A Brief Overview Ford P3 Taunus 17M (1961-1963) U.S. Military Police Car European

#taunus #ford #classic

Ford P3 Taunus 17M (1961-1963)
U.S. Military Police Car

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The *Ford P3 Taunus 17M* (produced from 1960 to 1964, with the 1961–1963 period being peak years) was a mid-size family car built by Ford of Germany. It's often nicknamed the "**Badewanne**" ("bathtub") due to its curvy, rounded body shape.

Overview:
*Manufacturer:* Ford Germany (Ford-Werke GmbH)
*Production years:* 1960–1964
*Model:* 17M P3 (part of the Ford Taunus line)
*Engine options:* Inline-4 engines (ranging from 1.5L to 1.7L)
*Layout:* FR (front-engine, rear-wheel drive)
*Design:* Progressive for its time, with integrated headlights and a smooth, aerodynamic shape—very different from the American “finned” style of the 1950s.

As a U.S. Military Police Car:
During the Cold War era, especially in *West Germany**, U.S. forces often sourced local vehicles for logistical and patrol use. The Ford P3 Taunus 17M was one of the vehicles adapted for **U.S. Military Police (MP)* service.

#### Key Features as an MP Car:
*Livery:* Typically painted in black and white or olive drab, with "Military Police" markings and unit identifiers.
*Equipment:*
Roof-mounted sirens and red/blue or red dome lights.
Radio communication gear inside.
Possibly reinforced bumpers or upgraded suspension for patrol duty.
*Why used:* It was locally built, reliable, and cheaper to maintain in Europe than importing U.S. sedans.

Fun Facts:
The P3 was the *first German car* to be designed with the help of wind tunnel testing.
Though it shared the "17M" name, it was completely different from the earlier P2 and later P5 models.

Would you like photos or recreations of one in MP livery?

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