Help Restore Arcadia's Classic Police Cruiser

The Arcadia Police Department's 1959 Ford Galaxy 500 cruiser has become a staple at just about every event in town; It made an appearance at the City's birthday bash in August and the Taste of Arcadia in September.

"It's certainly a crowd pleaser," Arcadia Historical Society President Gene Glasco said, laughing. "I was driving it the other day and people were whipping out their cell phones."

The police department bought the cruiser in 1959 and retired it in 1962 before auctioning it off. Years later, a retired Arcadia police officer happened to come across the car in Arizona, bought it and brought it back home. It has been an iconic part of city celebrations ever since.

Now, the vehicle that has served our city so well needs your help.

While the cruiser is operable and in good shape given its age, it needs new tires, new electrical wiring for the headlights and the horn, the suspension needs reworking and some of the custom-made dashboard knobs need replacing.

"A few people have taken interest in it, but it really has kind of fallen into a state of disrepair," Glasco said of the car. "It's a work in progress."

Enter the Historical Society, which has started a GoFundMe account in the hopes of scraping togther enough funds for the car's preservation and upkeep. So far, the society has raised $440. Still, the society has quite a ways to go to reach its goal of $2,500.

If you have the money to spare and want to make a donation, click here.