Police Interceptors
how much are they going for in your area?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,213
Likes: 174
From: Portland, Oregon
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,547
Likes: 196
Whenever I think of police cars in movies or entertainment, I always think of the '74 Monaco and the 68' Timelord. My all time favourites.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blues_Brothers_(film)
Bluesmobile
Main article: Bluesmobile
The film used 13 different cars bought at auction from the California Highway Patrol to depict the Bluesmobile, a retired 1974 Mount Prospect, Illinois Dodge Monaco patrol car. The vehicles were outfitted by the studio to do particular driving chores; some customized for speed and others for jumps, depending on the scene. For the large car chases, filmmakers purchased 60 police cars at $400 each, and most were destroyed at the completion of the filming.[16] More than 40 stunt drivers were hired and the crew kept a 24-hour body shop to repair cars.[16]
For the scene when the Blues Brothers finally arrive at the Richard J. Daley Center, a mechanic took several months to rig the car to fall apart.[16] The statues, seeming to be looking on with concern when the car disassembles, actually exist at the Cook County Building. At the time of the film's release, it held the world record for the most cars destroyed in one film until it was surpassed by its own sequel.[16]
Bluesmobile
Main article: Bluesmobile
The film used 13 different cars bought at auction from the California Highway Patrol to depict the Bluesmobile, a retired 1974 Mount Prospect, Illinois Dodge Monaco patrol car. The vehicles were outfitted by the studio to do particular driving chores; some customized for speed and others for jumps, depending on the scene. For the large car chases, filmmakers purchased 60 police cars at $400 each, and most were destroyed at the completion of the filming.[16] More than 40 stunt drivers were hired and the crew kept a 24-hour body shop to repair cars.[16]
For the scene when the Blues Brothers finally arrive at the Richard J. Daley Center, a mechanic took several months to rig the car to fall apart.[16] The statues, seeming to be looking on with concern when the car disassembles, actually exist at the Cook County Building. At the time of the film's release, it held the world record for the most cars destroyed in one film until it was surpassed by its own sequel.[16]
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,213
Likes: 174
From: Portland, Oregon
How exactly did you experience the nice ride and rear seat legroom of a police Crown Vic?
I was wondering too.
Thread Starter
Suzuka Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,847
Likes: 24
From: Oreland, Pa
6-10k depending on year and mileage. I am looking at 06-07 models with around 50k. I also have 2.6k in debt to pay off so depending on what Acura says is wrong with the TL I may just get it fixed then sell it, pay off my debt and get another car. If the problem is in the trans well then... Right now I'm hearing a whirling noise in the driveline that increases with speed, has nothing to do with engine rpms either.
Basically I just need something cheap and reliable for the time being.
Basically I just need something cheap and reliable for the time being.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,213
Likes: 174
From: Portland, Oregon
The one thing you need to consider other than the fact that it'll have been railed like a prostitute at a bachelor party is that every time you get behind somebody on the freeway, they'll slow down to the speed limit or below, thinking you're a cop. This is especially prevalent at night.
Thread Starter
Suzuka Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,847
Likes: 24
From: Oreland, Pa
The one thing you need to consider other than the fact that it'll have been railed like a prostitute at a bachelor party is that every time you get behind somebody on the freeway, they'll slow down to the speed limit or below, thinking you're a cop. This is especially prevalent at night.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,213
Likes: 174
From: Portland, Oregon
Oderint dum metuant.
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,496
Likes: 534
From: Lake Wylie
Always had one as a "toy" in the back of my head. They can be had for cheap here, and most advertised are in good shape (cosmetically, at least). It's the same engine as the Mustang for a given year, so there's a lot of potential. I don't know about one as a DD, but given most of them's second life as a taxi or hoo ride, I could see it.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 329
Likes: 8
Here is what I know.
- Make sure it's not from an auction or re-seller, what they consider "restored." It may seem nice to have a "restored" car, you may want to see it "as is" used.
- Most P71 carry Lowlife Scums that would pee and throw up in the back seat. Restored cars will try to mask it with nice smelling spray.
- It's still frame on body. I don't know if damages are reported to Carfax. Check it. P71 and be totaled, put in back on a frame straightener, and back on the road in 4 days.
- All Panthers was revised (2003 or 2005 sorry I forget). It include Rack and Pin steering, instead of circulating ball. You can tell by the wheels. It's pushed out more. Hnadling is much better.
- One of the year models (2002 or 2005, I forget) have sagging rear spring problems.
- All Panthers designs goes back to 1979, so they have rear saddle gas tank. P71 hit hard (like 70MPG+) can go boom!!!! There seem to be a bolt on the rear axle that can be pushed up against the gas tank when the rear get smashed. Later models have a metal shield around the bolt area. Newer models have a fire suppression system built in (as a P71 option).
