Imagine, what if…What if Jake and Elwood had this 1985 Dodge Ramcharger 4X4 instead of their ’74 Monaco? Well, they could have run over a lot more stuff, with ease, but they probably wouldn’t see 125 MPH while haulin’ hindside under the Chicago loop. And that makes me wonder, what would the 5-0 have used this utility truck for? I don’t believe that I’ve ever encountered one so this find is quite the treat. Located in Fontana, California, this former member of the CHP’s motor pool is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $6,150 with thirteen bids tendered so far.
The first thought that I had when reviewing this listing was, “How do I know that it’s real?” You know, it could just be a black-and-white painted Ramcharger. Well, there are no police markings but there is evidence of spotlights and radio antennas, etc. Most importantly, this Ramcharger is powered by a 360 CI V8 engine which appears to be an “E58” police interceptor powerplant – the dual snorkel air cleaner is a telltale. This one’s really not a runner as the seller mentions, “As you can see in the video the motor does turn over but like I said it has been sitting so it will need the proper steps to get it back on the road” – and the catalytic converter has gotten nicked. In addition to the four-wheel drive assembly, the drivetrain includes an A727 TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission. The mileage listing is 142K miles so the condition of the power and drivetrain may be up for some refurbishment.
The exterior is in fair shape, it has some scratches and contusions but all-in-all, shows pretty well. The finish looks like a no-frills police car-style paint job – it’s as basic as it gets though the Dodge and Ramcharger badging has been curiously removed. There’s no indication of removed push bars or winches but not all police cars are equipped the same way. The lack of component evidence still begs the question of what role this Ramcharger played at CHP.
The interior is nuts and bolts cop car stuff. The only non-patrol car item that I noticed is the 85 MPH speedometer. But then again, a Ramcharger isn’t going to be used to haul in speeders, except maybe on a beach or a remote two-track. There is an installed rollbar, police equipment or a later installation, I wonder. And as the seller noted, there’s no headliner which I imagine aligns the interior experience of this jacked-up 4X4 to that of a sardine can.
OK, so it’s now what to do with it time. One could try to turn it back into a look-a-like cop car for car show purposes. Or, it could be enhanced to serve as a newer take on an old off-roader, or you could do nothing and just drive it as is, or…what’s your suggestion?
That’s a cool find, Jim! I love those things. Well, not as far as seeing one in the rearview mirror, or, come to think of it, even necessarily a Ramcharger, but ex-law-enforcement vehicles. I’ve only seen two others in the last eight years, they have to be pretty rare and both were below the snowbelt, so no need for 4×4 other than for beach use maybe?
https://barnfinds.com/highway-patrol-1982-dodge-ramcharger-chp/
https://barnfinds.com/rare-1990-dodge-ramcharger-highway-patrol-4×4/
4WD trucks/SUV’s are pretty common in the northern/eastern mountain regions of California, especially in remote areas here they have to deal with flatlanders stuck in the snow or offroad somewhere. Don’t recall seeing any CHP on the beaches but in the desert climes too they’ll occasionally have one available..
Insofar as the Speedo, the Ramcharger was nothing more than a stripper fleet type order with A/C according to the guys I’ve met who drive these so the it won’t have a “certified” tag on the speedometer anywhere.
It appears to be a bonafide ex-LE rig, especially with the hole on the rear area for old style whip antenna!
GLWTA
FWIW, this is info from the folks at an annual gathering in Ripon CA that we came across by chance some years ago while on a motorcycle trip down that way..
https://www.riponmenloparkpolicecarshow.com/
Love the photo of the AMC EAGLE AWD in the one photo. I have a maint. and owners manual of the EAGLE wagon and there was mention of the Enforcement species of these available to Agencies, but have never seen one other than in that book
Mrgreenjeans:
https://code3garage.com/california-highway-patrol-amc-eagle/
Enjoy!
Oh WoW….. THAT is so very cool and interesting !
Thanks for sharing. I put it right up on my f/b page because my friends all knew I had a few Eagle wagons back in the day. Mine were used as ‘back-up’ vehicles to my RHD Subaru Legacy wagon I used on a rural mail route for 18 years. I put around 300,000 on all three, but the Eagles I bought used each with around 100 on them. Legacy I bought new in August of ’87 as model year ’88. All gave excellent service as well as an ’88 LeSabre I also put a few hundred thousand on driving to and from the route 100 miles a day
In addition to driving in higher elevations and on unimproved roads these sometimes towed the boat or snowmobile. Searching for people isn’t always on the highway.
These were in use by Sheriff and State H.P. back in the 80’s and some were gifted the 440. I saw one ex- Forest Service unit with a 440 and the owner claimed documentation of roughly around 800 built with that powertrain. If one googles the tragic story of Law Enforcement and the ‘Posse-Comitatus’ in the mid ’80s, you will find photos of the shoot-out on a lonely two lane highway in ND with photos of one of these sitting across the lane of travel. If memory serves me, that L.E. had his finger shot off and he witnessed the murder of a Federal Agent as Gordon Kaul and family (tax-protestors) skirmished and escaped, wherein he later was gunned down in Missouri holed up at sympathizer’s compound.
I remember State auctions of these trucks and had tried to bid and win on a Ram Charger, but it went for way more than I could afford at that time
Interesting to see the blue silicone top radiator hose in that engine photo. Those hoses in the SSP Mustangs and P71 Crown Vics were always so cool.
John,Ponch,and Bonnie Bear
This would be a cool rig for the local drive-on beach surf fishing excursions. Buying a car from the police is like buying a horse from the Amish though if you know what I mean.
From a retired CHP Sgt:
“ Lol. Never drove one the CHP commercial vehicles. Too slow”
Vehicle for enforcement of commercial trucking.
This should settle the what is it? Talk in here
I had an ’84 that was originally an OPP vehicle, would go any where and was still running when I sold it at 480,000 Km’s. Awesome truck!!
Ok – it’s neat and all but lets get down to the real nitty….what I see on the close up windsheild picture is a really smoked good/bubbles like you’d see on an older 50’s/60’s car – so why is the hood paint so good. I always go to the ad in this case Ebay and look over before making a comment or passing. Since the seller mention 15 yrs on Ebay and now getting bad feedback – I thought I’d check that out. Anyway it’s a non-runner and on Cali’s in-op status BUT what really got me is the title IS NOT IN HAND YET – so buyer beware.
I asked him if the vehicle ever passed the Calif. smog since he has owned.. He did not answer the question but rather said the Catalytic Convertor and something else was stolen like I stated in the listing. I sent another question last week and he has not responded because it will probably not smog. 83.3% ebay feedback rating will not win you alot of interest.