Through the ’80 and ‘90s, the Ford Mustang became very popular with law enforcement and government agencies. They were commonly used as pursuit units on the interstate highway system. This 1990 Mustang SSP (Special Service Package) is one of six said to have been used by the New Mexico State Patrol. It’s located now in Stockton, California and available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $10,001, and the reserve has not yet been met.
The third generation of the Mustang had a very long run, from 1978 to 1993. Enthusiasts tend to divide this gen into two sub-groups, the 1979–86 cars with their quad headlight arrangement, and the 1987–93 cars with their aerodynamic composite headlamps and front fascia styling. 1989-90 was the period of the 25th anniversary of the Mustang. All models built during an 18-month period then received a passenger-side dashboard emblem with galloping-horse logo in recognition.
The Special Service Package (SSP) on the Mustang began as a request from the California Highway Patrol for Ford to produce a capable and lightweight police car that would be more nimble than the then current Fairmont’s and LTD/Crown Victoria’s being used. Starting with the 5.0-liter Mustang, Ford came up with the SSP and modified them for police and law enforcement use. It’s estimated that 15,000 of these cars were built between 1982 and 1993.
This 1990 25th Anniversary Mustang LX has documentation indicating it was one of the six employed by the NMSP. It has 104,000 miles on it, but these were most likely on the open highway. Each of the orders placed for a batch of SSPs were usually different, and this one includes, at a minimum, an exhaust H-pipe, police-upgraded alternator and a hood with cowl induction. But any way you cut it, this car will likely outrun any stock 5.0 Mustang. The seller tells us the car has no mechanical issues – and the air conditioning blows cold!
A civilian version of the 1990 Mustang LX with a 5.0 can bring $10-15,000. Because this one has been set up to run hard and fast, buyers might be convinced to pay a few dollars more. On the other hand, hard and fast can lead to a car that will wear out sooner. Would you be in the market for a Mustang that previously served in law enforcement?
Amongst the cognoscenti, 79-86s have been nicknamed “four-eyed foxes” & 87-93s are “aeronose foxes or simply “aerofoxes”.
But none, I mean NONE, are Foxy 🤣
I think it’s unlikely that the raised hood was factory-installed. I can’t imagine a law enforcement department paying extra for a decorative piece like that. Underhood photos clearly show that intake air is taken from the right inner fender like other Mustangs. Fabricating or sourcing a hood like that for factory assembly would have been very expensive, particularly since there were only 6 cars involved.
Correct. A cowl induction hood was not part of the SSP package.
Maybe it was the same department who put the Z28 spoiler, hood blisters and emblems on the RS B4C that was on here last week?
Can we please stop with the 1 of whatever?
This car is not 1 of 6 produced but rather 1 of 6 purchased by a certain buyer which means nothing.
Miguel, you stole my thunder! LOL…. I fully agree with you. Somewhat misleading title to this posting.
Steve, when I start sending Mexican Mustangs to the US I am going to advertise them as 1 of 1 in the US and see how that works for me.
Absolutely!!!
But this one is one of one repainted in this
blue color.
After some ‘spirited driving on Highway 101,
I had a Mustang behind me.I got a little nervous until
I saw the New Mexico plates.When it pulled up next to,
me,I noticed it also had a roll bar in it.I’m sure that it
was an SSp car.
One of one repainted in this blue color 🤣
angliagt, How did you see the New Mexico plate when the car was behind you? New Mexico hasn’t used a front plate in forever.
The one thing that this has going for it is that it’s from a dry climate and not the dreaded rust belt. Otherwise it’s just a Ford fanboy special.
I own an ssp mustang from Missouri. They are really cool if you have all the documents and,buck tags to prove it is an original SSP. I have all the docs. Even have the log book for service and warranty card. My interior is riddled with screw holes from police equipment. Pretty nice car. Don’t drive it much.
This one looks good. Prices for the foxes are going up. It all comes down to how much do you want it.
In 1989 we had a Ford Heavy Truck Convention in Salt Lake City. A bunch of us Canadian dealers wanted to go to Bonneville about 125 miles away on I-80. We rushed down to the Budget counter and one guy beat us to the only Mustang GT. The rest of us got Lincolns. Speed limit on I-80 was ‘just a suggestion’!! Mustang guy running 90, another Mustang pulls up beside him with young guy driving. The race was on!! Finally at a buck twenty five the blue light appeared on the dash!! TILT. They even had a VISA machine to take his $275!!
I bought a 91 SSP Colorado State Patrol car in 95 from an ad in Hemmings . It had a 5 speed and a 4 point rollbar , 85k miles . I drove back to Pennsylvania by way of Nashville , I had my best friend with me . I sold him the car 4 years later . I regret selling that car as much as I do the 70 W30 442 I sold in 85 to fund a house purchase when I got married . I miss both cars , I still have the wife . Oh well .
Daddy told me “never buy a used hot rod.”
A number of years ago, I had my car in a guy’s shop getting a new top. His yard was fenced in there were about 5-6 1986 Mustang coupes sitting there. I was looking at them and the were all 5.0 automatics, with US Govt plates. I asked about them, and he told me his partner had purchased them at auction. I tried to buy one, but they weren’t for sale at the time. They looked to be stock in appearance, not sure if anything was special about them or not
Probably not.
All Ford police spec cars i have seen have blue silicone “severe service” coolant hoses. I’ve owned an SSP in the late 90s and a few Crown Victorias in the 2000s. This one does not have them.
So this is now a true one of a kind!!! Seller needs to add $5k to the price!! I’m surely some mustang maniac out there will pay it.
I like that little Musty Thang