Otto the talking car.
July 23, 2017
The Safety and Educational Center, free to all, was a delightful and interesting hour spent in Jefferson City, Missouri and home of Otto, the talking car. Otto is a replica of a 1931 Model A Ford Roadster, outfitted in 1969, with a giant cartoon State Trooper head. 36 Model A Ford Roadsters were assigned to the State Highway Patrol in 1931 at a cost of $431.00 each. Every vehicle had 2 horns, a spotlight, a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a lighted “PATROL” sign. There were no sirens or heat and the Troopers were told to drive with the top down, weather permitting.
1942 Chevrolets, assigned to the Troopers were the first to have “State Patrol “printed on the sides. At that time, the US was in the midst of WWII and few cars were being built.
Thus the Patrol cars were driven in excess of 100,000 miles and no parts were available for repairs.
Vintage Highway Patrol dispatch and communication command center.
Cattle rustling is still a crime and still active today.
The museum also has informational displays regarding traffic and train safety, drinking and driving, the self destructive use drug abuse, a few Bonnie and Clyde artifacts, a memorial wall of the 31 troopers who died in the line of duty since 1931 when the Mo State Highway Patrol was founded and much more. I highly recommend stopping by this museum if you are in the area.
Thanks for reading!
Hope you enjoyed!
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