Covering Up Police Markings

[EXNODRAMANOTCH]

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

+1.

It was a "service vehicle" and the badge relates to all the equipment that can be seen from outside the vehicle. And as in "out of production" it will never be in service again. "Not in service" implies to me that it could be "in service" at a later date, which is not true. I already ordered and paid for them and I like them just the way they are. You can design and order yours any way you like.

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by EXNODRAMANOTCH

It was a "service vehicle" and the badge relates to all the equipment that can be seen from outside the vehicle. And as in "out of production" it will never be in service again. "Not in service" implies to me that it could be "in service" at a later date, which is not true. I already ordered and paid for them and I like them just the way they are. You can design and order yours any way you like.

I won't have a need for them....I plan on trailering my marked cars when I go to shows.

(I also won't be getting shot at by bad people who won't take the time to read all of that and might think you are actually an LEO).

[Mustang Kid]

All I will do to cover my decals will be 2 large magnets ( one for the top half of the door and one for the lower) painted gloss black. Those will cover the doors. I will have another magnet covering the trunk decals which will also be painted black. My car will also have out of service signs in the windows( same ones in CHP cars).

[EXNODRAMANOTCH]

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

I won't have a need for them....I plan on trailering my marked cars when I go to shows.

(I also won't be getting shot at by bad people who won't take the time to read all of that and might think you are actually an LEO).

I like driving my SSP, and I would not trailer it, even if I had a trailer (I know some states require it, but luckily not here). I doubt bad people think police cars have collector plates, and I bet some of them can read 8 words without being overwhelmed and opening fire. I also don't wear anything close to what a LEO would wear while I'm driving my SSP (or any other time, for that matter). Actually in Minnesota I don't even need to cover up any markings or equipment to legally drive the car on public roads. As long as the vehicle has MN Collector Plates displayed it can have whatever equipment and markings that were on it when it was new. I choose to cover up the markings as a courtesy to my fellow drivers who might think it is an active police vehicle and not want to pass me on the freeway etc. I also choose to cover up the emblem so local LEOs who are not familiar with the state statutes concerning collector cars will not waste my time (or theirs) with an unwarranted stop. I thought about a plain magnet, but then someone could still think it might be an undercover vehicle, where as if they see "Collector Show Car" they know what they are dealing with.

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by EXNODRAMANOTCH

I like driving my SSP, and I would not trailer it, even if I had a trailer (I know some states require it, but luckily not here). I doubt bad people think police cars have collector plates, and I bet some of them can read 8 words without being overwhelmed and opening fire. I also don't wear anything close to what a LEO would wear while I'm driving my SSP (or any other time, for that matter)......

We've discussed this here before ad nauseam. The guy that just robbed the local stop and go isn't looking at your plates, or what you're wearing, or reading what your door decals say.

As long as you know the risks, and are OK with them, and aren't breaking any laws, then have at it.

[EXNODRAMANOTCH]

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

We've discussed this here before ad nauseam. The guy that just robbed the local stop and go isn't looking at your plates, or what you're wearing, or reading what your door decals say.

As long as you know the risks, and are OK with them, and aren't breaking any laws, then have at it.

I doubt any robber would mistake my SSP for a current police vehicle, as the Minnesota State Patrol did such a good job of making their SSPs look like civilian Mustangs (mud flaps, no spotlights, only marked the passenger door, factory antenna used for all radios, silver 10-hole wheels, all lights located inside except for clear driving lights — turn red when on) and they had so few (total of 20, in at least 7 different colors), spread out across the state. The MSP only used the 1989 model (until mid 1993), so they have not been on the roads in over 18 years. Most people (good or bad) don't know what it is (or was).

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by EXNODRAMANOTCH

I doubt any robber would mistake my SSP for a current police vehicle, as the Minnesota State Patrol did such a good job of making their SSPs look like civilian Mustangs (mud flaps, no spotlights, only marked the passenger door, factory antenna used for all radios, silver 10-hole wheels, all lights located inside except for clear driving lights — turn red when on) and they had so few (total of 20, in at least 7 different colors), spread out across the state. The MSP only used the 1989 model (until mid 1993), so they have not been on the roads in over 18 years. Most people (good or bad) don't know what it is (or was).

If that were the case, you probably wouldn't have the need to cover up while on the highway, either.

Originally Posted by EXNODRAMANOTCH

I choose to cover up the markings as a courtesy to my fellow drivers who might think it is an active police vehicle and not want to pass me on the freeway etc. I also choose to cover up the emblem so local LEOs who are not familiar with the state statutes concerning collector cars will not waste my time (or theirs) with an unwarranted stop. I thought about a plain magnet, but then someone could still think it might be an undercover vehicle, where as if they see "Collector Show Car" they know what they are dealing with.

I dont think stopping someone driving what looks like a police car is "wasting time". There are reasons that many of these laws exist.

[EXNODRAMANOTCH]

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

If that were the case, you probably wouldn't have the need to cover up while on the highway, either.


I dont think stopping someone driving what looks like a police car is "wasting time". There are reasons that many of these laws exist.

Better to error on the side of over-informing than not at all. I Just stated the facts about the laws here and IMHO a LEO who pulls over a car with collector plates that looks like it might have been a police car because he/she is not aware of the state statutes pertaining to collector cars is wasting their time (and the taxpayers money). I'm all for a LEO stopping someone driving what looks like a police car if they don't have collector plates or are in violation of any state statutes. Thanks for your feedback (as well as all of those who responded).

[copcamaro]

Originally Posted by EXNODRAMANOTCH

I like driving my SSP, and I would not trailer it, even if I had a trailer (I know some states require it, but luckily not here). I doubt bad people think police cars have collector plates, and I bet some of them can read 8 words without being overwhelmed and opening fire. I also don't wear anything close to what a LEO would wear while I'm driving my SSP (or any other time, for that matter). Actually in Minnesota I don't even need to cover up any markings or equipment to legally drive the car on public roads. As long as the vehicle has MN Collector Plates displayed it can have whatever equipment and markings that were on it when it was new. I choose to cover up the markings as a courtesy to my fellow drivers who might think it is an active police vehicle and not want to pass me on the freeway etc. I also choose to cover up the emblem so local LEOs who are not familiar with the state statutes concerning collector cars will not waste my time (or theirs) with an unwarranted stop. I thought about a plain magnet, but then someone could still think it might be an undercover vehicle, where as if they see "Collector Show Car" they know what they are dealing with.

My $.02 worth exactly!!!!!
You hit the nail on the head with above comment.
We all have to do what we think is right for usans and the hobby. There a few folks out there that don't give a (you know what) about any thing.
20 years doing this and never been stopped (even in Ca.)