LEO's Favorite Pursuit Cars Of All Time?

[Capt._Chaos]

I wasn't around to see how things were done in the 1950s and '60s, but I remember as a kid seeing some early '70s Dodge Monacos & Plymouth Gran Furys with 440 engines chasing people down on the highway, not to mention a few 454-powered Impalas.

In the early '80s, the first Mustang LX 5.0Ls were being in use in the Texas DPS fleet, as well as many others around the country.

What were your favorite pursuit cars? Please post photos if possible. Thanks!

[USAF_2T2]

My 2003 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor is my one and only favorite pursuit vehicle.

That is the only kind of car I have driven. I would love to try out the North Carolina Highway Patrol's Camaro. Now that bad boy will sh!t and get.

We were in a chase with Davidson County, Rowan County and the Highway Patrol. There were several cars involved. I was there if he wrecked within our area, but was not gonna stay with it (Department Policy). I was going 120 when I was handed my rear by the NCSHP Camaro who was doing all of about 150 when he smoked me.

Sounded like the NASCAR TV races when they show them going by with a camera close. You know the woosh sound? That is how quick he went by me. :yikes: :yikes: I would love to try one of those out for a while if I was given the chance.

[Jimbo]

I was testing out my Kawasaki Concourse a few years back, and got a little carried away. I help the local cops out a good bit, and knew I wouldn't get nailed for a quick blast down 95. I wanted to see how she handled at high speed, in case I ever need to keep up with a bad guy till the red and blue knights got there.

I had my bike wound up to about 140 MPH, when I saw a flashing glimpse of a white car in the median. Now, not that I condone what I did, but I figured if I just stayed in it, the Trooper would never get close to me, and the next exit was only 3 miles farther. I would be close enough to Troop M that they would hear the name on the radio, and I might get a break.

Well... about 5 or 6 seconds later, I had a PA. Crown Vic on my butt, in the lane next to me. He had come from a dead halt, to up my butt in a blink, all the while me doing over 140.

I don't know what the hell PA. Troopers in the Philly area run, but they get up and go pretty hard.

By the way....I didn't get any paperwork on the deal. Seems the Trooper had seen me helping at more than a few accident scenes recently, and figured I deserved a break. Of course he couldn't stop grinning the whole friggin time, with that "...so you thought you coud out-run me huh?" look on his face.

[Big_Dave]

Did y'all know that the state of Alabama had AMC Javelins back in the 70's? :yikes: They had them to catch muscle cars. :cheers:

It was either the Discovery Channel or the History Channel that aired a special on cop cars back in July. Pretty good show to! :cool:

[David_Reed]

1971
On my 1970 Honda 750 with milled heads and a few tweaks, she topped at 146mph. Me, I only weighed about 134lbs at the time.

Tonopah Hwy/Hwy 95, north of the Test Site, I opened her up and let her roll. All of a sudden, from out behind a tumbleweed, I got the Nevada Hwy Patrol on my right shoulder, pacing me! He stomps on it and then slows to get me BEHIND him and go to the shoulder.

We didn't have a speed limit out there then so, no biggee on that score, but, since I was only 17, I violated the helmet law, over 18 no lid required.

They had the Plymouth Furys back then, and I think it had what was called an "Interceptor" package under the hood. They did then and still have the sharpest looking paint job on the road for HP.

