---

    Squad 51 was a 1972 Dodge D300 1 ton with specialised body. Universal had two of these. One was furnished by Chrysler (as per credits in the show) the other was a unit from the LA County Fleet. Squad 10 (featured in the pilot) was a 1969 Dodge 1 ton. These two vehicles had all the fittings as the real squads at the time did, but the Motorola Interceptor radio with 51’s was never switched on. We also see a 1969 Dodge in "Mascot" "Botulism" and also in "Nurses Wild". The 1969 Dodge has a centre hood depression and on each side has louvers. The 1972 Dodge’s hood is more "flat" Of interest to fans is that the Dodge Squad 51 was not an actual member of the LA County fleet but was set up as a look alike. It’s this vehicle that is the star of Project 51.

    The other item that sets Squad 51 (1972) from Squad 51 (1969-70) is the unmistakable grille. The Dodge 1972 model had the "slit grille" which featured lots of chrome. The 1969 Dodge featured a " quartered bar" grille that also had the turn lights set into the lower left and lower right quadrants. Below the white quartered bar grille were slots for additional cooling air for the radiator. This from a distance causes the 1969 Dodge to have a top "long" grille, and a lower "short" grille. This becomes apparent as the two-model year Dodges are used interchangeably in the
first season, even on the same run.

    We see the Squad from all sides inside and out, and with Johnny tinkering with the tape idea inside the cab; we get pretty close to the dash, and also close to the engine compartment. We also get to see how strong the hood is as Roy accidentally forgets John is still head down over the engine when Roy drops the hood on Gage.

    Squad 51 featured the trademark Federal Twinsonic Light bar and electronic siren. In later episodes a European "highlow" two tone enhanced intersection siren is heard. This featured a separate air compressor mated to two air horns. LA County experimented with this set-up in real rigs, but it became unreliable and was never replaced.

    The radio aboard the Squad is a Motorola Interceptor VHF radio used at the time by many fire and police departments. (It’s also used on Adam-12).

    Squad 51 was retired after the series ended and spent her days at the LA County Department museum. She made an appearance at an Emergency! get together in 1998. She’s about to move from her present home to a new one at the Smithsonian TV Museum in Washington D.C. to arrive there in May 2000.

    Word was that the squad, which was used quite a bit in the show, was a bit rough around the edges and because of it, she’s currently undergoing fitting out and getting ready for her trip to the Smithsonian. She’ll rest there, and then after a year she’ll be driven back to retire at the LACoFD museum.