Miami-Dade County

Police cars in Miami used to look like that? See photos of them in action, on the road

Miami-Dade County police cars in the motor pool in 1959.
Miami-Dade County police cars in the motor pool in 1959. Bill Kuenzel Miami Herald File

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Looking back at old Miami

Photos and memories of the way South Florida used to look: its streets, stores, events and people.

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Today’s police cars are sleek Dodge chargers or Ford SUVs, fitted with blinding strobe lights.

That wasn’t always the case.

Yesterday’s police vehicles in the Miami area were big and bulky, and fitted with a single revolving light or a light bar. Some were even purple, like those in Miami Shores and Surfside.

Want to see the old police cars that once patrolled our roads?

Here’s a look from the Miami Herald archives:

MIAMI BEACH

A classic Miami Beach Police patrol car is driven down Ocean Drive during the annual Veterans Day parade in 2021.
A classic Miami Beach Police patrol car is driven down Ocean Drive during the annual Veterans Day parade in 2021. Sam Navarro Miami Herald File

SURFSIDE

Surfside police guard the entrance to the beach at 96th Street in 1994.
Surfside police guard the entrance to the beach at 96th Street in 1994. Donna E. Natale Planas Miami Herald File

MIAMI-DADE

Officers at a investigate a 1990 robbery in Miami-Dade County.
Officers at a investigate a 1990 robbery in Miami-Dade County. Raul Rubiera Miami Herald File


Miami-Dade police cars assemble near Coral Reef Drive in the 1960s.
Miami-Dade police cars assemble near Coral Reef Drive in the 1960s. Miami Herald File
A Miami-Dade police car.
A Miami-Dade police car. Miami Herald File

NORTH MIAMI BEACH

Police cars in North Miami Beach in 1981.
Police cars in North Miami Beach in 1981. Carol Guzy Miami Herald File

MIAMI

In the 1960s through the mid-1980s, Miami police cars were plain white with green letters.
In the 1960s through the mid-1980s, Miami police cars were plain white with green letters. Miami Herald File


In 1965, a Miami police car in position at the Dominican Consulate on Brickell Avenue in Miami.
In 1965, a Miami police car in position at the Dominican Consulate on Brickell Avenue in Miami. John Pineda Miami Herald File


An officer at a Miami police car in 1977.
An officer at a Miami police car in 1977. Miami Herald File


Police cars line up in Miami in the 1980s.
Police cars line up in Miami in the 1980s. Robin Cohen Miami Herald
A crime scene technician works around a car that was involved in a shooting by a Miami police officer in 1985.
A crime scene technician works around a car that was involved in a shooting by a Miami police officer in 1985. Michel DuCille Miami Herald File

HIALEAH

In 1980, a Hialeah police officer shows a city squad car with a sign for jobs available in English on one side and Spanish on the other.
In 1980, a Hialeah police officer shows a city squad car with a sign for jobs available in English on one side and Spanish on the other. Keith Graham Miami Herald File


An Hialeah police officer officer checks out a new Fort LTD patrol car in 1988.
An Hialeah police officer officer checks out a new Fort LTD patrol car in 1988. Peter Andrew Bosch Miami Herald File

MIAMI SPRINGS

A Miami Springs patrol car that was stole and dished out of a canal.
A Miami Springs patrol car that was stole and dished out of a canal. Bruce Gilbert Miami Herald File


WEST MIAMI

In 1979, West Miami police cars and officers controlling traffic on Southwest Eighth Street ad 57th Avenue.
In 1979, West Miami police cars and officers controlling traffic on Southwest Eighth Street ad 57th Avenue. Bob East Miami Herald File


CORAL GABLES

In 1983, Coral Gables officers show off new and older city police cars.
In 1983, Coral Gables officers show off new and older city police cars. Trish Robb Miami Herald File


MIAMI SHORES

A Miami Shores police officer shows off a new white car that replaced a fleet of purple ones in 1999.
A Miami Shores police officer shows off a new white car that replaced a fleet of purple ones in 1999. Peter Andrew Bosch Miami Herald File


MIRAMAR

A robotic dog drives a miniature Miramar police car next to a real one.
A robotic dog drives a miniature Miramar police car next to a real one. Miami Herald File


HOLLYWOOD

A Hollywood police car in the 1990s.
A Hollywood police car in the 1990s. Marsha Halper Miami Herald File


BROWARD SHERIFF

A Broward sheriff’s patrol car on the scene of an arson in 1999.
A Broward sheriff’s patrol car on the scene of an arson in 1999. Miami Herald File

This story was originally published August 5, 2023 at 10:07 AM.

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Jeff Kleinman
Miami Herald
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Consumer Team Editor Jeff Kleinman oversees coverage for health, shopping, real estate, tourism and recalls/scams/fraud.
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Looking back at old Miami

Photos and memories of the way South Florida used to look: its streets, stores, events and people.

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