METROPOLITAN POLICE AREA CAR, JAGUAR MK2 3.4, SUU 441F, IN RESTORATION, PRESERVATION AND SERVICE.

During the 1960s Jaguar produced a Police Special of both the MK2 and the S Type saloons. Whilst most Police forces favoured the MK2 the Metropolitan Police bought the S Type with over 300 delivered, making it the largest ever Police order up to that date, or since!. 

Although similar to the standard model the 3.4 litre Police Special had over 200 modifications which included such items as a low ratio differential, up rated suspension and brakes and a much changed interior. Luxury items like the polished walnut veneer on the dash and door cappings were removed in favour of a lower quality wood, stained in black. 

There were no arm rests or door pockets and the deep pile carpet was replaced with rubber matting. Although intended to make the cars seem less luxurious, it is likely these changes actually added to the cost of these Police specification models. It is not known which Police Station this particular car served at but its roof mounted spot lamps and modified boot floor identifies it as an ‘AE’ (Acci

This particular car was derelict when discovered by its current owner in a Sussex wood yard in 1997. Externally, nearly all clues to its original use were gone – it had been poorly painted light blue and wore a black vinyl roof. However, upon closer examination many original features, such as the single driving lamp and the Police specification interior, were still present. 

The biggest difficulty was that the car had lost its original registration number and without it the restoration was pointless. However the cars Police fleet number was found chalked inside the glove box and from that the Metropolitan Police Museum were able to trace the registration number back to SUU 441F.  A full restoration ensued which was only completed at the end of 2013. This car retains a

The cars served alongside and then replaced the Wolseley 6/110 on Area car duties and in this role they were painted in the traditional black colour still used by most Police forces at the time. The Met also ordered white versions for Traffic car duties – the first white patrol cars for the force.