The E-Files: A HISTORY OF THE ESU FLEET 

 

A look at some of the vehicles the unit has driven over the years 

Around since 1925, the fleet for the NYPD Emergency Service Unit has certainly varied. Everything from the vehicles to the color schemes evolved although the core mission of the unit has not. 

So in this edition of the E-Files we take a look back at the different fleets the unit has enjoyed through the years, and my personal take on the best one. 

 

1. Fleet One: Green & Yellow – 1925-1950s

COLOR PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRUCE ADLER

Very unique aesthetic that was perfect for the vehicles of the era. I cannot imagine any other color scheme on a vehicle like this. The white letter font on the front is an excellent touch too. 

These vehicles were open cab too so you know who was pulling up when you saw them. No need for fancy graphics or POLICE in large letters. Pull up, put in work, and leave on this bad boy. 

Grade: A-

2. Fleet Two: Green & White – 1950s-1970s

Don’t care for it to be honest. As the vehicle fleet evolved so did the color scheme to a slight degree but this just doesn’t do it for me. Though it does say police in large letter font, it still feels like I’m looking at a military truck as opposed to an NYPD one.

As closed cabin vehicles began to enter ESU’s fleet, the color scheme could’ve used a better evolution. Green and white worked on the patrol cars of the era but not so much on the ESU REPs.

Grade: c+

3. Fleet Three: Blue & White, Version 1 – 1970s – 1993

4 DOOR REP WITH LIGHT PACKAGE

Love, love, LOVE the four door REPs of that era and the bright blue and white made them jump out even more, The heavy rescue trucks looked even better. THIS was the proper and necessary color scheme evolution for the unit. 

The only complaint I have? Don’t like Emergency Service in small letters. Kind of a pet peeve for me, takes a wee bit off the overall impressive and beautiful presentation of the color scheme. 

Grade: B+

4. Fleet Four: Blue & White, Version 2 – 1994 – 2000

photo credit:: Jim Peruta

This. This, this, THIS! This fleet takes the cake for me. Everything about it is awesome. The switch to two door Ford REPs was awesome enough but adding stripes to the blue and white only enhanced things. 

Secondly, the modification to having Emergency Service in large letters on the sides is just *chefs kiss*. It was perfect for its era as the city was undergoing a renaissance. This isn’t just the best fleet ESU has ever had, the blue and white ‘NYC Police’ styled mid to late 90’s era fleet is the best the NYPD ever had.

Grade: A+

5. Fleet Five: Blue & White, Version 3 – 1996 – Present

Around 1997, the previous version of blue and white overlapped with this fleet which placed heavier emphasis on white and less so on blue. The letter scheme had also been simplified too.

I really like this fleet. It’s so clean and I absolutely love its simplicity. The 1997–2000 period of NYPD vehicles was a sweet spot of pure perfection and what’s better is they’re still using this version! The old school Ford REPs look good in almost anything. 

Grade: A+

In Conclusion…

Doesn’t matter what they’re driving. Hell, they could pull up in rickshaws for all I freaking care. The Emergency Service Unit is always going to get the job done. This has been true since day one, and it’s still true now. 

I hope you found this to be a fun little look back at the history of what the members of ESU used to get to the job. It’s so cool to see the unit’s continued evolution across nearly a century. Anytime, Baby!