Given the amount of time the Fox-platform Mustang was in production and the different models available, there are several desirable and hot offerings out there in the marketplace, although some of them (like the Cobra) are often priced out of reach for some would-be buyers. Not that $30,000 CAD is exactly cheap, but this 1987 Ford Mustang LX SSP is undoubtedly a high performer, plus it’s also been restored. If you’re ready to get behind the wheel, this one’s in Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada, and can be found here on Craigslist. Thankfully, the price converts to just over $21,000 in U.S. Dollars, so this one might be worth a trip north of the border to check out. Great find, Curvette, and thanks for sending us the tip here!
SSP stands for Special Service Package, which was available exclusively to law enforcement agencies. This one originally served in the Mesa, Arizona, police department, first as a commander’s unmarked response unit, then for aggressive-driving enforcement until 2002, so it likely didn’t lead a pampered life during its first 15 years. The car was auctioned, then sat for 4 years before the paint was stripped, followed by a respray in the original Regatta Blue. The exterior now presents beautifully, and I’m not spotting anything outside that needs any immediate further attention.
Fast-forwarding to 2015, the original 5.0 engine is said to have been pulled and rebuilt, with the automatic transmission replaced by a 5-speed manual. The rear end was also switched to one with 2.73:1 gears, and thankfully, it remains a Traction-Loc unit. Aside from these mods, the seller reports that everything else remains stock per SSP specifications and says that the Mustang has no issues. Everything in the bay looks clean and orderly, and hopefully, this one’s ready to perform reliably for the next owner.
Little is mentioned specifically about the interior, but it appears to remain in good condition, and some other fun goodies are also included for car shows. Among these items are a functional radar gun, a mobile data terminal, and police lights, along with a couple of non-functional pieces, such as an imitation stop stick and a toy shotgun. For those seeking an unusual and high-performance Fox-era Mustang that’s not going to break the bank, I’m feeling this one may well be worth the just-over-twenty-grand USD asking price and a visit to The Great White North. What do you think?
There are lots of attractive and desirable Fox Mustang models and trims, but there is something really cool about a police-spec model like this. I guess it is the notchback body, the (mostly) black wheels, and the lack of flashy trim. I like them both as jurisdiction-specific models, and “blank” like this.
Good job Mike.
I’d have to get the exhaust tips sorted, the way they’re angled down would drive me batty. Other than that, regatta blue is such an appealing color on these Fox bodied 5.0s. Nice looking car. I’ve always wanted another SSP, or regular notch, after my unfortunate slip n slide n roll off of an expressway off ramp totaled my 87 SSP back in the mid-90s. The 5 speeds are a lot of fun to drive.
All right Mike and Curvette! I love it! I am not and never have been a lover of the Fox body Mustangs. The 67-70 are my all time favorites but the Fox body just never seemed like the true Mustang spirit. But this car really caught my eye. Since I started following BF, I have a new found appreciation of simple cars and being restored to the original condition and the specialty cars such as this.
IMO you really can’t call this car a sleeper, it just looks like it is ready for serious business and can handle it, no problem. Car guys can take one look and know it’s pedigree.
I’ve been to Port Coquitlam, and I wouldn’t mind going back. Especially with $21K in my wallet. It’d be a sweet drive home.
I can’t add to what Bob, Matt or Mike already said. But I can say this ticks all the boxes for me, from paint right down to the third pedal.
But then I’ve been a Fox-body fan since they first came out, and liked them even better when I had a chance to put miles on several of them. Apart from the ’93 Cobra, the SSP is favorite version.
POCO is indeed a beautiful spot. The Trac-Lok was std equipment on all 5.0 cars of this era.
Back in my twenties I was service manager of different new car dealerships in my area. While at a Ford dealership I had a LX 5.0 5 speed, red with a luggage rack. That car was a sleeper! I had more fun blowing the doors off Camaros and the rest of the fast cars around. I was sad to see that one sold but the Cougar 5.0 i had next was almost as fast and it did great burnouts. I really wanted the new SHO, which was also a sleeper but it was sold the day after it arrived
I recall driving this gen of Mustang, as a white GT with an automatic. Only factory auto I’ve ever driven that chirped the rear wheels shifting into second.
