I fantasize about driving an ex-law enforcement vehicle, just to shake up the 99.9% of people who are texting while driving, usually clogging the left lane so they don’t have anyone looking at them through the driver’s window. The seller has this luxury law cruiser listed here on eBay in Valencia, California in the Santa Clarita area, and there is a suggested opening bid price of $15,000 and no takers yet.
After driving 40,000 to 50,000 miles a year for the last 15 years and seeing the driving trends change for the worse during that time, I feel that I have enough experience to say that without it just being my opinion. But as they say, opinions are like… er… wait, this is a family show. Back to this great-looking Caprice.
Chevrolet offered the top-trim third-generation Caprice to consumers, commercial interests, and public service agencies from 1976 for the 1977 model year until 1991 when the redesigned models were introduced. It seems almost decadent for a public agency like law enforcement to use a Caprice when an Impala could do the job for less money, but one of you with law enforcement or public policy experience will hopefully fill us in on that. 1986 was a switch-over year for agencies to use the Caprice over the Impala for law enforcement, taxi, and other related uses.
The exterior of this car looks almost like new, as does the interior. It must have had an easy life. I’m guessing this one wasn’t used for wrangling the hardest of criminals, as fabric seats are unusual to see in a law enforcement vehicle, especially in the back seat, which is usually easy-to-clean vinyl. And, there’s no cage, although anyone as addicted to Adam-12 as I am, or any old police drama, wouldn’t have seen one in cars from that era.
Chevy used the production code 9C1 for vehicles destined for law enforcement or other emergency or commercial services. The main idea behind the 9C1 cars was that they were used for long hours, so being durable and having high performance were very important features. As such, the steering, suspension, braking, and other systems were upgraded. This example was reportedly owned by the U.S. government and was decommissioned around 2005, at which point it was sold at auction. The seller bought it from the auction winner after he owned it for a year and it received new paint in 2021 along with new seat fabric and headliner last year.
The engine is GM’s 350-cu.in. OHV V8 and it would have had 190 horsepower. The seller doesn’t say how it runs or operates, other than mentioning the AC system has been upgraded. What do you think this car was used for?
From the GUBMENT,,( whistles), this car saw more than what Reed and Malloy ever dealt with. A Chevy? Pfft, just doesn’t have the zing of the Dodge or a Ford. I don’t recall many Chevys, and this is precisely the era I would have noticed them. I think Michigan used Chevys and some western states, but the midwest was always Ford or Chrysler. Many city departments used Chevys, but city cops, or “local yokels”, were of no threat to us “boulevard” users. Wait, I think I did sit in the back of a Chevy cop car once. A Chicago cop pulled me over for overweight once. The joke was on him when the city scale was closed for repairs. That didn’t happen very often.
Again, for it’s sheer value and what’s available in cars today, makes this a steal, oops, I mean, a great deal, but lose the cop radios, unless that’s your thing. All those frequencies are probably history anyway. A cell phone has more features, I bet.
RE: Cop car for personal gain, unless it’s a new Charger, nobody will take you seriously. I recently saw a video, where someone in a new Corvette smoked( got away from) a pursuing trooper. The Corvette topped 160 mph on their radar, and was gone. Ditched the cop, they did. I did that once in a semi, ditched a cop. Not at 160 mph, but it sure felt good. Time for LEO depts to up the ante, no?
Not big fan of Chevrolet, however this one is a far sight better looking than the “butt ugly” 1991-1996 models. Like it better despite the fact the 1994-1996 9C1 having the far more powerful LT1 350. Guess I actually prefer the more boxy body styles.
It I were looking for a Police Package Caprice, this would be a very tempting buy.
The Illinois State Police, and many Illinois County Sheriff Departments as well as Municipal Police Departments used a great many Chevy Caprices from the late 80s all the way up until GM discontinued the Caprice and Impala in roughly 1997 or so. The Impala itself was discontined by Chevy in roughly 1989 or 1990, until it was picked back up again in roughly 1995. Almost any photo of an Illinois State Police cruiser taken after the 1990 model year were almost always Chevy Caprices.
PA state police and I believe OH and NY also used these. The kept a few nice ones around for the brass to drive to court, etc.
I think the only reason the Caprice was used for fleets vs. the Impala in the 1990 model year was because Chevrolet no longer offered the Impala at that time. It (the Impala) was picked back up by Chevrolet, however, around 1995 or so. I think that at one time in the later 2000s the Caprice made a short-lived appearance as a Police Package only car that wasn’t available for retail sale, but I believed those were only around for a year or so. By that time, most police cars were either Ford Crown Vics, other models of Chevrolets, as well as Dodge Chargers or Challengers.
