While some enthusiasts ignore four-door sedans, classics like this 2010 Ford Crown Victoria are worth a close look. This Crown Vic is a former Police Interceptor, offering some notable mechanical upgrades that unlock improved performance and reliability. It presents well as a genuine survivor and is ready to find a new home. The seller has listed the Interceptor here on eBay in Libertyville, Illinois. Bidding sits at a mere $3,600 in a No Reserve auction.
Ford introduced its Second Generation Crown Victoria during the closing days of 1997, with the company’s latest offering sharing many of its design cues with the Mercury Grand Marquis, although with less use of chrome exterior trim. Our feature Crown Vic left the factory in 2010, seeing active service with California’s law enforcement authorities. Ordered in Code UA Black, the car presents quite well as a survivor that has worked for a living. The seller admits that a close inspection reveals minor flaws and imperfections, but none appear bad enough to justify any form of cosmetic refresh. The fact that it has spent its life in a dry climate makes its rust-free status unsurprising. Its original exhaust wears some mild surface corrosion, but the floors and exterior steel are rock-solid. The plastic hasn’t succumbed to age, and the tinted glass is excellent.
The secret to the attraction of this Crown Vic hides below the surface. The 4.6-liter “Modular” V8 was standard fare in 2010, with the “garden variety” model producing a respectable 224hp and 265 ft/lbs of torque. However, the Police Interceptor version received a boost, with power and torque climbing to 250hp and 297 ft/lbs. Other changes included a larger radiator and external coolers for the transmission, power steering, and engine, to cope with extended high-speed running. Ford recalibrated the computer to provide a more aggressive shift for the four-speed automatic transmission, while the suspension received upgrades for more sure-footed handling. One attraction of these cars is their maintenance history, because that process is typically meticulous to maximize reliability. Interestingly, this Crown Vic won’t have seen much high-speed work, being used by the Commander of the LAPD during its active life. The seller indicates that it features a new transmission, but this classic is otherwise unmolested. It runs and drives perfectly, allowing the winning bidder to fly in and drive it home.
While most law enforcement vehicles feature hard-wearing vinyl trim, this Crown Vic was specified with cloth trim in keeping with the role in which it served. It also features ice-cold air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power driver’s seat, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/CD player. The presentation is all you would expect from a vehicle that hasn’t been abused or mistreated. The upholstered surfaces exhibit minimal wear, the dash looks excellent, and there is no broken plastic. Everything works as it should, with no functional issues or problems.
I acknowledge that this 2010 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor won’t appeal to everyone, but it could be ideal for enthusiasts wishing to combine performance with practicality. Law enforcement officers may have utilized it, but it still possesses enough luxury touches to provide a comfortable motoring experience. The Interceptor has attracted fourteen bids, with the listing garnering over 230 views in the past day. That suggests that people like what they see, but it may still remain in affordable territory once the hammer drops and it heads to a new home. And head to a new home, it will, because the lack of reserve means that the high bidder will become its next owner. Are you tempted to make it yours?
Wow this looks a honey, and in the best color. High miles but probably a leisurely life. Doubtful the Commander’s car was idling for hrs in the summer heat daily. The Commander didn’t even spill a coffee ☕️ it looks like.
Love the full wheel covers instead of the police dog dish. Fresh transmission too. Be a nice ride for resident Ford lover Bob. Thanks for the article Clarkey👍
Plenty to like here, even with the high miles (which for a Panther isn’t really all that many).
Maybe you are a youngish (or middle age) guy in good physical shape. Start wearing a black suit. And sunglasses, all the time. Drive this car. Wherever you go, you would get stares and plenty of respect.
My 2003 former Georgia State Patrol CV just hit 208,000, got it in 2012 with 140K, it got a new Ford transmission at 130K, only problems have been a Fuel pump at 180K, Intake Manifold 185K, Exhaust Manifold at 190K, unusual as it has full carpet but vinyl rear seat, love how you can’t open the doors from the back seat
Is that due to missing door handles? Easily remedied if so.
It’s got the handles, they’re just not connected, (think it’s part of the “Police Package”) was funny when I gave my parents a ride and pretended not to know what was wrong. GSP also ordered them with the super dark Ford Window tint so it’s legal under Georgia’s tint law.
Ah the Panther P71 Police platform. The most successful police car ever built. Some departments still use these and keep worn out extras that they use for parts. And ask a cop, they’ll tell you they’d rather run these than the police Explorers that most now use.
Ford really messed up by stopping the manufacturing of these panther platform cars.
Had the cop market cornered Ron. I guess the bean counters did the math and it didn’t add up. Running the awd suv’s is the norm up here. More wasted money on fuel and maintenance no doubt. Can’t blame the cops in the snow belt for wanting awd cars however. Plenty of Taurus awd cop cars along w the Explorers.
IIRC, the Crown Vics DID NOT MEET THE UPCOMING ROLL-OVER SAFETY SPECIFICATIONS. Upon announcing end of production, Departments EVERYWHERE quickly went to double their procurement budgets and enter a double order during that last year of production, buying a little time to find replacements.
I used the same strategy when the Utility that employed me was buying the last class 7 trucks before Tier-4 Diesel Emissions were implemented. At the time I was a Fleet Manager (without the title). I told the Special Projects Manager (to whom I reported) about the upcoming emissions law change, to include the unknown additional costs of purchasing the trucks, operational and maintenance costs and the cost of using DEF. I told her, “no one knows just how much it will cost to operate Tier-4 Diesel emissions” and gave her the government’s estimated costs, with the caveat of “Since when has the government ever estimated the cost of anything correctly?”
