Former detective revisits rare police car at Cumbria museum

John Clark was reunited with the MGA Roadster, a car he first drove in his younger days in the 1960s, at the Lakeland Motor Museum.

The vehicle has historical significance, as it was one of the few MGs supplied to the Lancashire Constabulary for traffic patrol and training duties six decades ago.

Mr Clark in the MGA Roadster in 1962 (Image: John Clark)

Specifically, Mr Clark drove part of this fleet during his Advance Driver Training in 1962.

Reminiscing about his past, Mr Clark said: "They were happy days.

"It was a beautiful car back then and it’s still a beautiful car now.

"They had only just come out when I first got behind the wheel of one of them so they were brand new.

"It’s hard to believe they are now a museum piece – time flies."

Mr Clark retired as a chief superintendent in 1986 (Image: John Clark)

Originally from Lossiemouth in Scotland, Mr Clark joined the police force in 1956 following a dare with a friend.

Over the course of his career, Mr Clark worked as a senior detective and was awarded the Lancashire Constabulary's William Garnett Cup for Bravery.

He retired as a chief superintendent in Lancaster in 1986.

Mr Clark and the MGA Roadster at Lakeland Motor Museum (Image: Lakeland Motor Museum)

Mr Clark recalling the MGA Roadsters, said: "When we first arrived at the police driving school we saw all these officers sitting in them with their sunglasses on smiling.

"I was well over six feet tall so it was something of a squeeze to get in.

"But they were lovely cars to drive.

"It was a bit easier to get behind the wheel back then than it is now I'm in my 90s."

The Roadsters were considered fast for their time, capable of accelerating from 0-60mph in 12.2 seconds.

This was quick enough to keep up with lawbreaking motorists, despite the car's top speed being 110 mph and only managing 27 miles per gallon.

Mr Clark continued to serve his community after his retirement, acting as superintendent of Darwen Market for many years.

Serving in the police is somewhat of a family tradition; he met his wife, Megan, at the police regional training centre in Warrington, and their two sons and a daughter all went on to serve in the police force too.

On top of being a father, Mr Clark is also a grandad and a great-grandad.