garage
I started my career as a police officer in 1989 with the Geneva on The Lake Police Department. I worked part time as a police officer and full time as a Security Sergeant doing armed mobile security patrols for a local security company. In 1990 I became a State Trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. During my career as a State Trooper I was certified as a Technical Crash Investigator, OPOTA Police Instructor, OPOTA Police Driving Instructor, LASER Instructor, and received awards for ACE (Auto Larceny) and Post Trooper of The Year. Code 3 Garage is a mix of my inner automotive gearhead, and public safety background. I hope you enjoy it!
