"owl car" phrase ??

[s. . .]

Hi, everyone.
Can you please help me paraphrase the following in
current English (read the part between arrows
>>>  <<<):

"[A lone policeman on his rounds], >>> the clanging
bell of some owl car anxious to be off the street, <<<
[the tread of a man hurrying...]

Thanks for your insights.

Peter Lombardo

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