[Bob Lincoln]

I don't know where you'd find official info. In recent years, the most common police cars I've seen are Ford LTD Crown Victoria and Chevrolet Caprice. Lately there are a lot of the new Dodge Chargers out there.

In the 1960s and 1970s, there was widespread use of every major manufacturer. Chrysler had Plymouth Fury/Dodge Monaco, Plymouth Satellite/Dodge Coronet, Plymouth Volare/Dodge Aspen. Chevy had Impala, Malibu, and even Nova. Ford had LTD mostly, but also Mercury Montego/Ford Torino.

[valiant67]

I'd start here. The Michigan State Police have one of the most recognized testing programs for police cars:
http://www.michigan....16274--,00.html

[TWX]

Well, in my own observations, Ford ruled the pack with the Crown Victoria from the mid-nineties until '06, and they still have, by far, the most police cars on the road. Before that, the Chevrolet Caprice (discontinued in '96 or so) was very, very widespread, and had started gaining ground after Chrysler discontinued mid-sized B/R-bodied cars in '81, and continued gaining ground when Chrysler discontinued the M-body RWD platform in '89. Since then I've seen a lot of new Dodge Chargers, a smattering of FWD Chevrolet Impalas, and a fair number of Ford Crown Victorias.

Some departments have also purchased SUVs like Chevrolet Tahoes, Dodge Durangos, and Ford Explorers and Expeditions, but those aren't nearly as commonly used for patrol use. Some have also purchased (or seized) other cars like Corvettes, Camaros, Mustangs, and even the odd Viper here and there for high-speed pursuit on highways, but those are extremely uncommon.

My own observation of American police cars are that they're typically large (mid to full size), heavy, strongly-built, rear wheel drive, V8-powered, and able to handle a lot of abuse. They're expected to be able to push cars off of the road when they're broken down, they're expected to be able to ram fleeing vehicles without overly jeopardizing the officer inside. They're expected to keep up with most of the vehicles on the road, both in handling and in acceleration, despite being big and heavy.

As others have pointed out, Michigan does extensive testing of potential police platforms, and their test results are frequently used by other departments.

[pug-man]

police pics
Here's a site that has alot of pics of police vehicles from different areas.

[Jeff2KPatriotBlue]

Vehicle licensing is at the State level in the US.

[TWX]

To my knowledge, there was no special VIN in of itself for police cars from Chrysler. There were option packages available that were supposed to be police-only (though some of those were also fleet/taxi), usually in engine and suspension parts. Trouble is, in some examples like model year 1978, some Federal engines weren't available in California (ie, big blocks), so small block police interceptor packages like E58 (High Output 360) ended up in cars. In 1979 Chrysler put the E58-package-360s into some other regular production vehicles as well.

If anything you might be able to contact corporate offices from GM, Ford, and Chrysler to ask about police car production, but those old records are probably not computerized, and even if they are they might not have it where it helps you.

[Bob_Sheaves]

If you were a registered user, you would not be seeing this!

Couple of small points to add.....

There are generally 2 variants of "police car" built in the US. These 2 classifications are (common terms), "Special Service" and "Pursuit". The SS cars are generally civilian cars with add on equipment for police, fleet, and taxi services, while the pursuit cars have re-engineered engine equipment, retuned suspensions, higher speed rated tires, extra body reinforcements, etc.

For example, the Jeep Cherokee police cars were listed as Special Service cars-they consisted of the standard 4.0L High Output engine, increased cooling capacity (trans cooler, power steering cooler, engine oil cooler), front and rear anti sway bars from the trailer towing package, police service high speed Goodyear GT+4 tires, foot operated parking brake (I think-it HAS been a long time since I worked on it), heavy duty seats in the front, revalved shocks, extra roof reinforcement for the roof light bar mounting, different brake pads in front and shoes in the rear, and some other esoteric changes to the electrical system for accessories (radios, higher charging capacity, etc.)....

[TWX]

My guess (though this is just a guess) is that bigger police departments order a lot of their upfitting components themselves, while smaller departments would have a third party convert them, but I admit that I could be wrong. I can tell you that I saw a Ford dealership several years ago with a whole slew of Crown Vics parked out front with wiring harnesses hanging out of the middle of the roof, electrical-taped, waiting for a light bar, and I think that was factory.

