graham

Consider the money GM spends to advertise versus the profit + street advertising of 100 Camaro's running up and down California's highways.

guionM

Great post!

The only think I'd question is acceptance of ABS on the '91 Caprice. It was very controversial & wasn't vey popular with the CHP (infact, the optioned out of ABS with the '02 B4C purchase).

The draw with the Mustang was that they cost considerably less than a police sedan, were very quick, very low mantinence outside of the front brakes rotors and assembly (a frequent maintenence item, but rarely more than $100 per set), and when the state was done with them, they resold for more than the sedans did despite initially costing less.

I feel GM could have at the very least put a truck level transmission and a more durable rear end, which would eliminate the key complaints (that even some here have mentioned). Scott once mentioned the key reason for the rear end was to help keep weight down (and the Silverado's tranny is a little heavier than the one in the Camaro), so it doesn't appear to be a cost issue.

Z28Wilson

Possibly, that's debatable. I can honestly say that seeing Charger cop cars here in Michigan didn't make them more desireable to me.

guionM

Again, depends on who you buy it from.

Buying a 120K mile Crown Vic from the California Highway Patrol is most likely going to be in far superior condition than a 50K mile car from LA. A Texas Public Safety cruiser is almost always going to be in better condition than a cruiser same or lower mileage cruiser in El Paso or Huston.

States have bigger budgets, outside of heat and constant driving (far easier on a car than thousands of times over a city car has to starts it's engine, how often it uses it brakes, how many cycles it's transmission shifts, not to mention the potholes and curbs a city car encounters over a freeway cruiser. On top of all that, state agencies tend to take better care of their cars... after all, a cruiser breaking down at 5th & Broadway is alot closer to help and less an impact to the area than a car (like my B4C) that was the only patrol car in a relatively large area (a cruiser in some places in California is the only one assingned to areas the size of most east coast cities.

CHP has tested quite a few "donated" cars. They even ran a few Volvos about 6 years ago. Arizona ran a couple of Thunderbird SCs when they 1st came out that were donated. However, donated cars are more for the automaker to find weaknesses and improve strengths in their cars.

The big deal is when a major agency like the CHP thinks highly enough of a car to spend their own budgets to buy it. When the CHP became the 1st major agency to buy Ford's New Special service Mustang (the 1st car of it's type created especially for police use), it was a major coup for ford.

Ask anyone old enough to remember the :"This Mustang Chases Porsches For A Living" advertizement campaigns, or the Mustang brochures that had at least 1 picture somewhere of a Mustang in black & white police garb, or the countless police agencies (including Seal Beach, CA) that used the Mustang as a public relations tool, and not the least, how many teenagers and regular cer guys would gather around a police Mustang at a gas station and ask questions and give complements or how frequently police departments would send one of their Mustangs to a car show or Mustang gathering.

Sure, the CHP bought between 150-200 Mustangs per year on average, but those Mustangs probally helped sell thousands over civilian Mustangs. Again, people saying to themselves "If that car can take their heavy usage, then it's GOT to be dependable!"

If you already hate a car, then seeing them on the highway isn't going to matter a heel of beans to you, regardless as to how well they do perform. On the other hand, the slightest problem is going to be magnified because you're already biased against the car. That's human nature.

But to the neutral guy or gal on the streets who begins to see something eye catching or "high profile" being used (ie: Mustang, Camaro, or even a still aggressive looking Charger), it's going to turn on a light inside their noggin.

Z28Wilson

Actually, I'm quite indifferent toward the Charger. And I'll stand by my opinion....whether or not the 5th Gen is bought by CHP, or Michigan State Police, or whomever....will be almost irrelevant to its image or success.

Does Ford have a police package for the late model Mustang yet?

fredmr39

I don't know if the general population would see it that way...I think most would just see it as "wow that car must be fast!" -- and those that do know "more" and see them as dependable, probably are smart enough to wait for the next Camaro!

30thZ286speed

It sure didn't take someone very long to make a 5th gen CHP model.



I gotta say that looks pretty cool, but it would have been better as a slick top.

fredmr39

looks nice! I'd try to get a speeding ticket just to get close to one!

I have not yet seen a photo of the Camaro with an antenna either...helps me visualize a production version better....even though it's something as stupid as a vertical line added to the car.

If they produce that Italian style Mustang....I wonder if that car's design has anything that wouldn't be suitable for a cop car (giant glass piece?)

graham

Just a quickie..

Wouild it not be fairly asinine (sp?) for CHP to assume that an all new (ground up) car thats been to rest for 7 years would be the same as it was in (basically) '93?

Z28Wilson

There's two types of logic you could use. Logic 'A' would say the car is new from the ground up, has infinitely more resources, effort and attention given to it, and the fact that it's supposed to be a statement car from GM in terms of quality (per guionm) makes it a great buy.

Logic 'B' goes along the lines of....fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice....

guionM

The B4Cs ran with the thin bar with LEDs. Even at a few car lengths, it looks like a ski rack. The Mustangs used to have the internal flashing lights mounted above the rearview against the windshield or the red spotlight.

The paint job is accurate though.

Great job.

30thZ286speed

I know I wasn't clear on my post.........it was late, I didn't make this model, I found the pics. surfing the web and linked them here.

Question for GuionM, whats the deal in California with police cars haveing a red spotlight or red light on the front dash that doesn't flash?

Steve in Seattle

Mine lasted 230,000 miles till the head gasket blew... I'm contemplating putting it on the new stroker just ot see how much farther it'll go.

fredmr39

UHP-CAMARO

For Whaterver reason it's the Law in CA that Police Vechicles must have a steady burn Red Light to the front. Hence the term "Califorina Light" when used in a Light Bar.