- With that said above, the Panther still get 5 stars rear crash rating today. I guess nothing beats the strength of old Detroit steel. Or should I say Canada steel.
- P71 idle a lot faster and run lean. So the MPG is like 12. They may make a good hot rod, but not a good daily driver unless you own some stock in an oil company. The alt is also strong enough to power a small town. Many said Ford under list the actual hp.
- Don't be fooled by what they claim to be police cars. Only the P71 is the true Police Interceptors. P74 are taxis, and P73 are Crown Vic Sports models, and P72 are the regular CV. You can see this in the VIN.
- P71 also comes in Civilian Appearance Package. They have more chrome, other features, and other goodies. It suppose to look more like the regular CV. Many call it "Detective" car. IMO, it does not look that Mean, but the guts is exactly the same.
- Check with your local Ford dealers. Sometimes Police dept will cancel their orders (budget cuts) and there are "used" P71s on their lot. Because they can't sell Police cars to civilians, they will be titled and sold as used. But they are really "new."
- P71 can be great if you look carefully and take your time in finding the right one. I would not look for a "Police" one. Maybe like the ones that used by the Fire Dept, FBI, or other government agency.
Long reply, I'll end here. Good luck
- Make sure it's not from an auction or re-seller, what they consider "restored." It may seem nice to have a "restored" car, you may want to see it "as is" used.
- Most P71 carry Lowlife Scums that would pee and throw up in the back seat. Restored cars will try to mask it with nice smelling spray.
- It's still frame on body. I don't know if damages are reported to Carfax. Check it. P71 and be totaled, put in back on a frame straightener, and back on the road in 4 days.
- All Panthers was revised (2003 or 2005 sorry I forget). It include Rack and Pin steering, instead of circulating ball. You can tell by the wheels. It's pushed out more. Hnadling is much better.
- One of the year models (2002 or 2005, I forget) have sagging rear spring problems.
- All Panthers designs goes back to 1979, so they have rear saddle gas tank. P71 hit hard (like 70MPG+) can go boom!!!! There seem to be a bolt on the rear axle that can be pushed up against the gas tank when the rear get smashed. Later models have a metal shield around the bolt area. Newer models have a fire suppression system built in (as a P71 option).
- With that said above, the Panther still get 5 stars rear crash rating today. I guess nothing beats the strength of old Detroit steel. Or should I say Canada steel.
- P71 idle a lot faster and run lean. So the MPG is like 12. They may make a good hot rod, but not a good daily driver unless you own some stock in an oil company. The alt is also strong enough to power a small town. Many said Ford under list the actual hp.
- Don't be fooled by what they claim to be police cars. Only the P71 is the true Police Interceptors. P74 are taxis, and P73 are Crown Vic Sports models, and P72 are the regular CV. You can see this in the VIN.
- P71 also comes in Civilian Appearance Package. They have more chrome, other features, and other goodies. It suppose to look more like the regular CV. Many call it "Detective" car. IMO, it does not look that Mean, but the guts is exactly the same.
- Check with your local Ford dealers. Sometimes Police dept will cancel their orders (budget cuts) and there are "used" P71s on their lot. Because they can't sell Police cars to civilians, they will be titled and sold as used. But they are really "new."
- P71 can be great if you look carefully and take your time in finding the right one. I would not look for a "Police" one. Maybe like the ones that used by the Fire Dept, FBI, or other government agency.
Long reply, I'll end here. Good luck
Last edited by cabanalane; Aug 5, 2011 at 05:19 PM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 0
From: DC
My buddy (also a cop) bought one from the local police department its an 04 had like 120k on it. He paid 2k drove it 26miles and the transmission took a shit. He fixed it spent like 4k total and has been driving it for almost 3 years as his DD and 190k on it now and not a single problem. He also has a 99 Vette heads, cam, spray, etc + plus hes a cop = he floors it every where he goes. He says he gets around 15mpg combined with his 25 miles commute. He is NOT easy on cars ive known him my whole life.
He put a set of snow tires on in the winter (Northern Indiana) and says hes never got stuck. So all in all if you can find a cheap one, it might be an ok car if you can handle the poor MPG.
He put a set of snow tires on in the winter (Northern Indiana) and says hes never got stuck. So all in all if you can find a cheap one, it might be an ok car if you can handle the poor MPG.
Thread Starter
Suzuka Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,847
Likes: 24
From: Oreland, Pa
So it was just a wheel bearing. I'm gonna keep the TL for about six months I think then start looking, I've decided against getting a cop car though. I kinda want a first gen TSX with low mileage.
