This 1993 Ford Mustang LX is a genuine SSP car that was purchased direct from the dealer but never put into police duty. Therefore, it retains the features that made the SSPs a unique model in the Mustang lineup but without any of the holes or other cosmetic blemishes created when the light bars and computers were installed. As such, it’s a stripped-down model with some mechanical beefing up that makes for a unique opportunity for the Fox Body collector in your life. Find it here on eBay with bids over $8K and the reserve unmet.
In addition to being an SSP car, it features the desirable notchback body design and a manual transmission. The LX always had a bit of a sleeper element to them, as they didn’t come with the iconic pony wheels but still featured the venerable 5.0L V8 and factory dual exhausts. The Mustang still has high miles of 168,000 but doesn’t appear to show them in any obvious form; the seller notes the car belongs to his father who evidently took great care to keep the body straight while not adding any of the typical alterations you see on Fox Body cars.
I’ve never been entirely clear on how you could own an SSP model without being a registered representative of a municipality or police department, but perhaps one of our readers can shed some light on the acquisition process for civilians. The interior is in freakishly good condition for the mileage, especially considering the colors are the type that would easily reveal stains or cigarette burns. The dash is and cockpit is extremely spartan in true pursuit vehicle fashion, but this also means there’s far less to break as the Mustang gets older.
I would assume this SSP has the heavy-duty cooling and charging system that was standard in the police-spec vehicles, which may not be noticeable in everyday driving as a civilian car but is still nice to have. While I struggle to defend placing a huge premium on this car solely for those upgrades alone, I do think it’s a special opportunity to own an SSP car that hasn’t been through the rigors of serving as an actual police vehicle and all that entails. Hopefully, the reserve isn’t much more than $10K, which seems like a fair number for an SSP surviving in what looks like very respectable condition.
Zero Pursuits…Great title!
Probably worked for a Ford Dealer. The General Manager of the local dealership where I grew up had both Mustang SSP and Taurus police package demos regularly back in the day.
Unless the VIN designates the car as an SSP there is no evidence in the ad to support the sellers claim. The ad says he has paperwork, why not include it. Since SSP Mustangs are highly sought after, especially one that was never subjected to the typical abuse associated with an active duty police car showing it can only increase its sale price.
Steve R
I wonder if a highway patrol vehicle was not treated much better than that owned by the typical owner–It will have been rigorously maintained, probably not drag raced. have spent most of it’s life being driven very moderately with occasional spins up to 80. It probably won’t have a zillion cold trips but 8 or more hour run times when patrolling. I’ve seen/heard the city patrollers carboned up, pinging, blowing black smoke an unable to accept full throttle without missing and farting!
I have a couple of friends in the CHP, their patrol cars are well maintained, but abused beyond belief. Most cars aren’t working one 8 hour shift per day, shifts are generally 10 to 12 hours, sometimes cars are in service around the clock. When in a hurry to back up another officer or pursuing someone, speed bumps, driveways and other obstacles are all but ignored. Remember, these aren’t their car, these are work vehicles meant to catch or stop people by often times by whatever means necessary.
I asked one if he’d ever buy a used police car, his response was immediate, never.
Steve R
There seems to be a lot of talk about the validity of this 93 ssp
They have posted since on the Ebay website pictures that should confirm the prof it is an actual ssp car with all the documentation and original window sticker
I personally know of the purchase of these 7 cars that never went into service and this is one of those cars
I’ll agree with Steve, I doubt this was a SSP. I read, ’93 was the last year, and by then most the SSP’s had automatics. Some of the early ones had 5 speeds, but it was found, it distracted the officer from other duties. Also, SSP’s had bigger alternators, trans and oil coolers, and full size spare ( that we can’t see). Said it before, a bear to work on, with that many miles, hope it’s got a new heater core. My ’88 was just like this, only automatic, and I didn’t care for the car one bit. My ’95, now THAT was a nice Mustang.
Radiator looks standard..alternator looks standard..no proof that it’s an SSP. VIN would tell the story. Lots of parts could’ve been changed over the years which would make this a pretty standard 5.0 notch and you can still buy the heavy duty parts
Conquer on not authentic until proven otherwise.
The Fox 🦊 body has never looked that great to me. Its just too bland but they produced every year and that gives high praise from me.
Amen! 4 lugs, slow, terrible brakes, lousy traction, inept is best I can describe. What really gets me is when a Fox owner asks some high price for his/her car and they say “don’t try to low ball me, I know what I have.” All I can do is laugh out loud and roll my eyes. No high praise here.