[Bearhawke]

TWX, on Nov 25 2007, 11:01 PM, said:

My guess (though this is just a guess) is that bigger police departments order a lot of their upfitting components themselves, while smaller departments would have a third party convert them, but I admit that I could be wrong. I can tell you that I saw a Ford dealership several years ago with a whole slew of Crown Vics parked out front with wiring harnesses hanging out of the middle of the roof, electrical-taped, waiting for a light bar, and I think that was factory.

Funny you mention that.

This past Friday I saw a 2008? Ford CVPI; black and white paint scheme with spots on both sides heading down McDowell from Scottsdale and exiting onto the 143 turnoff. I am guessing it was being taken to be upfitted with overheads and 'police' decals.

[valiant67]

policeangel81, on Nov 16 2007, 05:32 AM, said:

thanks to you all, the link is very interesting.
i ask myself if the police cars got special serial numbers or registration numbers, is it possible to ask something like that at the dmv? does a dmv exist for hole usa or is it only states?

Chrysler identified police cars in one of three ways:
First was a K in the VIN for price class (second character of the VIN). This was the only time the VIN directly identified a police car. Though some years the engine type indirectly identified a police car (for example, the 318-4 engine was a police only engine for much of the Diplomat production. Therefore an S in the engine digit of the VIN would identify a police car). I think using K in the VIN to ID a police car ended around 1978.

Next was an A38 option code. The A38 identified a police package car. nothing in the VIN ID's this as a police car (except for the engine note above). The A38 code on the fender tag was also used during the same time as the K code in the VIN. An A38 car was considered a police package car (for example a more plushly equipped car for a supervisor with police additions), while a K code showed a true police car. After 1978, the A38 on the data tag was the only way to ID a police car until 1984.

In 1984 and later years, Chrysler switched to new data codes. The A38 code was now AHB. Again, the code on the data plate was the only way to ID a police car. The VIN didn't ID a police car (except for the engine note above).

I do not know how Ford or GM handled this.

This post has been edited by valiant67: 26 November 2007 - 10:12 AM

[heyitsespo]

Got into this post a bit late but lets see if I can help out.

I'm a cop in NJ. NJ puts vehicles out for bid with specs and dealerships put together a package for bid. Lowest bids sells lots of cars at nearly no profit to departments. Dealer makes its prep costs and whatever holdback they get later that month (2 percent or so).

Smallest car for bid is the Chevy Impala, you won't see any Mustangs running around NJ. Crown Vic is the most popular model with the SUV end going to the Durango. The Durango's have the 4.7, I havent seen any Hemi's. Fords are Police Package which are upgraded everything except the motor is the usual 4.6, nothing fancy like 32 valve. Police cars have true dual exhaust from Ford. Because of this Ford probably has a number sequence to identify Police Cars because VIN numbers are used to look up parts and much is different with Police Spec (example, a few years ago they used aluminum driveshafts which were becoming oblong and flying apart at cop speeds, this was changed). Cooling, charging, and exhaust are unique to the police cars. Police cars don't have the heated elements in the windshields because it blocks the radar (first hand knowledge when they replaced the one out of my old Chevy a few years ago). Tires are performance rated for I believe 130 and the computer shuts the car down prior to that. Current bid replacement tires are Firestones and they have been lasting longer than the Goodyears and I have noticed a difference with them.

You can buy a stripped out car with only harnesses and you add your own stuff or you can have it installed at the dealership. We use a 800 mhz radio system and Mobile Data Terminals in our cars so an outside vender does our installations. I think our last batch came with cages and lights already installed. We get black and whites which only costs $200 more and have the decals done outside.


P.Ds. started buying Chargers a year or two ago. They use 4.7s like the Durango. Havent driven one yet as we buy the Durango because its not much more money than the Crown Vic. I think its around 23k without lights ect, but I may be wrong. We buy about 15 cars a year. Durango come with cop necessities like CD player for listening to training CDs (ahem).

