On August 17th, 2017 the Chicago Bears held a special practice session at George Gattas Memorial Stadium at Prospect High School. Fortunately my wife was able to score us 4 tickets to the event which was awesome. The Bears went all out to make it about the fans.
This was a well coordinated event, we were able to park in the Mt. Prospect public garage and take a shuttle to the high school where we would be dropped off to watch the practice.
As we enter the parking structure you’re greeted with reserved signs for the first few parking levels. You get into that driving in a circle lull until you find an area you can park.
Imagine my excitement as I turned a corner and was greeted by…
A 1974 Dodge Monaco dressed as the Mt. Prospect P1 that would eventually make it’s way into the hands of one Elwood Blues and become the legendary Bluesmobile.
It’s fairly well documented that the 1974 Mt. Prospect police cars did not look like this, as they did not move toward the black and white paint scheme until ’75 or ’76. The Bluesmobile(s) started life as California Highway Patrol cars.
But through the years the Bluesmobile has become so closely associated with Mt. Prospect police cars and vice versa, the Mt. Prospect Historical Society commissioned a replica P1 to be made that would have looked the way it did prior to going to that fateful auction.
I couldn’t believe the car was just sitting there in a parking garage!!! Enjoy the pictures, while they are not the greatest, they were the best I could do with the lighting and the doors were locked (I tried them).
It was very cool to see it up close and in person.
I really love the fact that Mt. Prospect has encouraged the Blues Brothers connection with not only this car, but their weekly Bluesmobile cruise nights.
Hope you enjoyed the pics!
Until next time – Brian.