[Crystal Pistol]

A sentamental favorite, I'ld take a new one today.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid37/pe5e23093568f50b21e1e162eb4edda20/fd1a854f.jpg
My first car issued to me was a 1978 Plymouth Fury, 440, auto, 2.76 rear, HR70-15s, manula windows and locks, AC, radio delete, black rubber floor covering, long hood, short trunk, just a little sluggish off the line up to about 30. At WOT it would do the mandated national sped limit in first before it shifted to second, which it held until it hit triple digits and third at about the same moment. Bench seat, but it was comfortable and had a pouch I liked for the 870. :)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid15/p530619e656ab67a747b32d0625694cc9/fdebf18c.jpg
My last car, not the current one, was a favorite too. It was a '98 Crown Vic with 3.27 rear and no damn pushbar up front. It was the last year also for the Blue & Grey, we went to Silver & Grey and a different break at the edges of the fender that Ford offered cheaper in 99. That '98 would have been the sharpest looking car if they hadn't put that "Trooper" decal up front and centered the State Police on the sides between the wheel wells, and either painted that rub strip or simply left it off. Car was trouble free until I turned it in based on mileage, and it had no cut off, the top end being limited by power and wind resistance, it would drop off North Mountain or through Buffalo Creek pretty good... and it cruised really well at steady 110-120 without a lot of effort. :cool:

I also had a '94 Caprice that was pretty nice, it was "GreyGreen Metalic" unmarked, dangerous to use on I-81 with only one blue light in back, I wrote a letter and went back to marked cars because of it. Just come much closer to getting hit by too many dumba55 drivers of cars and trucks with the "HUB" syndrome. No pics loaded currently. :zzz:

I had some others I like really well, and a couple that I hated like that 1981 Ford LTD with 351 V-V 2 bbl., it sucked big time and I was able to trade it off to another guy for his '80 Plymouth after only 11,000 miles because he was going undercover and turning whatever he had in at HQ, so he didn't care. ;)

[Capt._Chaos]

CP, you mentioned the 2:76 rears in the Fury- my Charger originally came with the 400 engine, 727 Torqueflite auto, and those 2:76 rears.

You're NOT kidding about breaking the speed limit in first gear either! :yikes:

When I took the Charger to Rapid City, South Dakota on a road trip in 2001, I had the 2:76 rears in it, and it cruised 75 MPH while hardly using any gas.

CP, did VA use any Ford LTDs in the mid- '70s? I remember the San Antonio Police Department had some in their squad car fleet, but was told that officers complained about them being too big & heavy, and underpowered (even with the big 460 4V engine! :yikes: ).

[Crystal Pistol]

Before 1967, there was a mix. Mostly Fords ('66, '65, '63, 61, 60, 59, 58, 56, 55, 54, 53, 52, 51, 50, 49, 48), and some Plymouths ('64, 62, 61, 58, 57), and a few Chevrolets ( '55, 57, 58) mixed in ... that I know of. 1948 was the first year they got a bunch ofnew cars as auto makers caught up after the war. Through the war years and a couple afterwards, Troopers made do with older worn out cars until they dropped or they were able to purchase one locally (state paid for it) or they sometimes were able to seize a hot whiskey runners car after boxing him in if not wrecked too badly and then, if requested, the car was awarded to the state for the trooper to use in his duties.

1967 up through the 1980 model year, we used exclusively Plymouth except for 1979 when we purchased Chrysler Newports (same as a Fury). They all had 440s from 67 through 78, then the 79 and 80 cars had 360s.

81, 84, 87 - Ford LTD with V-V 2bbl. 351
82 "Baby"Ran Fury with 318 4bbl.
83 Chevrolet Impala 350 4 bbl.
85 and 86 were Chevrolet Impala and cCaprice with 350 4bbl.
87 we also had a few unmarked small Dodge Diplomats with 318 4bbl.
88 Ford Crown Vic with 302 Fuel injected.
89, 90, 91 Chevrolet Caprice 350 TBI
92 was a few Ford unmarkeds only, (we actually got such a good deal on the '91 Caprices with 350 TBI "Shamoo" cars at under $12,000 each that we spent entire two years car budget and got all we could.)
93 Caprices 350 TBI
94, 95, 96 Caprices with 350 LT-1 with TPI.
96 some few Crown Vics to fillout the end when Chevrolet shut down Caprice plant.
97, 98, 99, 00 Crown Vics
01 Impalas
02, 03, 04, 05 Crown Vics
03 some unmarked Intrepids.
05 some Impala unmarkeds.

