In my part of the world, Ford’s “Interceptor” Explorer is thee go-to cop car. Before that, it was Ford’s Interceptor Taurus, and preceding that it was Chevrolet’s ubiquitous W-body Impala (and I saw one last week that had to be at least ten years old). The Big Kahuna, however, was Ford’s everywhere Interceptor Crown Victoria. But, there was a time when Chevrolet’s 9C1 Impala/Caprice (’77-’90) occupied the same exalted Five-O perch as the Crown Vic. And today, for your review, we have a retiree from the class of 1989, a former New York State Trooper Chevrolet Caprice cruiser. This one’s been sitting for a while but it’s now marked up for a new assignment. You’ll find it cooling its heels in Eastwood, New York where it’s available, here on craigslist for $7,500. Linda D. gets a salute for this tip!
Before being acquired by the current seller, this Chevy sat for twenty years and apparently served as a wardrobe of some sort. Interestingly, it has only accumulated 80K miles in its tour of duty and afterlife so this sedan was probably employed more as a staff car. The RPO 9C1 designation is Chevrolet-speak for a police car package, you know, the old, ” It’s got a cop motor, it’s got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks….” (no 440 CI plant, however, and it does have a cat) but boy – it looks like a cop car and the list of equipment like heavy-duty suspension, limited slip axle, heavy-duty brakes and cooling system, certified speedometer, etc. are all testament to this car’s intended purpose in life.
The body seems to be straight with no bumper friction (and no front bumper filler!), and there are really no discernable police traits other than a pair of red lights behind the grille. From what can be spied, it appears as if all of the doggie bowl hubcaps have either been removed or have flown off. The finish is worn, consistently, and is a bit faded but there’s no indication of rust – the nemesis of northeast-domiciled vehicles of all stripes.
So, back to that cop motor matter, this Caprice actually has one, a 190 net HP, 350 CI V8 (OK, it’s no 440) but it is unique to the 9C1 police package – lesser Caprices were endowed with nothing more robust than a 305 CI V8. The seller adds, “All new fuel system, new exhaust from converter back. Car runs great!“. A four-speed automatic overdrive transmission channels pursuit power to the rear wheels.
The interior is an interesting study – it’s definitely not a perp parlor, with its snazzy fabric upholstery and split bench seat, it shows more like a staff sergeant’s steed. The overall condition, now that the detritus has been removed, shows as surprisingly clean and sound though the dashpad has taken a few hits – it’s a common foible with this generation Chevy.
This is a non-carpeted, rubber-matted interior environment – no surprise there but note the auxiliary gauges attached with sheet metal screws – it doesn’t look like part of a factory, professional package. There are two regular production gauge options included, UH6 and 7Z4, according to the accompanying 9C1 equipment list so I imagine one references the certified 125 MPH speedometer and the other is for this tacked-on gauge trio.
Conclusion? If you like ex-police cars, here you go. As these things roll, this one appears to be gently used and is probably as durable as the day is long. Oh, you might want to check and see if that cigarette lighter has been fixed, right?
These cloth seats were standard 9C1 issue, and they were bulletproof.
The cloth rear is unusual, however. Indicative of a supervisor/detective’s car.
Great Pkg from Chevrolet.
Power windows, too. Gotta love the picture of the car full of piles of clothes, what a selling point. Too much money for a car that needs, and will always need a lot of work. I love those cars, but they were not well made. The paint was crap, so an expensive paint job will be needed if you want it to look nice. Unless you’re willing to have it as a labor of love, I’d pass. It was probably abused from day one. 5 years ago, a friend bought a former police car from a small, local police dept., a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria with low mileage. It’s been a nightmare to keep going.
I’ve had several interceptors and I can say that is quite different from my experience. P71’s will go on for a long time (100’s of thousands of miles) with regular maintenance and TLC by someone who isn’t an idiot.
Same model as the beltway snipers.
What the hell does that have to do with anything? You keep track of stuff like that?
At one time right after that nightmare. I lived in that area and dark blue cop Caprices were a hot item. Quite a few individuals wanted them. Cut out behind license plate holder optional. I junked one and still have the original window sticker that was in the glove box. It was a dark blue cop example.
The “doggy bowl hubcaps” are in the trunk…
All three of them.
There are 4..! Lol one is hiding…
I believe the technical term for that steel demi-orb which endeavors to protect the wheels’ lug nuts from deterioration is dog “dish.”
UH6 and 7Z4 is the the gauge cluster oil/volts/temp…
7Z9 is the police type cluster certified speedometer…
This car has all…
The lighter is in the glove box… Lol
Have we all gone mad? Had a 66 and 67 2dr Caprice true classics, also I’ve had 77, 79 and 82 Caprices all of were the more desirable 2dr models, first 3 years of this gen were better looking. This worn and certainly neglected abused piece for 7500. Buy it put 7500. Into it and it’s worth 7500. Why?
I have had and still do have a few former police vehicles. Through proper research on the particular ones I’ve bought I usually have gotten ones that were still in good mechanical condition. That being said, I’m not sure what people in that part of the United States will pay but here in the southwest the most that car would bring is $3000.00 to $3500.00
And it would be rust free, not a northeast scab.
What’s with the 440 references? Of course it doesn’t have a 440. No Chevrolet ever had a 440. By 1989, Chrysler’s 440 was a distant memory, anyhow.
The Blues Brothers, you’ve never seen it? It’s the ultimate cop car movie.
JO
… 🎤
J.O is a soul-man…. he’s a soul man… 🎶 😎 🚔 🚓 🚨
The 440 reference is from the Blues Brothers movie! The 1974 Dodge Monaco was their Bluesmobile ex-cop car :).
Yup, still a far cry from a caprice
Scrape yard crusher…cops sit and let engines idle all day long – every ex cop car has low miles but completely worn out engines & Trans. Cops drive em rough cuz its not theirs.
Word to the wise never buy an old cop car unless it was Dept brass issued & driven normally- to work parked & home only.
I’ve bought four road patrol cars and never regretted any of them.
Couldn’t be less accurate.
Looks like somebody drove through the homeless/squatters enclave during wash day!
3:42 gears behind that tree fiddy. I bet it could get after it pretty good for the day.
Don’t agree about buying a decommissioned police car. I have a 2017 PIU and it’s been a great car. Fast, handles like a sports car and has everything I need. Pursuit Mode is interesting. Does it have some holes where equipment was mounted and a floor mat instead of carpeting, yup but it was 10-12K dollars less than a civilian version with like mileage. And those don’t have the cop motor, brakes, suspension, and ECU programming.