History
1966 Holden HR Divisional Van
The Police divisional van, simply known as the "divvy van" was introduced in 1951. The term 'divisional van" originated from housing the vans at the Divisional Headquarter or 24-hour stations. The first were Dodge utilities fitted with canvas canopies. Despite numerous modifications over the years Police forces Australia-wide continue to use divvy vans with little changed from the originals. In 1960, there were only 16 divisional vans operating in the metropolitan area.
This vehicle was purchased new by the Victoria Police Transport Branch from Rhodes Motors in Melbourne, undergoing major cosmetic changes prior to being issued for service to the Seymour Police Station. No police decals where ever fitted to this vehicle and although it looks fairly standard, many police specification options were added to better serve the police. Once purchased these divvy vans would then go to get the partitions and rear door work done at Holstock & Jamieson Pty Ltd motor body works at 734 Elizabeth Street Melbourne near the Haymarket Junction but are now no longer in operation. In the 1960's the Police Workshop at the Russell street garage was too small for these types of vehicle modification and Dawson Street was only used for parking police vehicle.
This vehicle was fitted with a re calibrated speedo that had a finer point needle to help indicate the correct speed of other vehicles. On the roof is a blue strobe light and aerial to run the two way radio and a spot light fitted to the inner left hand kick panel which were all operated from the switches on the center of the dash. Security grille mesh was fitted to all rear compartment windows with an internal light and a two person bench seat with a roof ventilation system. The rear tailgate was replaced with a single opening door with two catches enabling police officers to padlock the door after offenders where placed inside. The side windows are also unique to this vehicle as they are able to be opened internally and of course there's the very loud coffee grinder siren fitted to the center of the bonnet. Finished in light blue this vehicle looks much like any other panel van used on the roads back in the '60s but the paint is a distinctive colour only issued to Victorian Police called "Sky Mist Blue".
Original Vehicle Owner was the Victorian Police Transport Branch stationed in Seymour 29/08/67 to 21/10/68:
The GMH Dealer that sold this divvy van was Rhodes Motors located in Elizabeth Street Melbourne. The Victorian Police purchased the vehicle new for $1247.85 and it was first registered on the 29th of August 1967 and remained in service up until 21st of October 1968, travelling 26,729 miles.
On the 21st of October 1968 Melford Motors, purchased the vehicle as a trade in for a new Falcon divvy van for $970.45.
The current owner has owned this vehicle since early 2002 and he has meticulously restored it back to its original Victorian Police specification.
This very unique HR Holden divvy van is in remarkable condition for its age and is certainly a unique piece of Australian History. Now only used for club events and personal use. It's not often vehicles of this sort remain intact with all their original period fittings.
