Town of Irmo accepts donation of restored vintage police car

Brian Pena presented a restored Volkswagen Rabbit police car to the Town of Irmo on Nov. 18 and formally signed over the title and keys to the town.

Pena described a multi-year effort to document Irmo police history and track down an example of the department’s distinctive Rabbit patrol car. "I want the town of Irmo to have a piece of its unique history that generations to come can know more about," Pena said during his presentation, explaining he and other retired chiefs researched department history and located a replacement Rabbit that had been restored.

Retired Irmo Chief Ray Nash accepted the gesture and recalled the vehicle’s role in the town’s law-enforcement history: "This is a distinct honor to be here," Nash said, later describing the Rabbit as a rallying point and a notable part of the department’s legacy.

Following the presentation, the council moved to accept the vehicle into town custody. By roll call the council approved the acceptance, and members discussed placing the car on display — one council member suggested the lobby of the new town hall as a likely location.

The council did not provide a specific long-term display plan or budget for conservation at the time of acceptance; staff indicated logistics (keys, storage, and occasional display) would be coordinated with the donor and town staff.