Mars Spectrasystem VIDEO added 2/18/16!

[tsquale]

Got this in today just in time to snap some pictures and run to work. Thankfully, I paid for UPS to pack and ship which was pricey but worth it. It came double boxed with a solid four inches of bubble wrap on top of the three layers of foam wrap.

Twin rotators, twin "888s", and rear flashers. No speaker installed but the bracket is there. The stickers are in good condition as are the endcaps. The rear of the domes were painted black and the top of one dome silver. New domes are from Rick Osbon (INSTLR60).

Video and photos from 02/18/2016:

Original photos:

 

[7d9_z28]

Do you have any history on it? What dept it was used for or what vehicle?

 

[tsquale]

Unfortunately, I do not. It came from Des Plaines, Illinois, so that is my starting point to figure it out.

EDIT: Bellwood, Illinois

 

[ERIC6913]

Nice, I like it!

 

[u387962]

I believe this is one of the LaGrange Park PD bars and don't get rid of the dome with the silver top as that is one of the originals that came from Mars when new. All the future replacement domes were clear on top. This was a sun shield so the lights would not be washed out by sunlight during the day similar to the early FS JetSonic domes with the black top sun shield that was eventually eliminated also.

 

[tsquale]

I believe this is one of the LaGrange Park PD bars and don't get rid of the dome with the silver top as that is one of the originals that came from Mars when new. All the future replacement domes were clear on top. This was a sun shield so the lights would not be washed out by sunlight during the day similar to the early FS JetSonic domes with the black top sun shield that was eventually eliminated also.

I believe you are correct! Found this photo of LaGrange from a google search. Credit to Greg Reynolds / Copcardotcom. EDIT: Not LaGrange...see below for actual car!

 

[ERIC6913]

The Beat tag number is also a great addition and bonus in helping you figuring out where it was from.

 

[JennyCop]

"888's"" not "Stingers" lol thats Code 3 lingo. I love Spectra systems, they are so bulky. Does it have the colored filters going all the way around? Even on the black out area? He is correct about the silver tops! Many Illinois Dept's ran Mar's lights, that LaGrange unit doesn't have a "301" style beat tag on it so I'm not convinced. Super nice find Tony, great condition too! Those blue filters and endcap labels are truly the icing on the cake. I am very happy it made it to you safely I was cringing and crossing my fingers ever since you mentioned you bought it.

 

[tsquale]

It does have colored filters all the way around (at least it appears to). I hope to tear in to it on my next day off, which is Friday.

 

[u387962]

LaGrange Park FD vehicles are currently marked with a four digit ID in 1200 series but back in the day (80's and very early 90's) the were marked with a three digit ID starting at 300. Many of the PD bars were used at the FD when the squads were updated with newer light bars which would explain why they rear of the bar was blacked out as it was most likely used on a box ambulance of the day. Prior to the Mars bars being used the village used a mixture of Federal twinsonics, Unity RV's and Code 3 bars.

 

[801]

Wow, very nice find.

 

[Benno]

Nice Bar!

I would say it came from the Bellwood PD
http://public.fotki.com/copcardotcom/photographs_of_greg/fgs/illinois_police/il-bellwood-police.html
http://public.fotki.com/copcardotcom/photographs_of_greg/fgs/illinois_police/mars-002.html#media

 

[tsquale]

Nice Bar!

I would say it came from the Bellwood PD
http://public.fotki.com/copcardotcom/photographs_of_greg/fgs/illinois_police/il-bellwood-police.html
http://public.fotki.com/copcardotcom/photographs_of_greg/fgs/illinois_police/mars-002.html#media

Ding ding ding! I think we have a winner! It appears to have the ID plate attached in the photo and everything

 

[tsquale]

Another photo I found with google of it. Credit to Greg Reynolds / Copcardotcom

 

[u387962]

I would have to agree! Good catch!

 

[Benno]

... No speaker installed but the bracket is there. ... I'll update with more pictures and video when possible...

Some detail pictures of the speaker-bracket would be great.
It's missing in my spectrasystem and I have no clue how it looks.

 

[JennyCop]

Told ya it wasn't LaGrange! That Bellwood catch is totally awesome! Good eye Benno! Tony I would print those pics and frame them next to the bar.

 

[Scoot163]

The bar was extra special on its own, but to have pictures of it in service back in the day makes it beyond words! Amazing collectible. Jenny is right, frame those pictures and make it a centerpiece of your collection.

 

[jph2]

What a super great find! That bar is in amazing condition, even with the blacked out lenses. And how awesome is it this community helped track down its inservice life? I'd give double double thumbs up if only I had more than two hands!

 

[7d9_z28]

I see my question was answered, lol! Nice!

 

[tsquale]

Here are some photos of it opened up. I was surprised at how dirty it is and how sloppy the wiring looks. Also surprised to find the Mars tag from Bellwood, Ill and to find that the rear flashers have red filters on both sides. Everything works and now I have something to clean up while I wait for the domes.

 

[lotsofbars]

Somehow I like the old, beat up and sloppy bars even more than NOS finds. Gives a great idea of its history and something nice to work on.

 

[Mars Light]

Yes, thats the spirit of our hobby. Find an vintage lightbar, become familiar with the technology and restore it.

 

[Skulldigger]

That tag is a great souvenir, not many of those around I bet. Cool looking light for sure. Looks heavy too.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Very nice and, relatively speaking, it looks pretty clean to me given its age. Can't wait to see it restored!

 

[tsquale]

Today will be cleaning day. Need coffee first though. Photos to follow later.

 

[JennyCop]

I am so jealous of your find Tony, it just keeps getting better and better! You totally need to get that Bellwood tag laminated! This bar is full of history.

 

[tsquale]

Here are some pictures post cleaning part one. The domes will be for sale once the NOS ones arrive OK.

 

[Maxim2Eng]

Always thought the color inserts was a cool idea. Great find with a cool back story to boot!

 

[motorolamaniac]

Really nice find there and a very unique bar!

 

[TDC]

I believe you are correct! Found this photo of LaGrange from a google search. Credit to Greg Reynolds / Copcardotcom.

Cool. I have 228 and 229.

 

[tsquale]

Video added to original post! New domes arrived and look awesome!

 

[jph2]

That video is fantastic! What an awesome bar! The new lenses make it look brand new. And I didn't realize the front PARs oscillated, which is really cool! That has got to be one of the top 10 finds, imho.

 

[Skulldigger]

What a cool lightbar.. I like the combo rotators and oscillators !

 

[tsquale]

That video is fantastic! What an awesome bar! The new lenses make it look brand new. And I didn't realize the front PARs oscillated, which is really cool! That has got to be one of the top 10 finds, imho.

Thank you! Yes, they are essentially 888s just without the housing. A guy on one of the Facebook groups believes that Bellwood original had the rear flashers alternating. Looking at the flasher more closely, I believe the relay was replaced at one time so he could be right.

 

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

Very Nice

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Wow, a lot going on simultaneously and those triple 8's are dazzling! Beautiful job cleaning her up and the new lenses look great.

 

[tsquale]

Yes, a lot to look at! I have decided not paint the dome tops silver like the original. I really enjoy being able to show people the inner workings through the top of the dome.

 

[JennyCop]

It's breathtaking Tony! Love it!

 

[JohnMarcson]

Video and photos from 02/18/2016:

I wish I could press "like" a few more times for that video. Awesome bar.