VIN Check: http://www.specialservicemustang.net/VINlist/SC/1993SC210431/info210431.htm
Great points/questions of its SSP package authenticity, and link for its VIN. The only item that I see in the pics that agrees with the SSP claim is the relocated small yellow trunk release button (from the glove box) located just at the drivers left knee. The most obvious visual would have been of the speedo/odometer- that would not only show the mileage, but the speedo would have the “certified calibration” text written at the bottom of the speedo. Yes, both could be faked, but it’s very unlikely someone would bother with both. I believe it’s legit.
Don’t they all have a double buck tag on the core support? That would be easy to confirm. Even if the hoses, rad, and alternator have been switched I doubt someone would remove the tag.
It could have, and the drivers door tag would have had a six digit DSO to indicate a special order.
http://sspmustang.org/FAQ.htm
The VIN by itself won’t provide the confirmation.
A quick read of the VIN indicates this is an LX.
Buyer beware – my suggestion is to order a Marti Report on the this Mustang. To my it appears to be garden variety notchback. SSP or not still a highly desired Mustang especially in original form.
VIN will not confirm if it is an SSP nor can the presence of SSP options which are able to be added to non-SSP cars. Every SSP was a special order vehicle and therefore must at a minimum have a 6 digit DSO code on the door certification label and buc tag under the hood as well as on the build sheet if available. The later two also often list the customer name. Seller has included photos of none of these so buyer beware.
Got pulled over one time by an unmarked one. man, how cruel is that?!!! Here I am all aware of every old Plymouth and Crown Vic four door lurking in the bushes, I wasn’t expecting a Stang! Never understood the cry to assault motorists for doing 80 MPH on freeways designed for that speed and above when most vehicles at the time handled like old farm wagons. Just grubbing for money, my opinion. Cops are needed on the roads, of course, but they should be traveling with the traffic, that way they can see the drunks, the obvious old people who are a hazards, the young and reckless, the distracted drivers. Instead, they sit at the side of the road fishing for easy prey. I do like the car, however.
I’ll betcha a dollar it’s a legit SSP -packaged car. It’s a shame the Seller didn’t do themselves a favor by posting a couple SSP-specific pics to dispel our (entertaining) debate, but yes- the buck tags along with the calibrated speedo would finish the argument. Any “unmolested” 5.0 Notch with a 5 speed brings good money, but a SSP car that never went into police service… wow! I’ll bet it goes to $15-$16 K. I owned two NC SSP-packaged cars, one a formerly marked NCHP unit. What fun… especially when I owned mine back in about ’95 when they still had other identical SSP cars in Service. Lots of folks happy to move over into the right lane for you wherever you went!
You can also get a Car Fax report for this year car. ( I have it for my 93 LX Vert) It may not tell you if it is a SSP but you may be able to put a few more pieces of the puzzle together. Just a thought.
The seats are generic LX as well as the wheels, both of which indicate an SSP car. It would make sense that the hoses have been changed. The blue silicone ones likely expired long ago. As stated, the DSO tag on the door will tell the tale, but this one certainly looks the part based on what I see.
10 smackers (and we’re not done yet) seems like a lot to me for a 170,000 Fox Mustang, SSP or not. A buddy had one with over 100 back in the day and it was pretty squeaky and rickety!
Car is my dad’s. I’ll put the pictures everyone wants to see up on the eBay ad tomorrow. Car is a real SSP. There were 6 or so left over in 1993 from South Carolina, my dad and a friend of his bought them all, sold them, and kept one each.
YEAH!!! That’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout! I’m not even in the market, but am looking forward to the pics! I’d include any and all of the story in your ad also.
Why would such a car have aluminum wheels? Shouldn’t they be police only heavy duty black steel ones with a small chrome center section? Ez way to spot an unmarked car – hee hee – not to mention also illegally tinted side windows(in the northeast) – what & who are they hiding from? – we SEE you! lol
Hardly spartan, since it has power windows, carpeting, am/fm cassette, & a/c!!
& why would such a car have almost white cloth seats & very light colored carpeting! & does the carpet in the passenger footwell match the rest of the carpet? hmmh
Pictures are up on eBay. Trunk button, full size spare, certified calibration, and the original window sticker.
Window sticker and buck tags tell it all, a true SSP. No better documentation.
Seller just dropped the mic on you doubters…🤣
I am now the 2nd owner of this real, never in service SSP. As Patrick Wilmont mentions above, his Dad bought this car new. I have all the original documentation, books, window sticker, bill of sale, etc. all from Jacky Jones of Jacky Jones Ford. Both buck tags in place, original Gatorback spare. Car has been mechanically restored with only worn out necessary items replaced; clutch, radiator, heater core, belt, hoses, fluids, tires. Thirty hours of detailing really helped the car. It looks great once again. Original exhaust still in place. Daily driven in nice Denver weather.
Doug Brown, Highlands Ranch, Colorado.