How one man’s passion for classic cars recreated an icon of RCMP history
By Patricia Vasylchuk
People and culture
Piccott purchased the original Pennsylvania State Police patrol vehicle from a friend in 1994.
Image by George Piccott
October 10, 2025
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When retired RCMP constable, and life-long car enthusiast, George Piccott rolled up his sleeves to begin restoring a mid-century classic car, he didn't expect that 30 years later it would be an icon of RCMP history – especially because it was never actually an RCMP vehicle.
The 1956 Ford Mainline was originally used by the Pennsylvania State Police for patrol. After being auctioned off in 1978, it went through two owners before Piccott bought it from a friend in 1994 for $10,000. It was still in its original condition with Pennsylvania door decals, siren, emergency lights, and insignias.
"Since I was a young boy, I was fascinated with cars," he says. "Restoring classic cars has been more than a hobby for me – it's been a lifelong passion. And, I'd had a lot of cars but the '56 Ford – that's the one that stood out in my mind."
As an RCMP officer, Piccott thought that having a restored RCMP vehicle would be a fantastic prop in his work in community engagement. So, after getting RCMP approval to use it as a prop in his policework in community engagement, Piccott poured 14 months and $15,000 into restoring it into a fully-functional RCMP police highway patrol interceptor. When it was finished it was an exact replica of those used by the organization in Alberta during the fifties on highway patrol.
Searching for stainless steel
Expectedly, restoring the patrol car came with challenges, starting with finding the correct replacement moldings.
"The police cars driven by the RCMP in Canada were 1956 Ford Customlines – a higher-end model than the Mainlines driven in the States," says Piccott. "One of the first things I observed was that the Pennsylvania vehicle had no stainless accessories; the Customlines came with chrome."
After a relentless search, Piccott discovered a salvage yard in Limestone, Maine that was once an airport where United States military members had abandoned their vehicles after leaving for, and never returning from, the Vietnam war. And there, on his 50th birthday, Piccott found the missing stainless mouldings.
Loud and clear
The radio that came with the car was in good condition but wasn't working until an RCMP employee from the radio shop at Halifax RCMP headquarters donated new parts and brought it to life. Sometime after the restoration was complete, Piccott drove former commissioner Philip Murray from the airport to Halifax headquarters in the vintage car.
"I remember him saying, "Does the radio work?" I said, "Oh, yeah." So, he took the mic, and he called Cole Harbor detachment and said, 'This is Car 54, can you hear me?' and they did, and it was as clear as a bell," recollects Piccott about the trip.
"I recall fondly the surprise airport pickup," Murray told the Gazette in an email. "It was clear that the restoration was a labour of love for George; he was rightly proud of the pristine condition of the vehicle. A great memory from good times past."
Many others donated parts to make the project come together. A fender light and decals were gifted by RCMP employees, a siren from the Dartmouth Fire Department in Nova Scotia, and a spotlight for the roof from the fire department in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia.
Car with a cause
After a fresh coat of black and white, and a final polish, the beauty was ready for duty. Piccott first showed the remodelled car at the Halifax Metro Centre on March 31, 1995, in Nova Scotia. When he had extra time, he would also display it in parades and car shows.
But, in 1995 Piccott realized he couldn't devote the same amount of time to showing the Customline as he did before, and he decided to sell it. That same year, the RCMP offered him $13,000 for it.
"I thought, "That's the answer," because to sell it to anybody else, I would have to remove everything from it that had to do with the RCMP: lights, stickers, emblems. It would be just a '56 Ford, and I didn't want that to happen," says Piccott, adding that it wasn't the money that mattered to him most. "It was about being in the RCMP and having a part in bringing back a part of history, and that's what made me proud."
The RCMP took the Customline on a maritime tour with the youth program Racing Against Drugs to promote awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. Piccott was invited to tour with the Program and would often dress up in costume to entertain children.
"If you ever see a picture of safety bear playing an accordion, that's me – I was the only one in history to do that," says Piccott beaming. "They said to me, "You can't talk while you're in there," and I told them, "I can't see either."
In 2017, the car was moved to RCMP National Headquarters (NHQ) in Ottawa and displayed in the lobby as a symbol of the RCMP's rich history of policing across Canada.
Reuniting with the maker
Piccott retired in 2002 after more than 19 years as a constable and multiple acting-sergeant positions. During his time with the RCMP he worked in criminal investigations, homicide, and community engagement in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Coal Harbour, Nova Scotia, Ottawa, Ontario, and Grand Falls, Newfoundland.
At the end of June 2025, Piccott and his daughter flew to RCMP NHQ from Nova Scotia, to have one last look at his labour of love. Upon his arrival, he was met by RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme and nearly the entire RCMP executive committee, who requested to meet Piccott when they heard of the visit.
Image by Martine Chenier, RCMP
"I love to connect with people, especially retired members," said Duheme shaking Piccott's hand. "And, especially that you've donated your time and your money to restore a piece of our history and I think that's important."
"Oh gosh, I was blown away," says Piccott about the unexpected reception. He beamed as he strode up to the police interceptor in a red RCMP polo shirt and lifted the hood.
"Don't break anything," Duheme joked.
After Piccott's informal inspection, the two men spent nearly an hour in Duheme's office bonding over their love of music in Nashville, discussing changing technology, and swapping tales of their shared experiences at Depot.
"What George has shared with me today about his love for the organization, it hasn't changed," says Duheme. "It's family."
With its life repurposed, three decades later it's clear the 1956 Customline still exudes RCMP history and pride, bringing together those who cherish them.
"I never realized until recently how important [the car] is really" says Piccott. "It's something that they'll keep, and it'll probably end up in the Museum or something."
