Return to Videos

The NSW Historic Police Museum: Classic Restos - Series 53

By Shannons - Published on 21 July 2023

Tony Fitzgerald is a collector and historian who is passionate about the New South Wales police force. His career began in the early 1980s as an apprentice panel beater at the government motor garage. It was there where he repaired vehicles that belonged to the New South Wales police force, which sparked his interest in their history.

Throughout the last 38 years, Tony has built up a collection of New South Wales Police Force memorabilia and ex-police vehicles to preserve their history. He and a few partners showcase their impressive private collections at various events to support the police force. The collection includes historical police vehicles, uniforms, station equipment, and other irreplaceable artifacts. Seeing these marked and unmarked vehicles brings back great memories, as they were the cars our families and friends drove daily.

The NSW Police collection consists of 56 cars and 24 bikes, representing some of the finest vehicles used by the police force. Some of the cars in the collection include a 1971 Ford XY 351 GT Spec, which is capable of 140 mph and was widely used as a highway patrol car, a 1979 5.8-litre V8 Ford XD Falcon, a 1973 LJ Torana XU1, and the CL & VH Charger police cars.

Tony's collection is impressive, with approximately 330 cars and bikes currently housed in two separate locations. Plans are underway to construct a state-of-the-art facility on the current site to house the complete NSW Historic Police Museum, along with Tony's and his partner's private collection.

The NSW Historic Police Museum is not open to the public and requires an invitation to visit. It is the private domain of Tony Fitzgerald, who supports the NSW Police at events throughout the year with his collection and another fantastic discovery by Fletch.

Comments

Drag photos here
  • PonyRider

    PonyRider

    G'day Fletch, Tony is such a dedicated collector, I was amazed.
    Some rare vehicles in the building. I even noticed an Isuzu Bellet
    on a hoist ~ you don't see them anymore. A Wankel Rotary Bike!

    I would offer to mind that Blue XY 5.8 GT spec Ford while they build the new Museum. Great Episode Fletch, such a diverse selection of quality cars, Police vehicles in particular.

    Thank You Again mate, stay happy, PonyRider

  • Blinkie1

    Blinkie1

    Hello Fletch, Tony's Police museum is going to be one out of the bag given what he has done thus far. He certainly sounds a very dedicated young man and right for the job. Thanks for sharing this Fletch.
    And don't get caught either, speeding! Keep well mate.
    Cheers
    Blinkie1

  • DavidBurrell

    DavidBurrell

    Excellent episode Fletch. The police cars and the Japanese cars are stunning.