What brand are old police cars?

In the United States, the brand most people associate with old police cars is Ford—especially the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor—though Chevrolet and Dodge were also staples; internationally, the answer varies by country, with notable appearances from Volvo, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo, Vauxhall, Toyota, Nissan, Holden, and others. The term “old police car” broadly covers decades of fleet choices shaped by availability, performance, cost, and local procurement rules.

United States: The big three that defined the look

Across the mid-20th century into the early 2000s, American fleets were dominated by Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge/Plymouth. Departments prioritized durability, parts availability, and fleet support, which favored body-on-frame sedans and roomy V8-powered models that could survive curb strikes and long idling.

The following list highlights widely used U.S. police models by era and brand, showing how the market evolved from heavy-duty sedans to modern performance platforms.

• 1950s–1960s: Ford Custom/Customline; Chevrolet Bel Air and Biscayne; Plymouth Savoy and Fury
• 1970s–1980s: Plymouth Fury/Gran Fury and Dodge Monaco/Diplomat/St. Regis; Chevrolet Caprice (9C1) and Malibu; Ford LTD and LTD Crown Victoria; AMC Matador (notably LAPD in the 1970s)
• 1990s–2000s: Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (1998–2011) as the archetype; Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 (through 1996) and Impala 9C1 (2000s); Dodge Intrepid (limited) and Dodge Charger Police (from 2006)
• Specialty/highway units: Ford Mustang SSP (1982–1993); Chevrolet Camaro B4C (1991–2002)

Taken together, these models explain why many Americans reflexively answer “Ford” when asked about old police cars: the Crown Victoria’s ubiquity in the 1990s–2010s cemented the image, even though Chevrolet and Dodge were equally entrenched in earlier decades.

Why Ford stands out in memory

Ford’s Crown Victoria combined body-on-frame durability, rear-wheel drive, simple mechanicals, and nationwide fleet service. The platform’s toughness, plus parts commonality with taxis, kept operating costs low and resale robust, which is why decommissioned “Crown Vics” were everywhere for years after production ended.

United Kingdom and Commonwealth: From panda cars to motorway missiles

British and Commonwealth fleets tailored cars to local roads and missions. General urban patrols favored compact family cars, while motorway units adopted higher-performance sedans and estates. Procurement often cycled through domestic brands and European imports.

Below are representative UK and Commonwealth models that frequently appeared in service, illustrating the mix of everyday “panda cars” and high-speed traffic units.

• UK patrol classics: Wolseley and Riley police-spec saloons (1950s–60s); Morris Minor and Austin A40; Ford Anglia, Cortina, and Granada; Vauxhall Viva/Cavalier; Rover SD1
• Traffic/pursuit: Volvo 850/70 series (including T5), BMW 5 Series, Vauxhall Senator/Carlton, Subaru Impreza (select forces)
• Commonwealth highlights: Australia/New Zealand—Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon patrol and highway cars; some performance HSV and FPV variants

These choices reflected a balance of purchase price, reliability, and the need for sustained high-speed cruising on motorways, leading to a well-known mix of British, European, and Australian models.

Continental Europe: Built for autobahns, autoroutes, and alpine passes

On the continent, police fleets vary widely by country, but a recurring theme is the use of robust domestic and regional brands with strong highway manners. While general patrol cars tended to be modest, traffic units often tapped into higher-performance offerings.

The following examples show commonly seen European police cars from past decades across major markets.

• Germany: BMW 5 Series (E34, E39), Mercedes-Benz W123/W124; limited-use Porsche units appeared historically in some regions
• Italy: Alfa Romeo Giulia Super/Alfetta; Fiat 125/131; more recently Alfa 156/159 and occasional halo cars (e.g., Lamborghini units for special duties)
• France: Renault 4/12/16 and later Renault 21; Peugeot 404/504/305/309; Citroën DS and CX in select roles
• Nordics: Volvo 140/240/740/850 series; Saab 900/9000 in Sweden and Finland
• Netherlands: Notably Porsche 911 Targa for highway patrol (Rijkspolitie) from the 1960s to the 1990s alongside mainstream sedans

Local manufacturing strength and road conditions shaped these lineups, with Germany and the Nordics favoring stable, long-legged cruisers suited to high-speed duty.

Asia–Pacific: Domestic stalwarts and export heroes

Across Asia and Oceania, police vehicles generally come from strong domestic manufacturers, with an emphasis on reliability for urban duty and robust sedans for highway patrols.

These examples highlight brands commonly associated with older police fleets in the region.

• Japan: Toyota Crown and Mark II; Nissan Skyline and Cedric/Gloria; Subaru Legacy in some traffic roles
• South Korea: Hyundai Sonata and Grandeur; Kia K5/Optima and K7/Cadenza in later years
• Australia/New Zealand: Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon (including pursuit-spec variants), reflecting local manufacturing until the late 2010s

The result is a distinctive regional flavor: big, durable sedans for highways, paired with smaller, efficient cars for dense urban areas.