Through the years, there has constantly been attempts to "mix it up" with a few oddball cars that troopers would moved from duty posts to duty posts to use in speed enforcement (like the pink and black 58 Ford I saw a photo of, looked sharp. Or the Monte Carlo SS we used, the Mustang GTs, Camaoros, Buick Le Sabres, Plymouth Volares, etc, but those were the rare exceptions.!) and other traffic related efforts. :cool:

[Hillbilly]

Do any of you know what the deal was, in early 70's, the ranger's in Smokey Mtn National Park had a bad a**ed car, it was a Rambler Ambassador, with a 390 Studebaker engine. It would fly!

[waynesigmeister]

When I first started, the 1978 Plymouths with the 440's were the fastest cars I ever drove. You could spin the tires in each gear as it shifted up into the next gear. The downside was the drum brakes were horrible, three hard stops and they were gone, the car also was light in the rear and you could spin out taking a corner to fast.

We then got some late 70's Chevy Nova's with the 350 motor. This car was fast, not as quick as the Plymouth, but it outhandled any car I drove. Throughout the 80's, the cars were pigs, Dodge Diplomats with 318 motors. Then Ford came along with the Crwon Vic's and they were decent. I had a pursuit on the 118 Frwy to the N/B 405 at 115MPH during rush hour traffic, chasing a robbery/attempted murder suspect (this chase made the TV news around the world, it was the blue Nova that drove off the freeway and the driver ran away from the car before we caught him with the assistance of a K-9). I worked in a medium size city of 100,000 people next to Los Angeles, so we did not get the fastes cars availabel because it was not needed for travel in our area-traffic can get tight an at time, no one can go fast.

[Flying Dutchman]

I concur about the '77 and '78 Monaco/Gran Fury being among the best cop cars ever made. My cousin bought a used '77 Fury that was an ex-cruiser from PA. It had the 440 V-8, dual exhaust and the Torque-Flite automatic with the "low gear" lockout feature. It was a dog off the line, but would really do quite well on the highway if you had the space.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/FlyingDutchman112/bace07d4.jpg
Restored 1977 or 1978 Plymouth Gran Fury - with "Hazzard County" emblems


He bought the Fury (similar to the one in the picture above) when it was only three years old and had about 80,000 miles on it. The transmission had gone bad, so he got the car for less than $500! A trip to the local vo-tech school cured the shifting problem and he was in business quickly. The speedometer went up to 140 mph and it would do that (sans lightbar, of course) if you had the guts to try. That car still had the prisoner cage and push bumpers installed when they auctioned it -- since the agency changed to Fords in '79 or '80 and I assume the old stuff would not fit the newer cars.

The '80 to '91 Dodge St. Regis and Plymouth Gran Fury was pretty tough-looking, but had to make do with a wheezy 360 under the hood. It took a lot more effort to lug those tubs around with an engine suited to a Volare or Aspen! PA had a bunch of '80 and '81 St. Regis sedans which had to have the clear plastic headlight covers removed before being put into service with the state police -- because they violated some state ordinance that prohibited obstruction of headlamps.
:angry:
The up side was that it was much easier to detect an unmarked Dodge if it were sneaking up behind you. The car looked funny with those covers removed.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/FlyingDutchman112/e6461f79.jpg
1980 or 1981 Plymouth Gran Fury; used by the Ontario Provincial Police


Throughout the 1980s, I liked the "rough" looks of the square Impala (and the Caprice from '86 onward) 9C1 package. It looked best with a prisoner cage, single spotlight, push bumper and the dog dish hubcaps!

