11 Historic German Police Cars, From Lamborghinis to VWs

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This 1930 Horch 400 squad car is the oldest in the exhibit. It was one of the first motorized police cars in the country. Audi Museum

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At the other end of the modernity spectrum is the Lamborghini Gallardo Polizei, one of the fastest police cars in the world. Audi Museum

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An Auto Union 1000 S from 1963 used by the Münster highway patrol. Audi Museum

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The Hanomag L 28 GruKW, or "Gruppenkraftwagen" (Group Car) was made in 1959. Audi Museum

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This 1964 Porsche 356 was used by the German highway patrol, naturally. Audi Museum

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A more modern Audi A4 Avant from 2005. Audi Museum

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A 1949 Volkswagen Type 18 A, sometimes called a Polizei Cabriolet. It was freezing during the winter, but the lack of doors made entry and exit easier. Audi Museum

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This 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco is the newest car in the exhibit. Audi Museum

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The Lamborghini Gallardo with the Scirocco in the background. Audi Museum

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This is the only remaining NSU Prinz 4 in Germany. It dates to 1964. Audi Museum

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A 1983 Wartburg 353 W, used by the national police force in the former German Democratic Republic. Audi Museum

Police cars are fascinating. For those young and old, when a police car goes screaming by, lights and siren running, people stop to look. Maybe it’s because we wonder where they’re rushing to, or just becuase they’re cool, in and of themselves. Modern rides from Ford and Dodge and Chevrolet (at least in America) are neat and chock-full of technology, while departments around the world have stuck their livery on a surprising number of supercars.

But there’s something to be said for the squad cars of old, too. That’s why the Audi Museum in Ingolstadt, Germany, has gathered 14 historic, mostly German police cars for a special exhibit. They include the 1930 Horch 400, one of the first motorized cop rides in the country, the 1971 Audi 100 from 1971, supplied to German highway patrols, and a Volkswagen Typ 18 A from 1947. There are some newer cars too, like a 2005 Audi A4 Avant. Even a 500 horsepower Lamborghini Gallardo Polizia makes an appearance.

Have a look through the gallery above for some of our favorites, or, if you find yourself in Germany, head over to Ingolstadt before August 30, 2015 to see the exhibit in person.