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‘Purple police car’ on the auction block

July 2, 2015 by Methow Valley News

Photo by Don Nelson Bidding for the 1977 Pontiac Trans-Am starts at $5,000.
Photo by Don Nelson

Bidding for the 1977 Pontiac Trans-Am starts at $5,000.

In its own weird way, Winthrop’s “purple police car” has a place in the town’s history.

If owning a bit of history — or what many consider a classic auto collector’s item — is appealing, the town is willing to sell it to you.

The 1977 Pontiac Trans-Am 400 hardtop coupe — also known as the “DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) car,” appeared in local parades but was notable for being parked near the ball field in Winthrop with a manikin in the driver’s seat, intended to deter speeders. It often worked. Tourists also liked having their picture taken with it.

But recently, the car was seen as more of an amusement than a deterrent, and it hasn’t been stationed at the ball field for quite a while.

The town has set a minimum bid of $5,000 for the car, which has 62,500 miles on its odometer. Sealed bids for the car must be received at Town Hall by noon on July 22. For more information, call 996-2320.

Filed Under: NEWS Tagged With: Winthrop Marshal's Office

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