How to identify the brand of an old decommissioned police car

Many retired patrol cars enter public auctions. Even after decommissioning, telltale features can reveal their past life and brand, especially on models commonly upfitted for police duty.

Look for the following signs when assessing an old police car’s make and prior use.

• Spotlight cutouts near the A-pillars and capped antenna holes on roof or trunk
• Reinforced seats, rubber floors, and evidence of partition mounting points
• Push-bar brackets, heavy-duty steel wheels, and wiring harness remnants
• Fleet codes on the VIN sticker (e.g., Ford P71/P7B, Chevy 9C1/9C3)

These clues, combined with the vehicle’s VIN and trim codes, can quickly confirm brand and police-package lineage.

Buying and owning an old police car: Practical notes

If you are considering purchasing a retired unit, it is important to understand local regulations on markings and equipment, as well as unique maintenance needs of former fleet vehicles.

Keep the following points in mind to stay compliant and avoid surprises.

• Legal restrictions: Many jurisdictions prohibit active light bars, sirens, and official insignia on public roads
• Decommissioning: Agencies usually remove radios, weapons mounts, and certain electronics before auction
• Maintenance: Expect extensive idle hours; cooling, charging systems, and suspensions may need attention
• Insurance/title: Confirm that the vehicle has a clean title and that your insurer covers ex-police models

With due diligence, ex-police cars can be reliable, straightforward to service, and relatively affordable compared to civilian equivalents.

Summary

There is no single brand for “old police cars,” but in the U.S. the image is dominated by Ford—especially the Crown Victoria—alongside long-serving Chevrolet and Dodge models. Elsewhere, brands such as Volvo, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo, Vauxhall, Toyota, Nissan, and Holden helped define the look and capability of police fleets. The brand you associate with an old police car ultimately depends on the country and era in question, with local needs and procurement shaping what rolled out on patrol.

What old police cars are still in use?

Older models, namely the Ford Crown Victoria, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Caprice, and Ford Police Interceptor Sedan, retain their popularity in fleets, but are gradually being phased out due to maintenance costs, mileage, and their end of production.

What was the old police car brand?

Old cop car brands include Ford, Dodge, Chevrolet, Plymouth, and American Motors Corporation (AMC), with models like the Ford Crown Victoria, Dodge Monaco, Chevrolet Caprice, Plymouth Gran Fury, and AMC Matador being prominent examples from different eras. These manufacturers supplied durable, powerful sedans and later SUVs that were modified by law enforcement for patrol and pursuit duties. 
Ford

• Ford Crown Victoria: A quintessential American police car, the Crown Victoria was the standard for police fleets for two decades, from 1992 to 2011, known for its durability and presence in media. 
• Ford LTD/Torino: Earlier models like the LTD and Torino were also popular police vehicles in the 1970s and 1980s. 
• Ford Custom: The first police vehicle Ford supplied was the 1950 Ford Custom. 

Dodge

• Dodge Monaco: Opens in new tabThis powerful car, especially known for its role in The Blues Brothers, was a staple in police departments in the early 1970s. 
• Dodge Polara: Opens in new tabA popular choice in the 1960s and early 1970s, the Polara was known for its tough build and powerful Magnum V8 engine. 

Chevrolet 

• Chevrolet Caprice: A prominent police car from the late 1980s into the mid-1990s.
• Chevrolet Impala: The Impala was a common police vehicle in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
• Chevrolet Biscayne: A model used in the 1960s.

Plymouth

• Plymouth Gran Fury: A common and enduring police vehicle from the 1980s. 
• Plymouth Satellite: An intermediate-sized sedan used by police in the 1960s and 1970s. 

AMC (American Motors Corporation) 

• AMC Matador: This American Motors model was a popular choice in the 1970s, known for its powerful V8 engines.

Are cop cars only Fords?

No, not all police cars are Fords; however, Ford does dominate the U.S. police vehicle market, with its Police Interceptor Utility (Explorer) being the best-selling model. Other manufacturers, such as Chevrolet (with the Tahoe) and Dodge (with the Charger), also produce popular police vehicles.
 
Why Ford is so popular:

• Long history: Ford has been supplying police vehicles with dedicated packages since 1950, building a legacy and brand loyalty with law enforcement. 
• Commitment to the market: Ford understands the unique needs of law enforcement and has consistently adapted its vehicles with features and options for police work. 
• Market dominance: Ford currently holds more than half the police vehicle market, with some estimates putting their share around two-thirds. 
• Reliability: Ford vehicles are often considered durable and easier to maintain and repair, which is important for the demanding use of a police cruiser. 

Other police vehicle options: 

• Dodge Charger: The Dodge Charger Pursuit is a recognizable and popular police sedan choice.
• Chevrolet Tahoe: The Tahoe PPV (Police Pursuit Vehicle) is another extremely common police SUV on the road.
• Other models: Police departments also utilize other vehicles, such as the Dodge Durango Pursuit, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ford F-150 Police Responder, depending on their specific needs.

What brand of cars do police use?

Ford Police Interceptors are the preferred choice of municipalities, dominating the sales of all police pursuit vehicles in the U.S. and Canada.