Her response was “Make a proposal for doubling the buy and the addition of the new units. I’ll sign off on it and take it to the CFO and we’ll get it done.”
Men in Black. I like this Vic. It makes four doors look good. Interesting that it’s got the performance boost. My understanding was the old police packages were heavy duty cooling and suspension and pretty much stock engine. I don’t know about respect but others will feel fear looking at this car in their rear view mirror.
Guys,
Anyone who buys this car will have many more years of enjoyment. Don’t let that odometer scare you. With proper maintenance, you can expect to get closer to 500,000 miles or even more with this engine pretty sweet car for little money go for it someone. I would but I already have two!
Bought my County Sheriff’s ’89 back in ’92. Had the hopped up 5.0 w/all the extras. Got it at 140K miles, got totaled by EX girlfriend at 270K. Miss that car a whole bunch more than her. Wish was closer as I would be all over it.
That’s what you get for letting her drive it. What a shame.
There are good reasons used Crown Vics and Chev. Caprices have both been favorites for taxi fleets.
Your correct about your comment!
When my wife was working for a local city I talked with the police chief. He had a supply of Recaro driver seats that were designed with a relief at the bottom of the seat back so the officers’ duty belts had room. When the cars were taken out of service the Recaro was removed and the OEM driver seat was installed so it looked as good as this one inside.
Beautiful car! Leave it stock or throw performance parts at it if you like but either way you will enjoy it. I own a 2003 Marauder that is a 4.6 that puts out 302 horse and I love it and I own a ’67 Shelby GT350 and a ’14 GT500 but my Marauder is my daily driver. The Panther chassis cars offer comfort and performance.
Dual exhaust was standard on interceptors. In the early days the standard CV had 190hp and the trailer package which had duals had 210hp. Standard car had a 2.79:1 axle, trailer pkg had 3.55:1. I think the interceptor got 3.23:1. The trailer pkg was no longer available after 96.
Trailer pkg always a can’t miss option. The cop cars didn’t have limited slip standard 😳 Buddy had one. Open axle. We were surprised.. Can’t recall his final drive. Maybe 3.27
My late nephew was restoring a 2000
model when he passed away 3 years
ago. And while his was in rougher shape than this one, he was very proud of it and was gradually fixing it
up as his funds permitted. I recall the
last Christmas he was with us. The city of Winter Haven was short a few
Cruisers to direct traffic at the Christmas Parade so they borrowed
his CV for traffic control. He was so
proud that night they did it and they
let him use the light bars that he had
in the car for cruise nights up at Old town near Kissimmee. I went with him a few times and the crowds loved it. In fact, we’d hear some Hispanic
people say “Policia” as we drove past
the crowds. My niece was to inherit the car, but other family members
wrecked it out of spite. It’s a crying shame that people can be so petty.
I’ve had my 2005 Crown Vic former detective’s car since 2017. Bought with 52k miles and now at 139k. Pretty much trouble free. I commute in to Manhattan daily and I can say it’s the perfect car for such a commute. I’ve had multiple police officers tell me how much they miss the Crown Vic. Now that my daughter is of driving age she will be taking over the reigns of the Crown Vic.
Need to do what I saw done on a Crown Vic in Florida a couple of years ago. On the back bumper said “NOT A COP”, and front bumper had same thing but mirror image so it’d read right in someone’s rear view mirror.
We moved out of CT in ’97 (Gooood move, Willie!) and up until then, the CTSP used all UNMARKED Crown Vics, any color, with even the wheel covers. A few had light bars. The rest had lights in the upper corners of the windscreen and backlight.
I don’t know if the state was being sneaky or cheap. Either way, everyone’s CV got respect.
I have had my 2000 Vic since 2018 it’s a clone of this vehicle velour seats power everything, ice cold air conditioning, cruise and traction control. I bought it with 89,000 miles now has 122,000 in the seven years I owned it, all I have put into it was a alternator, amazing ride, trans shifts perfectly, no leaks or oil burning, I have had many vehicles in my 73 years, this car is one of the best I have owned.
This Crown Victoria is a stripped down Lincoln Town Car which I find more appealing. Less things to maintain. It’s close enough to take a look at but I have to resist the temptation. I don’t think it will last.
i own two Panthers . Both rust free, but my cars muffllers don’t look that good in contrast to these. With routine maintenance, this California beauty is good for 150,000 miles. i used tp work with police. Hands down the Crown Vic was and will be the best poliic car ever. Today, the garbage Exploder with turbo issues are junk.
I don’t remember the exact years of Crown Vic. The Nevada Highway Patrol cars had ballistic plastic panels vertically mounted across the rear of the trunk area. (It was possible that it was standard issue from Ford, but have no reason to not think so.) Evidently the fuel tank was located aft of the rear axle and forward of the spare tire well. According to the head maintenance guy for the NHP. There had been multiple episodes of bullets shot through trunk lids, trunk vertical walls and into fuel tanks. Causing undesirable situations. Some years later they Ford moved the tanks under the trunk floor and behind bumper resulting in better fuel tank protection. (Don’t know if that was the real reason, just the result of the move.) I still have one of the panels in my “materials” stock collection.