The land of sunshine and oranges, long beaches and renowned theme parks, is also a state with many miles of rural highways. Responsible for safety on these motorways is the Florida Highway Patrol, which falls under the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The Department was created in 1939 as the Department of Public Safety and was renamed in 1970. The Highway Patrol is one of four divisions in the department and it is further divided into three commands: Field Operations, Law Enforcement Services and Special Operations.

Originally, there were 60 uniformed officers when the force was created in 1939, but the size and responsibilities of the force have increased considerably. Today, the Florida Highway Patrol boasts 1,735 members in uniform and 473 civilian support personnel. There is also a reserve force of 20 volunteers who have the authority to make an arrest and carry arms, but who receive no compensation. Working in a state with considerable tourism, many retirees and long stretches of highway, it is the Florida Highway Patrol who makes sure that those traveling on Florida's highways are as safe as possible and that traffic on those roads moves safely and efficiently.

Now, the pride of the Florida Highway Patrol is brought to life in a handsome die-cast recreation of a 1966 Ford Fairlane . The model captures the distinctive character of an American classic. Complete with a blue roof light, spotlights, realistic police wheels and official Florida Highway Patrol graphics, your Florida Highway Patrol 1966 Ford Fairlane is produced by - and available only from - Matchbox Collectibles.

(2000)

Scale: 1:43