Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => Omega Gallery => Topic started by: Omega VT3000 on 25 March 2007, 23:31:16

Title: Project Polac
Post by: Omega VT3000 on 25 March 2007, 23:31:16
As some of you may know, I bought an ex-Herts armed response Omega with the intention of restoring it back to its' in-use state for shows and possibly TV work.

I have finally pulled my finger out and got the finances together to get the ball rolling with some paintwork so last weekend, the car went to the bodyshop.

I did a test fitting of the livery some time ago but the car is now getting sorted out for the livery to be permanently applied.

I plan to put a few more pictures up as the project progresses. The plan is to cosmetically restore the car and then sort out the electrics as I go along.

(http://www.megaomega.co.uk/police_omega/images/051015_01.JPG)

(http://www.megaomega.co.uk/police_omega/images/051015_02.JPG)

(http://www.megaomega.co.uk/police_omega/images/051015_03.JPG)

(http://www.megaomega.co.uk/police_omega/images/070317_03.JPG)

(http://www.megaomega.co.uk/police_omega/images/070317_04.JPG)

(http://www.megaomega.co.uk/police_omega/images/070317_05.JPG)

(http://www.megaomega.co.uk/police_omega/images/070317_06.JPG)
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Jim on 26 March 2007, 10:47:31
Looks Great Mate, Look forward to seeing the end result :y
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: TheBoy on 26 March 2007, 12:48:03
Do you have to compromise to make it legal?
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: hotel21 on 26 March 2007, 14:45:25
Not sure what you are asking TB but if its the legality of using it on the road once complete, then all thats required (as far as I know) is that all Police insignia is covered such as the blue lights and any 'Police' wording.  The battenburg is OK to drive with.

HtH

B
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Omega VT3000 on 26 March 2007, 16:57:43
Quote
Not sure what you are asking TB but if its the legality of using it on the road once complete, then all thats required (as far as I know) is that all Police insignia is covered such as the blue lights and any 'Police' wording.  The battenburg is OK to drive with.

HtH

B

Sort of correct. As you can imagine I have looked in to this in some detail. As mentioned, the POLICE lettering has to be either removed or completely covered not just striped through with tape.

Everything else pertains to vehicle lighting regulations. Technically, the blue lights cannot be fitted, working or not and you cannot fit reflective material to the side of a vehicle unless you have a good reason to do so so I could still get done on a number of things but I think discretion has to be exercised and you do as much as you can to make it obvious that it is not in service.
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: hotel21 on 26 March 2007, 18:49:50
I based my comments on my experiences of how demonstrator and similar vehicles are transported throughout the UK other than on a transporter.  

If you get a chance to see, for instance, a Ford demonstrator vehicle it is fully battenburged with police markings and operational blue lights.  The crest on the door, however, is the standard Englandshire Police badge surrounded with 'Ford Demonstration Vehicle' or similar, rather than 'Somewhere Constabulary'.  

These vehicles have the roof bars covered with a tailor made white bag and the Police on bonnet and rear covered with a flexy magnetic blank when driven bt Ford employees and not in active police use.

Similar has also been done when police vehicles have been driven from their home constabulary to shows in the south of England or back to BMW for warranty replair.

Just my tuppence...  

Good looking project, by the way.  Theres always a market for working (ex) police vehicles for film and similar use, apparently.   :y
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: jimbo on 27 March 2007, 00:29:30
What's it like in the inside? Fitted with radios and light controls etc?
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Kev on 31 March 2007, 10:58:20
Looking good James.  :y

I see the old Lotus Carlton is still lurking about in your garage.  ;)

I wish i had a spin in it that time i was down there a few years back.
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Omega VT3000 on 01 April 2007, 21:38:02
Quote
What's it like in the inside? Fitted with radios and light controls etc?

At some point it will be as ad when I get the time and the parts.
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Omega VT3000 on 01 April 2007, 21:40:32
Quote
Looking good James.  :y

I see the old Lotus Carlton is still lurking about in your garage.  ;)

I wish i had a spin in it that time i was down there a few years back.

Sadly not, the makeover pics were taken back in 2005 and a lot has passed since then. The LC is still in the family but I now have a BMW that is almost as quick.
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: jimbo on 02 April 2007, 01:57:44
Quote
Quote
What's it like in the inside? Fitted with radios and light controls etc?

At some point it will be as ad when I get the time and the parts.

Pics please!

I'm trying to work out how to fit a CB radio into my 52 plate CDX without making the interior look like a complete dog's dinner...
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: amigov6 on 02 April 2007, 22:37:42
 :D Fun car. Did police spec come with alloys or did you put 'em on?
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Omega VT3000 on 03 April 2007, 15:23:44
Quote
Pics please!

I'm trying to work out how to fit a CB radio into my 52 plate CDX without making the interior look like a complete dog's dinner...

On my Polac, the radio was installed where the normal radio would be fitted. Plod don't have a lot of use for in car entertainment  ;D
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Omega VT3000 on 03 April 2007, 15:25:10
Quote
:D Fun car. Did police spec come with alloys or did you put 'em on?

Originally (starting in 94) they had steels with hub caps but latterly they had alloys. Most had the 16" CDX rims although this has the pre-facelift CD wheels.
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Omega VT3000 on 03 April 2007, 21:57:53
I spoke to the bodyshop today. They have painted the bumpers and the bonnet. One of the holes been welded up and the broken check strap mount on the A-pillar has been welded up. I should be getting it back Saturday week  :)
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Jim on 04 April 2007, 14:29:47
Quote
I spoke to the bodyshop today. They have painted the bumpers and the bonnet. One of the holes been welded up and the broken check strap mount on the A-pillar has been welded up. I should be getting it back Saturday week  :)
Look forward to seeing the finished item :y
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Omega VT3000 on 12 April 2007, 21:49:40
It's coming back on Saturday and the livery goes on next Thursday. I'l post pics at the weekend.
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Jim on 12 April 2007, 22:15:48
Quote
It's coming back on Saturday and the livery goes on next Thursday. I'l post pics at the weekend.
Can't wait to see it :y
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Markie on 14 April 2007, 22:24:52
yes its looking good - will be keen to see your pics at weekend  :y
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Omega VT3000 on 14 April 2007, 23:37:05
I have been busy today. Got up super early and headed over to Hertford (40+ miles) for 8am to start putting the beasty back together again. When I got there everything was shiny white instead of faded white and bits of silver.