Local cops typically had the little 318-powered Dodge Diplomat; not a bad car.......but probably not as powerful as the Chevy or Ford offerings of that era. The PA State Police bought a bunch of Chevy Malibus in 1983, the last year the car was built, and they had a zippy 350. Since they were rather light, the power-to-weight ratio was favorable when compared to an Impala or big LTD.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/FlyingDutchman112/69943a0e.jpg
A Gran Fury used by Washington, DC back in the 1980s


Ford sold the P71 package (1979 through 1991) with that 351-2V engine. For some reason, they never stayed in tune and seldom ran properly. I knew a guy who was a PSP trooper who had an '86 and he said it ate a lot more gas than it should and he had to fill it up twice during a shift! Our city cops had a 'baby' LTD - 1985 vintage - and it was very fast because it had a nice 302 with the four-barrel carb (similar to what came in the Mustang GT that year).


When I was a deputy sheriff, I drove a 2000 Crown Vic. Good car, fairly powerful, handled well and had good brakes (4-wheel disc w/ABS). Still, it was not up to snuff when compared to the '94 to '96 "bathtub" Caprice 9C1 that many agencies used to have. We had two Impalas ('01 models), but they were unmarked and only used by detectives and investigators. Being front-drive, I reckon their only advantage was driving in snowy weather.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/FlyingDutchman112/1225cfa4.jpg
2000 Ford Crown Vic - used by Henrico County, VA (similar to the one I had when working as a deputy sheriff in another county)


For the new cars out there, I think Dodge hit one out of the ball park with the upcoming Charger. I have yet to see one in actual service, but I know that Maryland has a few of them that were put into use as 'test mules' for potential future purchase. With an available 340-horse 'Magnum' V-8, I know they'll probably smoke every Crown Vic out there. For in-town use, Chrysler is offering the Charger with a less-potent V-6 that still churns out 250 ponies - equaling that horsepower of the Ford Crown Vic!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/FlyingDutchman112/1c902a74.jpg
2006 Dodge Charger Pursuit Package


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/FlyingDutchman112/5c950679.jpg
2006 Dodge Charger in proposed VA State Police livery

[Flying Dutchman]

Did y'all know that the state of Alabama had AMC Javelins back in the 70's? :yikes: They had them to catch muscle cars. :cheers:

It was either the Discovery Channel or the History Channel that aired a special on cop cars back in July. Pretty good show to! :cool:


Big Dave,

I think the picture below might jog your memory a bit.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/FlyingDutchman112/21c95389.jpg

AMC Javelin -- early 1970s vintage; used by Alabama as a pursuit vehicle


P.S. Some of these photos came from CopCar.com -- while others were obtained from various other sites (such as PoliceCarSite.com and CopCruisers.com). I also took a few of them myself while I was on vacation.

[Big_Dave]

Yep, that's the one!

Thanks for the links also. :cool:

[Flying Dutchman]

No problem, Dave. Glad to be of help! I also enjoy discussing, seeing and hearing those old V-8 machines - be they civilian 'muscle' cars or vehicles used in pursuit of the bad guys.

Here is another piece of vintage iron for you to enjoy:


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/FlyingDutchman112/Louisiana_State_Police_LTD_1.jpg
Restored Louisiana State Police Ford LTD - approx. '77 or '78 vintage
{Note the red lights!}

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/FlyingDutchman112/4376e4c4.jpg
2005 Chevy Tahoe Police Package -- St. Johnsonville, NY PD
These are 2wd vehicles that are actually pursuit-rated! I would hate
to have to pay for the gas it uses, though.

[Flying Dutchman]

Try this one on for size......a restored 1989 Ford Mustang that is shown in Florida Highway Patrol livery.


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/FlyingDutchman112/9b0365c8.jpg

[Dave Sweetman]

Noticed the sign board in front od the Mustang is sitting on a box of Dunkin Donuts....man...that's cold... :) :)

Great thread, folks..really enjoying it.

Still get a little twinge of extra nostalgia when I think about that old Ford that Broderick Crawford drove in "Highway Patrol." now THAT was a cool tv show.

dave

[Deputy Dogg]

How about this one!!http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c44/nozzlenut/1964Galaxy.jpg
64 Ford Galaxy 500 390 PI motor- Andy of Mayberry Clone!!

