14 DAY TRIAL // A fleet of classic police cars and motorbikes dating back to 1948 traveled through central London yesterday as they were moved to a new location.
The convoy rode from Hampton Court Traffic Garage through central London to their new home at Hendon Driving School. The Metropolitan Police's Historical Vehicle Fleet has been relocated because Hampton police station will be shut next month and sold off.
The procession was dubbed “Cop Gear” by the Met and included iconic police vehicles, like a 1948 Wolseley 18/85, which was used by police during the Queen's coronation, a 1970 Morris Minor 1000 and a 1973 Special Branch Rover P6.
The vehicles set off from Hampton Court Road at 10.30am, and passed some of London's most famous landmarks including Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park, before reaching their new home at Met's Peel Centre, Hendon, at around 3pm.
All the vehicles have been used to patrol London's streets and keep the city safe at some point during the last six decades.
The Standard informs that the collection cannot be visited at its new home, but the vehicles will be used in public events across London.
Detective Sergeant Phil Hames, who has handled the Historical Vehicle Collection for the last four years, says “These vehicles are much more than old bits of metal - they are the heritage of the Metropolitan Police Service and all Londoners.”
Historians, classic car enthusiasts, police officers and regular people gathered on this occasion to see the amazing parade.