Loved the MUSTANG SSP’s. Those things would fly. Like all police cruisers even these Mustangs could get pretty exciting if you had to do some heavy braking while in a pursuit situation. They were fun and responsive to drive. The biggest drawback to me was the perps rode up front in the passenger seat due to the lack of a “cage” behind the front seats.
I wasn’t aware they ever had a perp on board Grizz… thought they just gave out tickets 💰
If a ride was required for a suspect another cruiser was called
Mustang people confuse me…from 64 through 73, everyone desires the fastbacks and they fetch triple the money in most cases. With these fox bodies it is the opposite. Car guys who were driving muscle cars from this era knew you had to be on your game when trying one of these at the light. The stock 5.0, not that big a problem, but these SSP versions were. We all knew that this was definitely not a sleeper. These are slowly but steadily appreciating, and this is a good buy at that price.
The SSP has, literally, the same drivetrain as any other Mustang with a 5.0 engine. How were the SSP’s any different “at the light”?
You’re right ! They were NO different that any other 5.0 at the light or anywhere else. They were quick cars and the optional 3:73 gears was the only thing that made any one of them quicker “at the light”. The difference in the Police package had to do with handling, not performance.
I prefer the fastback bodies. Not only for style, but for aerodynamics. Having driven SSP “sedans” at over 120 mph. They are not as stabil as the fastback cars. Before we delivered each new Mustang to the Nevada Highway Patrol I test drove each one on my drive home. To make sure there were no problems. And I’m glad I did. As I found one that had a terrible “engine” vibration at 3,000 rpm and above (missing the pilot bearing behind the clutch causing clutch disc to be slightly out of alignment. And I found one that was a factory freak! It was unbelievably fast! An NHP officer I knew that was going to get one I told him the VIN to get. The NHP plane clocked him at 143 mph!
The color reminds me of royal Canadian interceptors. I like the notchback style. Two of my brothers have the 5.0 versions of the GT. Both automatics. I’m a MANual shift guy and this was converted the right way. Yes, those tips need to be changed out. Maybe add a Centrifugal Blower? Marc.
I believe they only built 6 police GT versions out of the over 15,000 total. The notchback was already a rigid platform and many of the police departments ordered them with no power windows, cruise control and heavy sound deadening material. Then after they retired one, the next owner often added more goodies, so again, you were taking a gamble at the stoplight with one of these as compared to a civilian Gt.
The GT had a distinct disadvantage because it weighed 400 lbs MORE than the Notchback.
2.73’s in this car is a shame, especially with the manual swap.
Well written piece.
Yep……………….3:55’s or 3:73’s would wake that thing right up !
This used to be mine. I restored it in 2014. Found all the goodies for it too. I really enjoyed driving it and won several shows. It was so much fun to drive! Sold it on BAT to guy in BC in 2017 or 18. Funny I see it now. I spoke with the new owner yesterday. He just bought it, so it has been SOLD.
The Nevada Highway Patrol Mustangs we sold to the state all had 3.27 rear diffs. Except the few automatic equipped cars that had the 2.73 gears. Over the years I have experienced 2.73, 3.55, & 3.73 besides the 3.27. And the fuel mileage on cars with the MAF. (49 STATE ’88 and up and California emissions on earlier cars) Don’t seem to be effected terribly by what gear is used and highway fuel ecenomy. Maybe 2-2.5 loss on the deep gears. (3.73) So changing this car to 2.73 gears makes no sense to me. It can’t be for a higher top speed as it doesn’t have enough horsepower to get over 135-145 with those gears. Also, one thing we did find differently on the SSP cars. Is that the computers don’t limit top speed. I don’t recall what the “GTs” had for top limit. But there was one in the system.
The FHP SSP cars I had experience on working for Ford Dealer service were all notch or trunk vehicles. If they didn’t have excessive amounts of equipment in them or a light bar on the roof the aerodynamics and horsepower allowed them to reach 150 mph with the 273 gears. Some of the “little FHP officers” had a contest going on top speeds and they would radar each other very late at night during calm boring times and one reached 155 mph. Now that fellow was very short and probably 130 lbs and grining from ear to ear!
The water pump, all coolant hoses, alternator, radiator, suspension and a few other things were upgrades. Originally they had steel reinforced wheels but later they used aluminum 10 hole wheels painted black and those cars were faster. Oh and we bumped the timing up a few degrees for these guys and removed the air intake silencer.