[dominopizzadrvr]

I was going aroung 285 last week in Atlanta and saw a Dodge Magnum(black) that was on the Doraville PD, it looked very intimidating.

[Flying Dutchman]

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/FlyingDutchman112/43e585d3.jpg

-- 1987 Plymouth Gran Fury Squad Car --


This is owned by a volunteer firefighter in New York (judging by the license plate); which is why it has blue lights. Up there, police cars typically use red lights and volunteer firemen use all-blue lights. That is the opposite of Virginia, where only law enforcement can use any blue lights. Volunteer firemen can use red or red & clear here, but blue is verboten.

[Randg1]

Wellll :harhar: I know this is going to date me but what da hay, I am an old f--t. My favorite was the 1959 & 1960 Dodge Polaris with the 440 Mag. engine. Only problem was the brakes really sucked!!!! It took a lot of planning to get stopped if you had to shut down at a 100+. On the 59' you only got one high speed stop on a set of brakes, they were glazed to bad to trust after that. :yikes: oldbear

[David_Reed]

Here's a few for ya!

1998 Camaro
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c363/dbreed53/1998nev105.jpg
1998 Camaro
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c363/dbreed53/1998nev01.jpg
1992 Camaro
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c363/dbreed53/1992nev92.jpg
1978 Fury
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c363/dbreed53/1978nev78.jpg

Links to a source of Nevada HP pictures

http://members.fortunecity.com/statepdcars/nev.htm

http://members.aol.com/phinen/NHP_Hist.html

[Capt._Chaos]

Thanks for all the great response to this thread! :cheers:

As a musclecar enthusiast, I enjoy seeing all those old cars in the photos! Let's keep 'em coming!

Anyone remember The Blues Brothers? Hopefully someone here has a photo of "The Bluesmobile"! :)

[Rev.Vassago]

How about this - it'll smoke them all away!

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/040514/040514_poliza_hmed_9a.hmedium.jpg
2006 Lamborghini Gallardo - top speed of 192 MPH
Price tag - $165,000 - Plus it includes a $40,000 camera and computer system
As well as a heart defibrilator, for when your suspect has a heart attack from you chasing him
0-60 in 4 seconds

[Capt._Chaos]

How about this - it'll smoke them all away!


Yeah, but I'm sure they're not as much fun to drive! Besides, I doubt too many police departments could afford to get them, other than by confiscation from criminals who have them.

[Flying Dutchman]

Don't know if you have seen it yet, but here is one of Michgan's 'special service' Mustangs -- known affectionately as the CopStang. Judging by the 15" wheels (civilian '91 to '93 5.0 Mustangs had 16-inchers), it appears to be a '91 to '93 model. If memory serves me correctly, the '85 to '90 police Mustangs had the same wheels.....but they were painted black & were equipped with the shiny center cap.

Anyway, I have owned three different 5.0 Mustangs and they were quite fast. The only drawback was the lack of ABS and Ford did not use disc brakes on the rear until the 1994 redesign.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/FlyingDutchman112/2294907d.jpg

[David_Reed]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c363/dbreed53/raid.gif
Photo By: Rich Carlson

Since 1989, the Nevada Highway Patrol has utilized the "Chaser" as an educational tool to gain the attention and trust of students across the nation.
Initial programs were directed towards high school age students that were in pre-license status, but over the years the program has been re-directed towards the younger and more vulnerable elementary school age students.

The current program is a 35 minute "hands on" class that uses six students and two faculty staff members to simulate two cars with two drivers. This exercise allows the 4th and 5th grade students to learn at their level, the problems associated with multi-task dysfunction.

Driver impairment can be a major cause of motor vehicle accidents and as a result, the number one cause of death for students and young adults in America.

