4X4 Cop Car: 1983 Ford LTD Crown Victoria
For nearly 30 years, the Ford LTD Crown Victorias (and their variants) were popular choices for police work. They were durable, big cars that chased after a lot of bad buys in their day (the last of the rear-wheel drive full-size automobiles). This example from 1983 was once a New Hampshire police car but has since been converted into a mud bogger with a Chevy chassis and drivetrain. Located in Norwich, Connecticut, this likely one-of-a-kind 4X4 is available here on eBay where the current bid is $5,146 (no reserve).
Ford offered the Police Package as an option on the LTD Crown Vic during its long production life. The selection came with everything heavy-duty, including the frame, suspension, brakes, engine cooling (important), and a 140-mph speedometer which I believe could be pegged. Most of the time, the package was applied to the entry-level “S” model because the police didn’t need a bunch of fancy doodads like Grandpa and Grandma wanted. We assume there was nothing special about this LTD when it was built for police work in New England.
We don’t know when this “copmobile” was converted, but surely that was long after it was retired from hauling police officers around. The Ford underpinnings are gone, replaced by a 1970s Chevrolet Blazer frame that has been lifted to accommodate its 36-inch wheels/tires. The engine is also a Chevy, 350 cubic inches (crate), paired with a 700R4 automatic transmission. We’re told it runs just the way we see it but will need some tinkering. And we wonder if it would be street legal given that its police identification is still present, including the flashing lights on the roof.
This Ford likely hasn’t been used much lately as the tires are dry-rotted, and the 4X4 shift linkage isn’t hooked up. Neither are the head and taillights. It’s certainly an attention-getter, but begs the question what would you do with it if you bought it? Head out to your local swamp and have it. The buyer will receive an NH registration (previous, not current) and a bill of sale. The seller has included a video for your viewing pleasure.
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Comments
Perfect for a municipality for parades and community awareness of their local Force, but not much else…
Perfect for pursuing all of those jacked up crew cab 4×4 diesel bro dozers through the drive through window at Starbucks… (“I have a witness who claims that they saw you ordering whole cow’s milk in your coffee.”)
Wow ..!!! they call Connecticut “upstate New York “… but I didn’t think it was literally up requiring jacked up…😝
Many years ago there was hillclimb events in the Norwich area on private land. This could be a leftover of those events. The wiring is ridiculously bad.
I agree the wiring is bad and look at the zip ties holding on the fan shroud!!
Ford police cars of this era were widely used throughout the US and Canada. Not because they were “good”…. Most agencies buy whatever is cheapest through a tender process. The Fords did not perform as well as the Chevys, and broke down more often. They struggled to get to 100MPH, and a small fuel tank limited patrol capability. The 1998-2011 Panther platform cruisers were far better, and could attain 140MPH. I was a LEO in a relatively large dept from 1978-2008. I also participated in testing and evaluation of various makes/models of police-spec vehicles.
This car is basically yard-art. It will take far more effort and $ than it will ever be worth. It will also be a total heat-score, if driven on public roads. Virtually every jurisdiction prohibits civilian use of emergency lights, and the “POLICE” graphics can also be an issue.
Cam, respectfully i don’t believe the Panthers could reach 140mph, even with a tall gear. Michigan Police used to post cop car test results, i don’t recall ever seeing those numbers. The 5.0 fox maybe.
It seemed to depend on the car and conditions. All would do a solid 130++, with some “clean-roof” cars just touching 140MPH in totally ideal conditions (cool weather, tail-wind, and slightly downhill).
The best thing you can do with a Ford is make it Chevy,🤔 not really.
What’s with the white stuff on the front carpeting?
Baking soda?
The remnants of the last big bust?
Bug dust? Used to use it to kill ants and other creepy crawlers in our barn. Wasn’t really very healthy for the cats, though we always had to many of those anyway.
Looks like a bunch of powered sugar donuts exploded.
Possibly a kilo of cocaine from the Blues Brothers heading off to a rock an’ roll gig.
Some detail on how a body built for a 114.3″ wheelbase was fit on a chassis with a 106.5″ wheelbase would be nice.
I suspect there are inherent design flaws that are prompting the sale,,,
No heater, no wipers……..No way.
Strange. Looks like something that you would see “The Blues Brothers” running around in, in the hills of West Virginia or Kentucky.
Now, this would be fun: Buy it and bring it back to Meredith. See all of the crazy stares you will get from the tourists in that lakeside community.
Movie set could buy it and start a new series of The Dukes of Hazzard catch them boys Rosco
When your pursuit runs out of pavement.