Westport Police Restore Throwback Cruiser With Big Help

Westport residents showing up for the town's Fourth of July parade might have thought they went back in time. Featured in the parade was a new crowd favorite: a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.

The Westport Police Department has teamed up with local businesses to restore cruiser 211 to its former glory.

Thirteen years ago, car 211 was the pride of Westport Police Department's limited fleet. That same year, Ford ended production of the Crown Victoria for both police and civilians, which makes the restoration of Westport's car 211 even more special.

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The remodeling process back to its original look was made possible thanks to generous donations from Distinctive Auto Body, Diman Regional Vocational-Technical High School and Signature Signs.

Distinctive Auto Body donated parts, paint and materials, which were given to Diman. The shop students donated the paint job, and Signature Signs printed and installed the old-school graphics.

Thanks to the collaboration between the school and local businesses, the community rallied together to extend the life of this throwback Westport cruiser.

While the Crown Vic's appearance in Westport's Independence Day parade has certainly created a buzz, the cruiser has a long way to go before it is an official antique.

According to Massachusetts state law, "an 'antique motor car' is any motor vehicle over 25 years old maintained solely for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades and other functions of public interest."

That means Westport's Crown Vic cruiser will have to wait until the year 2036 to be deemed a true antique.