Chevy's idea of a Police package is using mostly truck parts in their cars and calling them a Police Car. We have the 3.8 six in our cars. The front wheel drive is holding up well which surprised me and takes a bit of getting used to, but the cars were actually faster in the tight courses (could be the size too). Cars are good in crashes, we've had a few really bad ones the last couple years and the guys made it. We found out if you bottom the car out is crushes the coolant line for the A/C running up to the radiator and you lose Air conditioning. Not a good design for something driven like a police car. Cars also experience weird electrical problems with the ignition and security system shutting the car down for 15 minutes because the car thinks someone is trying to steal it. I think everyone of the 15 or so Impalas have had at least one electrical problem. Fords are holding up well, a few years ago Ford was buying us engines because of rod stretch at high speed. Then the replacement engines were having rod stretch. They got that straightened out. No problems with the Durangos but we've only had then 2 years.

In NJ DMV identifies Police and Taxi vehicles on the title (says something like...Police Use). Cars are sold at auctions and are usually bought by cab companies. We cover 120 square miles, so our shared cars are done after 3 years. They get recycled to other departments. My 88 Caprice is still running around with over 250k on it. I had that car for 5 years from 18 miles and put 150k on it with just me driving it. These cars get sold when they are rolling scrap. Some departments sell the cars off after a few years while they are worth something. We leased in the early 2000's ( dont ask me why, guess it was a few dollars cheaper). In the late 80's GM put the LT-1 350 in the Impalas (full size). These cars were being bought up by a company that only wanted the engines to rebuild and sell. The blocks were the old 4 bolt main, very rare and only available for Marine, Heavy Truck, and Police use.

We had Jeep Cherokees in the early 90's, 3 got rolled. They held up well and the other 7 are still running around doing other things, just not patrol work.

I don't see why you couldn't buy a Police package from a dealership, but I'm not sure if they would sell it to you. Cars get gobbled up pretty quick after budgets get passed and get in short supply as summer approaches. We had a hard time getting 10 cars one year because the budget took too long and most of the bid cars were gone.

Top speed? 186,000 miles per second, you can't outrun a radio.

I think I covered most of your questions....

Jim

[Bearhawke]

You must mean the 5.7L V8 in the Charger?

No Chrysler LLC passenger car offers the 4.7L V8......it is a truck only motor.

Interesting about how your dep't does its fleet maintenance though. :)

[TWX]

I actually want a Magnum with a column shift, like the police Charger. I'd rather do something more useful with the console.

[DaveAdmin]

I believe it is not possible to buy a new one from Chrysler unless you are a real police department (they do check), but of course there are auctions.

[Pacopcar]

The way it used to work, and I know Ford still does, is that if you wanted to buy a new police package car individually, you had to have some sort of public safety credentials to be able to order one. That's how my partner in the late '70s was able to buy a new Nova package car for himself.

I've never heard of civilians being able to buy a package car new from any manufacturer.

And, we used to say "You cannot outrun Motorola".

This post has been edited by Pacopcar: 25 February 2008 - 01:01 AM

[Bearhawke]

Pacopcar, on Feb 25 2008, 12:59 AM, said:

The way it used to work, and I know Ford still does, is that if you wanted to buy a new police package car individually, you had to have some sort of public safety credentials to be able to order one. That's how my partner in the late '70s was able to buy a new Nova package car for himself.

I've never heard of civilians being able to buy a package car new from any manufacturer.

And, we used to say "You cannot outrun Motorola".

Ford was silly about not selling 'police package' vehicles to the public------oftentimes they were slower than some of their retail cars.

As for Mopar: apparently in the 1970's, anyone could by an A38 vehicle.

[TWX]

Bearhawke, on Feb 25 2008, 05:53 PM, said:

Ford was silly about not selling 'police package' vehicles to the public------oftentimes they were slower than some of their retail cars.

As for Mopar: apparently in the 1970's, anyone could by an A38 vehicle.

Well, a towing-package equipped vehicle with the proper motor is almost there, as far as motor, transmission, and secondary cooling systems are concerned. Suspension is a bit different with police package cars getting even beefier torsion bars, sway bar, and slightly different springs and hangers, but it's still not noticeable to most drivers...