(http://www.megaomega.co.uk/police_omega/images/070414_01.JPG)

Having spent the best part of four hours rebuilding, this is what I took home.

(http://www.megaomega.co.uk/police_omega/images/070414_02.JPG)

(http://www.megaomega.co.uk/police_omega/images/070414_03.JPG)

I spent the afternoon putting the newly painted front bumper on (I came home with the old one on the car) and started installing the light bar and some aerials. The livery goes on towards the back of next week  :)

(http://www.megaomega.co.uk/police_omega/images/070414_04.JPG)

(http://www.megaomega.co.uk/police_omega/images/070414_05.JPG)
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Jim on 14 April 2007, 23:39:54
Looks good mate, very clean :y
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: TheBoy on 15 April 2007, 10:33:32
Looking good :y
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: tunnie on 15 April 2007, 10:52:08
Looking great  :y

Whats the legal suitation on driving it? Does it have to be towed everyware on a low-loader?
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: TheBoy on 15 April 2007, 13:38:11
Quote
Whats the legal suitation on driving it? Does it have to be towed everyware on a low-loader?
Been covered a number of times before - do a search ;)
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: tunnie on 15 April 2007, 14:03:08
Quote
Quote
Whats the legal suitation on driving it? Does it have to be towed everyware on a low-loader?
Been covered a number of times before - do a search ;)

Sorry missed out on a number of threads  :-[
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Omega VT3000 on 19 April 2007, 22:58:15
The guy came out to fit the livery for me today. So the car is now largely cosmetically restored but there are a few things still to be done. The next major task will be the electrics!!

(http://www.megaomega.co.uk/police_omega/images/070419_01.JPG)

(http://www.megaomega.co.uk/police_omega/images/070419_02.JPG)

(http://www.megaomega.co.uk/police_omega/images/070419_03.JPG)

(http://www.megaomega.co.uk/police_omega/images/070419_04.JPG)

(http://www.megaomega.co.uk/police_omega/images/070419_05.JPG)

(http://www.megaomega.co.uk/police_omega/images/070419_06.JPG)
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Jim on 20 April 2007, 05:21:04
Looks Fantastic Mate :y

Are you putting the police county badges on to.
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Omega VT3000 on 20 April 2007, 05:49:12
Quote
Looks Fantastic Mate :y

Are you putting the police county badges on to.

No. All Police crests are subject to Crown Copyright and you would require the relevant Force's permission to use it. I have asked but, as you can understand, due to the security climate, I was not given permission. The point was that restoring a Police vehicle is one thing but having 'sponsorship' from the relevant Force is another.
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Big Rod on 20 April 2007, 10:24:35
Very good Jimmy boy!!

BTW, was the rest of the world up at that time this morning too?

I got a call out!! Wish I'd known we could've had a party!!
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Jim on 20 April 2007, 10:24:46
Quote
Quote
Looks Fantastic Mate :y

Are you putting the police county badges on to.

No. All Police crests are subject to Crown Copyright and you would require the relevant Force's permission to use it. I have asked but, as you can understand, due to the security climate, I was not given permission. The point was that restoring a Police vehicle is one thing but having 'sponsorship' from the relevant Force is another.
Ok mate's cheers
Pity, It looks great tho! :y
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: hotel21 on 20 April 2007, 11:20:32
Car looks good.

Wondering about the red asterix on the rear and on the bonnet?  I am unfamiliar with this - whats it for?

As regards the door crest - I am unaware to what extent you have researched the door crest situation (no doubt quite thoroughly, I would guess!! ) but have you seen or considered a crest similar to that one which Ford use for their demonstrator vehicles?

It is simply the standard English police crest with the wording 'Ford Police Demonstrator (Vehicle?) around the central part of the crest where the 'Anyshire Constabulary' wording would normally go.  It looks convincing enough from a few feet away, but that is a double jeopardy, I suppose!

I have tried a quick google to find an example but thus far, without luck.

HtH

B

Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: Jim on 20 April 2007, 23:46:52
Quote
Car looks good.

Wondering about the red asterix on the rear and on the bonnet?  I am unfamiliar with this - whats it for?

As regards the door crest - I am unaware to what extent you have researched the door crest situation (no doubt quite thoroughly, I would guess!! ) but have you seen or considered a crest similar to that one which Ford use for their demonstrator vehicles?

It is simply the standard English police crest with the wording 'Ford Police Demonstrator (Vehicle?) around the central part of the crest where the 'Anyshire Constabulary' wording would normally go.  It looks convincing enough from a few feet away, but that is a double jeopardy, I suppose!

I have tried a quick google to find an example but thus far, without luck.

HtH

B

 
I think the red asterix's are to show it's armed responce unit, I think ::)
Title: Re: Project Polac
Post by: T-E-P-V-R on 10 May 2007, 20:47:30
The astrerix do indeed indicate its an ARV. :)

James, Looks fantastic!  :y I may have to look at the kit as we spoke of today for my'n perhaps?? ::)

Good to meet you today! Small world!

Appologies about the naff response you initially got in the office. :(

I tried to explain our hobby but it fell on deaf ears...

regards

Paul