This program is free of charge and can be scheduled by contacting Lieutenant Jack David Snyder (702) 486-4100.

A limited number of appearances are available as this RAID program is done on a voluntary basis with time donated by the RAID team members.

PLEASE REMEMBER... THE BEST PROTECTION AGAINST A DRUNK DRIVER IS YOUR SEATBELT!


RAID STATS: "The Chaser"
1986 Ford Mustang PRO STOCK
Powered by FORD 598 CI Nickel SVO
* Childs & Albert Pistons, Rod, Pins
* Sonny Bryant Crankshaft
* Manley Titanium Valves
* SVO Wedge Heads
* ARP Fasteners
* Petersen Dry Sump System
* Hamburger Oil Pan
* AFT Clutches
* Lenco 4-Speed Transmission
* Dan's Driveline
* Mark Williams Axles and Gears
* Mickey Thompson Tires
* Weld Racing Wheels

BEST ET 7.58 @ 180 mph on gasoline only!

THE RAID CREW:
Driver/Program Coordinator:
Lieutenant Jack David Snyder

Crew Chief:
Clancy Rial

Crew:
Richard Rial
Sgt Larry Wolf
Trooper Bob West
Officer Teri Pocernik

RAID PROGRAM SPONSORS:
Mickey Thompson Tires
Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas Auto Parts
Nellis Building Materials
Morot Cargo
Nu-Power
Stateline Towing
Friendly Ford of Las Vegas
GMF Motors

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS:
Joe Rossi Tires
USA Auto Glass
Dan's Driveline
VP Racing Fuel
Graphics 2000
Tavia Specialty Tools
Wheelen Emergency Lights
Haycock Distributing

[David_Reed]

click this

http://www.bluesmobile.net/

[Capt._Chaos]

click this

http://www.bluesmobile.net/

Thanks, David! Some very fun reading!

[K C Brau]

With the high center of gravity the SUVs have, I still question the wisdom of using them in police work where the possibility of high speed pursuit exists. Certainly they have a lot of room, and I know I am more comfortable sitting up as I do in pick-up type vehicles than in low cars, but can any amount of training overcome pure physics?

Thanks for the links to the photos of old iron.

To all the police and firefighters, thanks for being there when we need you.

[Flying Dutchman]

I have never driven one, but I have heard good things about the pursuit-rated 2005 Chevy Tahoe. It comes in rear-wheel-drive only, as the 4wd version is not 'pursuit-rated'.

Me thinks that it would be good for K-9, SWAT, etc., etc. -- as well. The one pictued below (from NY; hence the red lights) is a very good-looking police vehicle, especially with the black wheels and silver center caps!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/FlyingDutchman112/4376e4c4.jpg

[magicman]

When I was a dispatcher for 911 in Omaha, we had a few old 78 AMC Ambassadors. They had 401 cu in engines and unbelievable top end.

When we'd get a pursuit that lasted awhile, we'd find someone driving on of the AMC's and try to have the officer make his way to the pursuit. Once they got there, the pursuit usually ended quickly. Not only were they fast, but they were a tank, too. I've heard a few tales of how an AMC would pass all the other cars and just basically curb the fleeing vehicle.

Many a crotch rocket got the surprise of their life when they lit it up and found that damned "Rambler" in the mirror. :D :D :D

[The Saint]

"Many a crotch rocket got the surprise of their life when they lit it up and found that damned "Rambler" in the mirror. "

Beep beep his horn went beep beep beep. ...sorry thst just rminded me of a song my dad used to listen to. :)

[BlueAngel]

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/FlyingDutchman112/1c902a74.jpg
2006 Dodge Charger Pursuit Package


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/FlyingDutchman112/5c950679.jpg
2006 Dodge Charger in proposed VA State Police livery

Somebody should arrest whoever came up with that. That's not a Charger, that's a CRIME. :wtf:

THIS is a Charger....

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e396/BlueAngel43/B2.jpg