60s Police Car Detail

Are you referring to the vertical one installed against the dash board or the horizontal type installed against the base of the bench seat? 

The vertical type was actually in use thru the early 90’s until the “shamu” style Caprice Classic was introduced. I was always afraid I was gonna eat the shotgun in a crash when I was working as the “bookman” because it was installed on the right side of the drivetrain hump. I don’t know if I have any photos of them or not, but aside from not having a remote button, and the lock itself, it was very close in appearance to the current type.

Thanks for your reply, Stik.

I'm talking about the horizontal version against the base of the bench seat. I can't quite wrap my head around how such an arrangement could work with the hump.

FWIW, I'm also puzzled that it is described (in several separate accounts) specifically as a 'case' rather than a rack. That seems a fair bit of structure to be putting down there, unless it was somehow built into the seat itself.

Thanks again.

I’ve seen it on one of the old radio cars in our department museum, but I remember none of the details of it. That info aside, they were dangerous. A reserve deputy at my station, years before I was assigned there, was killed because of one of those racks. We would do a memorial service for her, as we did for all fallen station personnel, on the anniversary of her death every year.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/14510-reserve-deputy-sheriff-constance-ellen-worland

Here is one that I found online doing an image search. Don’t know how long this design has been around.

Wow!

Thanks, Stik, for your pesistence. I really appreciate the help.

Thanks also for linking to the memorial page for Reserve Deputy Worland. Her service deserves to be remembered and honored. In a career where the 'accepted' day-to-day risks are so high, its particularly tragic to be lost to such an accident. Thanks for sharing her story.

Hi;

 This brings back memories. Four years in the driver's seat, Reserve Traffic Officer. Never had that happen in our Department, But, I was proud to serve my community. Reserves never seemed to have the problems Traffic stops generate today. Society has changed and NOT for the better in some ways!