Re: [FWDLK] Forward looks in Highway Patrol
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Re: [FWDLK] Forward looks in Highway Patrol



You are right.  Apparently they preferred them for whatever reason.  Below is some more info I cut and pasted from the Internet Movie Database trivia section for the show.  Says the same as you about the 2-doors. 

Jim Delton ¨¨°°¨°°¨Ô¨°°¨°°¨¨ 

The California Highway Patrol strongly supported this show in its first two seasons, and the production company was able to rent actual CHP squad cars. Generic "Highway Patrol" logos were placed over the real CHP emblems and studio license plates were taped over the genuine "E" (exempt) plates. The 1955 Buick Century two-door sedans seen were built especially for the CHP and were never offered for sale to the public. Two-door sedans were adequate, because the real CHP rarely arrested anyone at that time, being involved more with accident investigations, enforcement, and auto thefts. Major police powers were not invested in the CHP until 1964. The show's uniforms were copies of the khakis worn by the CHP including the state seal and the slogan "Eureka", except that the word "California" was removed. Authenticity was a major goal, and Dan Mathews' call sign, "21-50", was the actual unit number of then-CHP Commissioner Bernard Caldwell. In mid 1956, the CHP dropped its support of this show over differences in storylines and presentation, and refused to supply any more squad cars. The producers quickly acquired an incorrect Buick Super four-door hardtop to complete that season. Accurate squad replicas were ordered for the 1957 season, but the 1958 season cars differed from reality. The trailer hitches seen on the squad cars were for towing the film company's equipment trailers to shooting locations. Brand names of suspect vehicles were never scripted. They were always described as "a green coupe", "a tan station wagon", or "a dark blue sedan".

On Sunday, February 28, 2021, 07:45:34 PM MST, Dave Homstad <dhomstad@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


Jim,

I disagree about the 2 doors. While most police used 4 doors so they could haul away the perps, most State highway cars were 2 door sedans.

California bought a large number of 56 Dodge D500 2 door sedan Coronets for Highway patrol use. Back in the 60s, Minnesota exclusively used Plymouth 2 door sedans for their cars. I always wanted one, lightweight with a 413, 426 wedge, or 440.

Dave Homstad
56 Dodge D500

-----------------------------------------

From: "Jim" <0000093b5b69d73c-dmarc-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc:
Sent: Friday February 26 2021 4:53:31PM
Subject: Re: [FWDLK] Forward looks in Highway Patrol

The show ran from 55 to 59.  The early episodes that I've seen so far had Olds and Buicks and Mercs usually 56, 57, and 58 models.  I'm only guessing but it seems like when the Forward looks came out whoever was in charge of the show liked them and immediately started using them but you'd still see the olds, buicks and mercs show up.  The outfitting of the cars as police cars seems pretty well done except many of them are two doors which I don't think too many police departments would have actually used.. But they look better and perhaps the same "car guy" who picked the Mopars had a hand in that choice too.  Many of the shots of the cars are really rather extended.. certainly more extended than would be the case today.. maybe just to fill time or maybe because the cars looked so good they wanted to film them.  I watched the show originally when my age was single digits... watching it now I'm impressed with the quality of almost all the scripts, really realistic and far less sappy than many 50's era shows.  Gene Roddenbury, who went on to fame with Star Trek, wrote one of the scripts.  He had been a patrol officer for LAPD, maybe even was at the time.

Jim Delton ¨¨°°¨°°¨Ô¨°°¨°°¨¨


On Friday, February 26, 2021, 08:44:48 AM MST, William Amberger <magnumguy78@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:


I seem to recall most of the episodes I saw where Mopars were the stars. I remember an occasional Buick and Merc.

Bill the Magnumguy
John 3:17

On 2/26/2021 2:52 AM, Larry Ashbaugh wrote:
Great Mopars.  The 59 Chevy looks tinny and poorly styled compared to the Desoto and even the Dodge.  I remember most of the series they used Buicks for the Highway Patrol cars.  Nice to see they went to Mopars in the end.....


Larry


-----Original Message-----
From: Jim <0000093b5b69d73c-dmarc-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thu, Feb 25, 2021 11:30 pm
Subject: [FWDLK] Forward looks in Highway Patrol

Found a bunch of old Highway Patrol TV shows on youtube.  Here's a couple with some real live forward looks in them.

Express delivery.  Gorgeous Forward look 2-door Desoto with day/night electronic Mirror, also Dodge
Highway Patrol 43 in Express Delivery






Detour to death.    forward look Plymouth and dodge.





Jim Delton ¨¨°°¨°°¨Ô¨°°¨°°¨¨ 
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