I’m sure as with yours, my holiday season was quite busy. It was filled with much family happiness, and I hope yours was too. Though the holidays didn’t afford me much free time, I did find myself sorting through photos in my collection during the quiet morning hours. A few that caught my eye were specialty vehicles that Pontiac built for professional use.
Pontiac published this brochure in 1966 outlining its police packages.
During the ‘60s, it wasn’t uncommon to find Pontiac limos and hearses roaming about. And who can forget the image of JKF’s casket being loaded into a ’63 Bonneville ambulance? I also found a 1966 brochure that outlined the carefully-assembled packages that Pontiac developed for police duty.
Fairview, Pennsylvania was using this modified ’73 Catalina as its official ambulance.
Then came the ‘70s. Pontiac was well-established as one of America’s best-selling new car brands. Its engineers continued developing specialty police packages for departments that wanted something sportier than the typical entry level Chevrolets, Fords, and MOPARs that were so common at that time.
Do you remember seeing this Pontiac ad for its mid ‘70s LeMans Enforcer police package?
And who can forget the ’77 LeMans driven by Sheriff Buford T. Justice. Although Buford’s car was likely a typical LeMans decorated for patrol duty by the movie production crew, there were certainly many out there like it roaming America’s highways!
This ’81 LeMans Safari was assigned to the Fire Chief of the Little Ferry, New Jersey Fire Department.
The images in my collection that captivated me most were the ‘70s and ‘80s Pontiacs purchased by municipalities for professional use. It ranged from police to ambulance, and even fire cars. I was intrigued to find that the Catoosa County (Georgia) Sheriff Department’s wasn’t the only agency using Trans Ams for highway enforcement.
The Washington State Patrol was using this ’81 Trans Am it had confiscated for highway enforcement. Do you remember seeing it?
Do you have any recollection of Pontiacs pressed into professional service? I’d love to hear your stories. And better yet, see any photos you might have!