Monmouthshire, Wales
This 1976 Rover P6 3500 Auto in Scarab blue served with the Metropolitan Police from 1976 to 1979 as an area car, also referred to as R/T cars. It was first stationed at Merton-Wimbledon Division (VW) with call sign Victor 1, and later Juliet 5 at Redbridge Division (JI) and finally Barkingside (JB). All R/T cars were manned by two officers, a driver and observer. Police P6's did not have power steering, and the auto gearbox was up rated Police spec Borg Warner 66, also fitted were 'S type' wheel trims (normally fitted to manualS SP6's) as they found the ordinary standard trims cut into the tyre valves under heavy braking. they also fitted wing mirrors and one drivers door mirror. The front bumper overriders were moved outwards for the fitment of spotlights. Equipment under the bonnet included, two tone horns for emergency calls, a Winkworth bell which was used to request vehicles to stop, which was a lot quieter at night than using the two tones in a built up area of London! In the boot various Police items were kept in a hard durable briefcase, including handcuffs, measuring tape, breathalyser kit, white tape, A to Z of London, clip board and various paperwork including HORT for the production of vehicle & drivers documents. Boot Equipment differed slightly from division to division, which could have included a tripod Police Accident/Slow road sign, first aid box, traffic cones, two respirators (gas masks) and a seek and search (White Knight) 12v potable light that was housed in a wooden box. Inside the vehicle a Storno personnel radio which could be connected to a roof mounted Ariel for better reception with the Division from which it was based and a radio log that was hand written by the RT/observer, a butler flexi rally light, a rear view mirror for the observer and a halon fire extinguisher which was secured just in front of his seat and a vehicle mileage book. The interior lights were disconnected from all doors, so the officers could discreetly leave the vehicle at night without being detected, and to stop the battery going flat when doors were left open for long periods of time! The long rear whip ariel mounted on the rear decker panel was for the force radio at New Scotland Yard. Inner Divisions did not fit roof lights (referred to as Mickey Mouse lights' by officers), but only on outer divisions for use on open ground and industrial estates. Victor 1 is an inner division car.