I offer a 2 fold possibility as a former 1987 Crown Vic owner. (I’m not the enemy – pure necessity – I always lean Chevy). My civilian sense remembers when the Law was the big Buford type more than not. They are not going to want to cram into an Impala and lose an inch of gut room or comfort. 2, it was also a time of a bit looser repartee, shall we say between cops and suspects. Having been myself in the back of many of these cars in I would MUCH rather be in the back of a Caprice/Crown Vic than lose an inch in their less spacious offerings – it was a kinder, gentler time
The Caprice PPV was available to law enforcement from 2011 to 2017. I searched for a couple of years to find this 2012, found it about 6 years ago. The Chevy SS of about 2016 2017 was the civilian version of the Caprice PPV but with a 4 inch shorter wheelbase. They were based on the Australian GM Holden Commodore and could be speced with either a V6 or V8. Most, like mine came with a 6.0 liter LS based V8, 6 speed auto trans (rear wheel drive), independent rear suspension with a locking differential and most creature comforts (AC, tilt, cruise, power windows and locks, stereo cd etc)
I have several Chevy 9C1s, 95 Caprices and a 79 Malibu and have searched them out for their heavier duty components – brakes, fluid coolers upgraded suspension etc. My 2012 is my favorite highway cruiser. It is funny when someone comes smoking up from behind until they see the spotlight and don’t know what to do. Frustrating though when traffic is moving comfortably 5 – 10 mph over the limit but all slow down when they think a cop is in their midst.
Probably was used by an investigator or assistant chief. Maybe even a coroner. However 15g is a bit steep for a former govt cruiser. Reason he has gotten no takers. Have seen ford crown vics go from 500 to 2500 dollars at auction. Knew a 86 impala that sold in fair condition that was a fire chief’s car for 2g. None of em are collectibles for the most part. You can ask any price being an owner. Doesnt mean you will get any takers.
Decommissioned in 2005, this car had a long run.
@Scotty Gilbertson,
They switched from Impala to Caprice in 1986 because 1985 was the last year of the Impala nameplate. It would of course make a return in the ’90s.
Thanks, David and Abe! That’s something I should have known, thanks for filling in that blank in my brain.
flip the air filter top!!! sounds magic ..how i remember
I used to do that on my ’79 Belair! But in Edmonton when it got down to -40 and you nailed it the 350 in my car really did not like it. I mean it make the sound but did not go anywhere and sounded so unhappy. After that only would flip the air cleaner lid above -20!
Interesting car, surprised to see a power driver’s seat, tilt & cruise. Maybe it was a VIP’s car, but even then, I find it hard to believe they had it in service for that many years. I didn’t know they still offered the 350 in these, I thought only the 305 4 bbl or the 4.3L V6 with the throttle body injection. Whoever buys it should be ready to replace the timing chain, those nylon-coated gears usually don’t last much more than 100k miles. My 86 Monte SS needed one, and my friend in the auto parts store got me one for an older SBC, one that wouldn’t retard the timing for emissions. It really made a big difference in power.
I believe the 350 was only in the police package and maybe the wagons. The standard sedans had the 305. I think the 89 was the first year of the throttle body injection. My 87 didn’t have it but my 89 did.
🚨 was this a chief or detective model ? any time ive been cuffed and stuffed in the back of a cruiser, there isn’t any inside door handles 🤔 ?
Always loved the looks of these square box Caprice, especially with the cool full wheel covers, not the dog dish caps.
This car probably never saw much heavy duty police service. It could have served for anyone from a jail Captain to a public works supervisor. I’m only glad it was kept in light duty service for so long. Most of these cars were retired right into taxi service where they were driven into the ground before being scrapped (if they weren’t already scrapped by their original owners first).
Perfect. A 9C1 Police caprice, that with paint could have been in “To Live And Die In LA.”
And just to correct the record, the 4.3L engine was the 267(?) Small Block V8 (it along with the 5.7L made the jump to a Gen II small block). I just found out about this VERY RECENTLY.
The 4.3 V6 with TBI was offered from 1985-1989 in civilian Caprices. The 4.3 V8 based on the Gen II small block was first offered in 1994.
