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License plates
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Radio Equipment
The Micors were also specially made for CHP by Motorola, and were modified in 1982 to be used with GE portable (handheld) radios. The modification consisted of an added receiver to the actual Micor tray, which made the tray longer than the normal Micor (similar to the Micors used by the railroads), and the addition of a GE MASTR II Executive repeater. The Micor receiver and GE repeater were mounted in the trunk together. When an Officer used a handheld to transmit, the signal was funneled through the GE repeater to the Micor for transmission out (on the Micor base). The Micor also funneled incoming transmissions out, in the same way, to the handheld on-scene. The repeaters were designed so that the last unit on-scene was the only repeater active. In other words, an Officer using a handheld would be transmitting through the Micor in that Officer’s car until another unit arrived, and then both Officers would utilize the second Officer’s repeater (and the first one would shut down). In that situation, the first Officer would have to remember to “reset” the repeater (hence the “RESET” button on the Micor head unit inside the car) in order to activate the repeater for the next call or stop. The Micor radio traffic, as well as the later GE radio, was routed through the Mustang's stereo speakers (special ordered 15ohm speakers were provided by Ford in place of the stock stereo speakers).
The Motorola microphones used with the Micors were also CHP specific, utilizing a rocker instead of the normal push-to-talk button. Officers could either talk in repeated mode or simplex (non-repeated) based upon which way the switch was pressed.
The GE radios appearing in the late ‘80s are still in use today, and are obsolete, so it’s very difficult to find the correct CHP setup for a restoration. The model is S-810. The control head for this radio controls the lights, siren, shotgun lock, even the remote trunk release.
The cars all used dual antennas, with the usual setup being a long “whip” antenna on the drivers-side quarter (96 inch, used with the mobile radio), and a shorter antenna on the roof (for the repeater 16-18 inches).
Other Miscellaneous Equipment
Radar units were used sporadically throughout the Mustang run, and areas receiving federal grant money for special enforcement received them. Kustom KR-10, KR-10SP, Trooper, and MPH K-55 radar units were used. It's pretty rare to see a CHP Mustang with a radar unit, but they were used.
Shotguns were normally mounted in the passenger compartment, and secured with a locking rack on the passenger side, in front of the glovebox. The racks had timers installed, so that when a button was depressed, Officers had a few seconds (sometimes up to 8) to remove the shotgun from the rack (usually Remington model 870s). Later cars had a warning buzzer that would sound when the release button had been depressed. All cars had two switches for access to the weapon, one for the driver and one for the passenger (since CHP commonly rides two to a vehicle). Later cars additionally had a foot switch for the driver (left floorboard). Both of the switches were at the bottom of the dash (not hidden, but not out in the open, either).
One style of rack...several different styles were used (incorrect bracket for Mustang).
Another style used by CHP.
Scanners were mounted in the cars, and assisted CHP officers by letting them know what was going on with the agencies surrounding them. The first scanners used in the Mustang were the Regency M-100. These scanners were integrated into the Micor radio, and would automatically mute when the mic was keyed to transmit on the Micor. In 1983, the state of California purchased Regency MX-3000s, so 1984-1986 cars could have also used these models. CHP replaced these in 1986, with the Regency Turboscan 800. These were in service until around 1989, when CHP migrated to the Uniden MR8100 (again, coincided roughly with GE radio transistion).
Regency M100. Image courtesy of Geoff Fors.
Regency MX-3000. Image courtesy of Geoff Fors.
Regency Turbo-scan, equipment Image courtesy of Geoff Fors.
Uniden MR8100. Image courtesy of Geoff Fors.
In-service, 1982. Image courtesy of Fabulous Mustangs magazine.
Restored 1986, incorrect radio, but nice shot of the shotgun rack, Roxster light, and other equipment. Image courtesy of Performance Autosport.
Restored 1990, equipment came from CHP (car was sold to another department fully equipped). Image courtesy of Performance Autosport.
Restored 1992, equipment came from CHP (including correct, GE control head). Jim Young photo.
Here's an in-service trunk pic. Plywood box in middle, green first aid kit on left. Dimensions on the box are 24.5" long, 15" wide, and 7" high. Image courtesy of Popular Mechanics magazine
Additional Documentation
Federal Signal CC1 information
CHP published Motor Transport Manuals, detailing how the cars were to be equipped. Here is the 1992 Motor Transport Manual, also in .pdf format. There is a ton of great information here on the way the later cars were outfitted, including wiring diagrams for the equipment.
