No.5 Police Car started life in 1956 as one of the early models in the Esso Petrol Pump Series (See Esso Series No.5 Police Car). Based on the Wolseley 6/80 Saloon widely used by the Police in the 1950's, it was made for Morris & Stone by Modern Products Ltd. whose foundry was next door in Stoke Newington, London.

The model was coloured black with a silver painted base and unpainted metal wheels and large silver-painted loudspeakers on the roof. On this first type base 'Police Car Wolsley Six-Eighty' ('Wolsley' mis-spelt),  'No.5', and 'Made in England' were cast.

In 1959 the Esso Series ended but the Police Car was re-issued unchanged under the Budgie Toys label in yellow blister-packs and a year later was included in the first Budgie Miniatures Gift Sets.

The metal wheels continued but grey plastic wheels were added in 1962. The blister-packs were switched to blue and No.5 Police Car started being sold in boxes under 'Mobile' and later 'Modern' Vehicle Series labels.

The base had an upgrade in 1964 with the appearance of a green model with black plastic wheels and no silver trim on the rear bumper. The silver-painted second type base had 'No'5' in a raised circle and the lettering changed to 'Budgie Models Police Car Made in England'. The green Police Car appeared in blue blister-packs and in the US in World Toy House packs.

The final black version of the Police Car was also fitted with the second type base and black plastic wheels and like the green version had no silver trim at the rear.

No.5 Police Car continued in production after 1966 when Giuterman (Budgie's owners) ceased trading. Modern Products Ltd. retained the dies and later acquired the 'Budgie Models' name. They re-issued it in blue blister-packs with 'Budgie Models Ltd' as manufacturer.

In 1970 the Wolseley Police Car was finally withdrawn after 14 years. 

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In addition to its long production life, the Police Car model was used as the basis for No.27 Fire Chief Car. More details can be found here.