The Gen II 4.3 was not the same as the old 267 which only had a 3.5 in bore, and was a total turd by any measure. My uncle had a Malibu with that engine, and you could measure it’s 0-60 time with a sundial.
Also in 1990, as my car has
@Duany, IIRC, your’s likely would is either a taxi or police cruiser, as the V6 wasn’t available in the civvy version.
It was quite likely used a Base Police Cruiser. That year they bought a lot of Chevys. And they wouldn’t have received the punishment a Civilian Police Cruiser did.
The police package available on the Crown Victoria consisted of Aeroclip brand hoses, (aircraft quality) and larger brake calipers and the fuel pump was set at a higher speed. I purchased a 2000 from the Us Government and had to go to New Mexico from California to get it. Loved the way all cars would quickly pull over into the slow lane for me when on the interstates. Was a great car at a great price and was a metallic blue color. Only “give away” was the “Intercepter” label on the back. I am ready to buy another one now.
We had them in New Jersey, small block, single exhaust, they were slow but they were faster than the 1979 Ford LDT ll’s marked units that topped out at 90mph. However, when the curvy Chevys arrived later in the 90’s, the police package came with the corvette engine, dual exhausts, 130 mph. Nothing topped the early 70’sblack and white Plymouths though, 440, dual exhaust, flow through mufflers, 140+ mph, but, drum brakes and no one wore seat belts back then. As for the radios in the car, you could talk to someone if they had the same model radios in another car, good luck with that.
This is likely a 9C3, not a 9C1. The unmarked (detective) version had an interior and exterior more like a plain Jane civilian model.
9C3 was fleet non police. Taxicabs and other government cars. This is a 9C1
u.s. marshalls service…
I had to smile when I saw this. My first car was a 1975 Ford Torino that was ordered with the police package by someone working with the Northern Arizona Sheriff’s Department. I got it for 1500.00 In 1980 with less then 50k miles. White with a half vinyl top, the car came with a 460 V8, posi rear end, heavy duty suspension, and a “calibration certified” speedometer that went up to160. I ruined the car by doing typical teenager stuff and later blew the engine. We replaced it with a 429 from a Thunderbird and the horsepower increase was evident. I still (literally) dream about having that car back, albeit in its original form. Sadly, I sold it to a friend who sold it to a cousin who subsequently trashed it. I am left with memories and a few faded Polaroids.
If it was used as a police car there are small details that might give a clue if it was a city or county vehicle like the axle ratio it has.with the crown vics a 3.23 gear was used typically for county sheriff or state patrol and a 3.55 gear was typically for city and urban use.needs some platinum window tint to complete the look….
I appreciate the nice car. Saw plenty of these in action in Maryland. I always like to see the original paint and interior so I can get an idea of the cars history. Replacing that stuff certainly makes a nice car but hides its’ history somewhat. And its’ history can affect the value for money like this wants
The car has one bid, so maybe it will sell. I have the same car, but not police, was government a school district, has the 4.3 V-6 engine. I have 20,000 less miles on my car, but it’s not quite as nice as this one.
Just saw this. The V6 was fleet only, so this makes sense.
Driving home from Atlanta to St Louis after buying a BMW E60 M5, somewhere in Tennessee I decided to open it up and see what it would do. I dropped it down to 3rd gear and floored it, going to 8400 rpm in each gear. Once I got to around 140 mph, I was satisfied and proceeded to cruise at that speed for a while to see how it handles “on the autobahn”. I looked in my mirror and saw a Tennessee State Trooper in one of the “new” Caprice Pursuit Vehicles, keeping up with me without a problem. So I took my foot off the gas and started slowing down to pull over and get arrested. Once I got to 79 mph, he threw on his lights and pulled me over. I thought I was for sure getting arrested, but he looks up and down the M5 and said “what does this thing have in it?” So I told him how it has a 5.0 liter V-10, 500 horsepower and a 7 speed transmission and on the autobahn it’ll get close to 200 mph and he whistles and says “can I have your license and registration?” And I had to explain to him that I literally just bought it a few hours before in Atlanta, but I did have it insured and all the paperwork. He took the paperwork back to his cruiser and came back a few minutes later and handed me a ticket for going 79 in a 65. I couldn’t freaking believe it! I asked him if he was driving the new Caprice Pursuit Vehicle and puffed his chest out and said “Oh yeah, man. This thing can move! But it ain’t as fast as yours, though. Thank you for pulling over and not making me chase you, and try to drive the speed limit until you’re out of Tennessee.” And sent me on my way. Coolest getting-pulled-over-by-a-cop-for-going-felony-speed story I have. My friend was gobsmacked that I didn’t get cuffed and stuffed, and my wife probably would’ve divorced me if I did.
