Ireland - did they have Mk1 Police cars?

[Keith Halstead]

Anyone heard of this car used in Belfast ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-LOTUS-CO ... 51bca207a8

[tommy]

I can ask my friend, who used to be "in that line of work", but his time would have been the 70s and 80s, so maybe he won't know of it. He once told me that he had to assess the original 2wd Sierra Cosworth for police use and deemed it as unsuitable.
Looks like a 1964 Belfast reg (2886 GZ) anyway Keith.
I do remember the R.U.C. traffic branch using unmarked RS2000s and 3litre capris as Q cars, so it is a possibility.
Tommy

[tommy]

Having spoken to my friend, he has a contact who owns an ex Royal Ulster Constabulary mini cooper S and access to some period fleet records Keith, so he will check and get back to me. He personally remembers cooper S, MGB, TR6 and Escort Twin Cam, being used as police Q cars in Belfast.
Tommy

[GoLotus]

Never did understand why the police used any of the TR models, they are all so small! Same goes for MGs and Cooper Ss too I guess

[tommy]

Yes I think 2 large policemen squeezing in and out of a mini would be quite comical to watch.
Tommy

[Trident team]

I know this is an old post, but I must relate this story for those who are interested.
I was at a show in Australia a few years ago and noticed a very ''dapper'' gentleman tweed cap and all,was taking particular interest in my Mk 1. As I approached he turned to me and made a comment about how he had a lot of great memories of working in Lotus Cortinas.
Naturally I asked...working? How would that be? and in his strong Irish accent he said he used to drive in the Highway Patrol in and around Belfast.
He said that they were great fun to drive actually particularly when going fast.
If they spotted a ''villain'' they pull in front of the offending vehicle. Then under the dash was a string attached to a cloth sign which was loosely hanging and attached to the internal headlining.
By pulling the string the sign would drop down inside the rear windscreen and the word ''POLICE'' would be displayed.
He related a few experiences he had had, but wouldn't elaborate too much and when I asked if I could speak to him at another time about his time in the ''force'' and in particular his time in Lotus Cortinas, he refused and I didn't ask why.

[Keith Halstead]

To my knowledge they didn't have Lotus Mk1s but may have had other models of Cortinas.

[tommy]

10432539_750290955048278_3846703386784450962_n.jpg

This is a copy of the picture that was for sale on ebay, it's definitely a 1964 Belfast reg Lotus Cortina.

[Keith Halstead]

10432539_750290955048278_3846703386784450962_n.jpg

This is a copy of the picture that was for sale on ebay, it's definitely a 1964 Belfast reg Lotus Cortina.

Anyone ever seen a photo of one in service? None of the books I have show one sadly.