There are some things worthy of note in the photos...

1) Note the 2 color dome on the Beacon Ray light -

this was common ! on most police cruisers until the

late '60's or early '70's.

2) Note the registration plate. I think the plates

were good for 2 years back then, and they were made of

steel, so that it was a real chore to change the

plates, because of the rust on both the plates and,

the nuts and bolts that attached them. when they

expired.

3) Note the low band whip antenna was the ONLY antenna

on the cruiser, as they only had 1 radio, and no

stereo, not even an AM radio !!

4) Note that this was the last year for the "STATE

POLICE" lettering on the hood. Starting with the '66

models, the "STATE POLICE" lettering was relocated to

the front fenders, which made the cruisers much easier

to spot for the lead foot drivers, like me, back in

the day. Also, no roof numbers, yet.

5) None of the MSP cruisers in this era had either air

conditioning or power steering. The rear window

defroster was a blower instead of electric.

6) Note the driver's door mirror. This was a Ford

design option that dated back to the '40's, as door

mirrors had not been required by the Federal

government at this time, yet.

7) The only warning lights other than the Beacon Ray,

were the four way hazard flashers, which were a

special option that were not required on civilian

vehicles until 1966. Wig - w! ags had not been

invented yet, just high beam headlights, day or night.

This was also the last year that MSP used the old

under hood electric "wind up" sirens. The electronic

siren/ pa systems were ordered beginning with the '66

models.

8) Note the station wagons - some were still being

ordered until '91 or '92 ( Chevy ).

9) Not shown - I remember seeing a small number of

'65 Dodge Coronet 2 door Blue Birds with, I think,

383c.i. engines. One of the Dodge dealers must have

been awarded part of the bid that year. This was also

the ere prior to the take home cruisers, so that the

vehicles were traded just about every year or two, at

the most. It was common to see the odometers with

under 60,000 miles back then, when it came time to

trade ( also, before the auctions came into being).

10) Note the backup lights - these were an extra cost

option until 1966, when the Federal government made

them a requirement.