The whole reason I wrote this was because of other Barnfinders stories of either getting arrested by a cop in a Caprice or buying one, or being a cop in a Caprice. I also have a few stories of burning cops in a highly modified Mustang while the dude I was racing got caught, but those are for another time.
Found this, has some pretty interesting info on the 9C1.
https://code3garage.com/articles/1986-1990-chevrolet-caprice-9c1/
I think this car is what they used to call a “Slick”. They did in Car & Driver anyway. The California Highway Patrol used them to issue tickets. They never used radar, they would sit at an overpass and wait for a speeding car to pass by and then sneak up on them from behind and clock their speed before pulling them over. Once when driving in Cali I was speeding and checking my rearview mirror regularly and sure enough one just like this car appeared on an on ramp behind me quite a way’s back. I geared down and let the car get down to the speed limit and after a few miles he took an exit as he knew I knew he was there. Was a very good feeling!
For those of you smarter than me, and that’s most of you, what’s with the three handheld mics? I could understand one or two radios but why would this car have three?
Hi Lothar… of the Hill People, since there are also three anntenaes on the trunk and appears to have 3 radio bases in the trunk, it would seem the car is equipped with three separate radios. I remember back in those analog times driving behind a police cruiser, not only would I be glad I was following them vs. in front of them the car would often be littered with all the various antennaes and there was sometimes “whip” anntena as well. Nowadays I’m guessing they have a lot fewer antennaes and everything runs through their onboard digital systems vs. over the air. This made them easier to spot as “unmarked” cars, especially when the rear deck was full of the various red and blue rotating lights usually sporting fancy mirror setups vs. now when the modern LEDs are much smaller yet brighter, and less obvious (until they’re turned on).
Abe-
Yep, it used to be easier to spot a cop. Agreed!
I’m asking why a cop car would have three radios though. Why three?
Lothar, I’m not sure why they needed three separate radios but if the car was a municipal car (like city police department) they might need one for their local city frequency, and may have needed a completely separate radio to communicate with the county guys, and a third one to talk to the state boys? Just a guess though, I could be totally wrong.
I was kind of thinking along the same lines, but was thinking if it was a federal car, they might have federal, state frequency and local (county/city I think would be the same) so a radio for each level of jurisdiction.
Auction update: this one had no bids at the seller’s opening bid price of $15,000, so they relisted it with an opening bid price of… $15,000.
This one is going nowhere at that price, cop motor or not.
I’m guessing a cooler in temp white steering wheel was no longer offered in cop cars in the ’90s.
Surprised to see wheel covers instead of hub caps.
Some small towns even had cop cars with vinyl roofs & whitewalls back in the day! – like the Sheriff’s in “Live & Let Die”, who is almost an early Buford T Justice! Watch the classic “LIVE AND LET DIE | Boat chase” on youtube.
In 1960 Croswell, Michigan had a 1954 Studebaker for a police curser. We went at 2 in the morning to place a “bus stop” sign on a corner. We had to wait for the curser to make a run around town. We then quickly placed the sign and returned to Port Huron. Next day we went to check and it was gone already. the one we put in Mt. Clemens in front of the Jewel theater stayed for a month, They were only about 5 feet high and a cast iron base.
I purchased a 2000 Crown Vic with the police package. I bought it from the US Gov. Indian Affairs Dept. Great car, $1,800.00 and 75000 miles, was metallic blue and chrome rims and small wheel covers. Had the 160 MPH speedometer. power every thing and heavy duty, spot lights and label on the deck lid were the “giveaways” and loved the way all the cars would pull over. It even gave 20+ MPG. I have now bought about 5 cars from the US Gov. all great prices.
Auction update: it apparently sold the second time through, but the seller ended the auction early so we don’t know how much it went for.
The boat that James Bond had in that movie was at the Green Stone Winery in Ione, Ca. for many years. The owner also had a 1941 Cadillac model 61, (very rare model). I was a good friend of his and increased my knowledge of wine with him
I have owned several of these back in the mid 90s. They don’t drive anything like a regular Caprice. More like a big German car of similar vintage. Smooth but firm suspension, handling that had a little lean at turn in then none, very grippy Goodyear Eagle tires. Seats were firm and fabric was super durable. Great cars.