When you think of police cars, you probably think of strong and sturdy vehicles that can go pretty fast when they want to be – but nowhere near as fast as a Ferrari could, right? But what if we told you that there was a time when Ferraris were whizzing down the roads and catching criminals? While it’s not uncommon to see some fancy makes and models enter the police force, this Ferrari 250 GTE police car is one of the fanciest we’ve seen.

An Undisclosed Sum

While this police car is no longer in action as a legitimate police vehicle, that doesn’t mean that you can’t add it to your collection. However, you might want to think about it, considering this 1962 Ferrari 250 GTE Series II for sale for an undisclosed sum – which means that it is probably very, very expensive. We know what you’re thinking, though, why was a Ferrari used as a police car?

The Need For Speed

Well, the real story is actually a pretty funny one. When Armando Spatafora of Rome’s Polizia found himself dealing with criminals on a daily basis, he also found himself dealing with a string of police cars that just couldn’t keep pace with the bad guys. He eventually joked to his superiors that he needed a Ferrari to catch them – and was incredibly surprised when two turned up at the police station in 1963. Unfortunately, one of the Ferrari police cars had to be scrapped pretty quickly after a rather violent police chase, but this one managed to survive.

Serving The City

Amazingly, the Ferrari served as part of Rome’s police force for six years before it was eventually retired from action. It features a 60-degree Colombo V12 engine and is decked out in some serious armor. It’s also the only privately-owned car in Rome that’s allowed to use the sirens!

So, will you be buying it?

In a time when it seems like cars are getting bigger and bigger, there is a lot to be said for choosing a compact hatchback instead. You often get the same functionality of a crossover or SUV, but the drive is much more enjoyable. If you’re thinking of investing in something a little smaller, then check out 2020’s best compact hatchbacks.

Honda Civic Hatchback

There is a reason why the 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback is one of the best on the market. It does just about everything you could wish a compact hatchback could do.

There is plenty of space for storage, plus, not only is it a great ride, it’s actually a lot of fun to be behind the wheel of. The Civic’s style might not suit everyone, but there is no denying how good it feels to drive this compact hatchback.

Hyundai Veloster

The thing with hatchback cars is that they can look sporty while also offering drivers plenty of space. The Hyundai Veloster straddles the line between sporty compact and roomy hatchback. Hyundai has managed to make its hatchback drive as good as it looks with its 2020 version, which had been lacking in previous editions.

Volkswagen Golf

The German car manufacturer has been in the compact hatchback market for generations. The Volkswagen Golf will offer drivers a comfortable ride with excellent handling, plus it’s a pretty sleek design.

It doesn’t come cheap, but that’s down to its quality manufacturing. What’s even better is the fact the Golf comes in EV form, although the gas models could be better when it comes to fuel economy.

It’s hard to argue over the performance and style of compact hatchbacks when it comes at such a low cost compared to others on the market. These compact hatchbacks won’t let you down when it comes to combining style and space in your vehicle.