Customer Reviews

Police Cars: Restoring, Collecting and Showing America's Finest Sedans

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ed Sanow and Jim Post have done an excellent job in collaborating and producing a book that not only addresses the basic questions asked by those just getting into the hobby, but for those of us already in the hobby it helps provide a base from which we can help others. This is definitely a book that I will recommend to new members of our Association, the Emergency Vehicle Owners & Operators Association ... and for those that may need another resource for information.

Mr. Sanow has brought the Police Car collecting community another great resource and mound of information. This book gives great recommendations on what cars are worth restoring and what it will take to make a great show car. It covers topics from body work/painting to preparing your car for show day. There are also several Chapters written by noteable Police Car experts from across the United States. This is is a great book for a beginner in the hobby right on up to a veteran collector!

I am on my second police car restore, I wish I had had this book with the first one, it would have saved me time and money. Excellent book with lots of tips on restoring a police car. Very down to earth, by two people who have been there done that, and made the mistakes so we don't have too.

This must certainly be THE definitive book on the subject of restoring, collecting and showing police cars. If I had had this book when I first started restoring an antique 1950s squad car, I would have made some better decisions and done things much differently -- like, saving money!

There are chapters on:
1. Basic tips for owning a police car, including helpful sections titled "Why cops dislike police car owners (and what you can do about it)" and "Avoid the money pit."
2. The different types of police cars
3. Restoring your cruiser, including helpful sections on locating parts and police equipment, upgrading the vehicle, bodywork and paint, replicating markings, wiring, detailing, common mistakes, and out of season storage tips.
4. Showing police cars, including helpful sections on photographing the vehicle, and showing it in a car show (with a pre-show checklist).
5. In-depth case examples
6. Additional information for police departments

If you are involved in restoring or showing old squads, this is definitely the best starting point I have found. If you are just interested in police cars in general, you probably won't get as much out of it, but might still find it interesting.

Note: Laws concerning collecting and operating such vehicles are covered only in the most GENERAL sense. The author gives some good overall suggestions, but refers you to check your own state and local laws (rightfully so).

Bottom line: This book is a MUST HAVE for anyone INVOLVED in restoring, collecting and/or showing an old police car, and could be of somewhat lesser interest to anyone interested in police cars.

Once again Ed Sanow does it perfectly, this is his best police car book. This book covers every aspect of a complete police car restoration and will be a great help to anyone in the hobby. It is a must have for anyone interested in police car collecting.