Old Gold 361: The Michigan State Police Cruiser That Wasn’t Blue
When most people think of a Michigan State Police cruiser, they picture a blue patrol car.
That shouldn’t be surprising. The Michigan State Police adopted its distinctive blue paint scheme in 1954, creating one of the most recognizable law enforcement vehicle identities in the country. In fact, ‘Michigan State Police Blue’ has its own paint code; P79.
That’s what makes this 1968 Plymouth Fury I so unusual.
At first glance, the gold sedan looks out of place wearing Michigan State Police markings. After all, MSP cruisers have been blue for so long that many people have forgotten the agency ever used anything else. Yet this gold Fury represents a fascinating chapter in Michigan State Police history when the agency experimented with semi-marked pursuit vehicles designed to blend into traffic and catch aggressive drivers off guard.
Known as “Old Gold 361,” this Plymouth Fury I was originally assigned to Michigan State Police Post 36 in West Branch, Michigan.
Why Michigan State Police Went Semi-Marked
The 1960s were a different time on America’s highways.
The interstate highway system was expanding rapidly, vehicles were becoming more powerful, and motorists were traveling faster than ever before. Michigan State Police quickly discovered that highly visible patrol cars had one major drawback. Drivers would spot a marked cruiser, slow down, pass it, and then return to their previous speed.
To combat the problem, MSP began deploying semi-marked patrol vehicles.
Unlike traditional patrol cars, these vehicles were intentionally designed to blend into everyday traffic. They were ordered in civilian-style colors and carried minimal exterior markings. The goal was simple: observe traffic violations as they naturally occurred rather than after drivers had been alerted by the sight of a police car.
This gold Fury was one of those vehicles.
The Car That Didn’t Look Like A Police Car
What made the semi-marked cars effective was their appearance.
Historical accounts indicate that the Michigan State Police logo was placed on the passenger-side front door while leaving the driver’s side unmarked. To motorists approaching from behind or passing on the left, the vehicle appeared to be nothing more than another full-size sedan traveling down the highway.
When it came time to make a traffic stop, the disguise disappeared.
Mounted on the hood was a clear plexiglass sign reading “STOP / STATE POLICE.” When a trooper spotted a violator, he could pull alongside the left side of the vehicle and activate the illuminated sign. When the driver looked to his left, he would see the “STOP / STATE POLICE” sign on the hood and the official Michigan State Police logo on the passenger-side door.
The seemingly ordinary gold Plymouth had suddenly revealed itself as a state police car.
Built For High-Speed Patrol
Under the hood was Chrysler’s legendary 440 cubic-inch V8.
The engine was originally rated at 350 horsepower in police trim, although this particular car is now equipped with a 375-horsepower version. Backing the big-block was Chrysler’s durable three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission and a 3.23 limited-slip 8-3/4-inch rear axle.
Additional police equipment included:
- Heavy-duty front disc and rear drum brakes
- Heavy-duty suspension with sway bar
- Reinforced seating
- Steel protection plate installed behind the front seat
- Certified speedometer
- Special-order police package equipment
Performance was impressive for a full-size patrol sedan weighing well over two tons.
According to information displayed with the vehicle, the Fury could cover the quarter mile in 14.81 seconds at 92 mph and reach a top speed between 140 and 150 mph. Those numbers put the big Plymouth among the fastest law enforcement vehicles operating in America during the late 1960s.
Period-Correct Equipment
One of the most interesting aspects of the restoration is the attention paid to the police equipment.
Mounted on the driver’s windshield pillar is a red Unity spotlight. The rear package tray contains two red warning lamps visible through the back glass. The hood-mounted plexiglass “STOP / STATE POLICE” sign is present, providing one of the most recognizable features of Michigan State Police cars.
Inside the car is a Motorola MOTRAC two-way radio and a Federal Signal electronic siren. Even the radio antenna appears correctly mounted on the passenger-side panel between the rear window and trunk lid, matching period Motorola radio installations.
These details help transform the Fury from a restored classic car into a rolling piece of law enforcement history.
A Forgotten Piece Of Michigan State Police History
Today, Michigan State Police is known for its “Blue Goose” patrol cars. The color is so iconic that many people are surprised to learn the agency once had semi-marked cars like this gold Plymouth Fury I.
That’s what makes Old Gold 361 special.
It’s not just a restored 1968 Plymouth Fury. It’s a reminder of a unique period when one of America’s most respected law enforcement agencies looked beyond the traditional patrol car and created a fleet of stealth highway cruisers designed to hide in plain sight.
For motorists traveling Michigan highways in 1968, the most surprising thing about this Plymouth wasn’t the 440 cubic-inch V8 under the hood.
It was realizing that the ordinary-looking gold sedan beside them was a Michigan State Police cruiser.
Video
More Photos
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!
