N00B in Delaware, looking to buy

[28HopUp]

Hello guys (and gals)!

Although I am new here, and am very active on different Mustang forums, including Mustang Forums where I am an Administrator.

The gym teacher where my wife works saw my '66 Mustang, and commented that he had an old CHP car that he wanted to get rid of. It is a 1985 SSP notchback with a carbed 5.0L/5spd, and was a former CHP car (no idea on the unit number). Mechanically, it now has an 8.8" rear/t-lok (not sure of the gears) with rear disc brakes, tremec 5 speed (which is the good one), aftermarket suspension, recent clutch, welded sub-frame connectors, and aftermarket exhaust. The interior is just OK, with '91 seats but the headliner is falling and the dash pad is badly cracked.

The car is now a "Toyota" dark gray, but the paint is faded and peeling in spots. The right front fender has some cracked bondo (propably CHP bodywork). The original 15x7" police steel wheels were replaced with 10-hole aluminum wheels with good rubber. There isn't much in the way of documentation with the car. I didn't write down any of the data tag info, but the DSO was 6 digits, the car was originally black from Ford, there was a buck tag in the middle of the radiator bracket, and it had the trunk release to the right of the steering wheel. So I'm fairly confident it's a true SSP.



Here is a pic of the car:

http://users.erols.com/hopup/ssp3.jpg


Like I said, it would need to be repainted and cosmetic work to look really good. The guy is asking $4K, which is about $1K more than I think it is worth. I will use the fact that the paint is bad and the original wheels are gone to negotiate a better price, but I'm fairly certain that I will be getting this. If I do buy it, does anybody have an extra set of 85/86 wheelss they'd like to sell me? :-)

[jarhed123]

While I don't have the wheels you need, I agree 3k is in the ball park for the car with the work that is needed. Good luck with the buy as not many 4 eye cars are around.

[ImEvil1]

Welcome to the site. Good luck with your purchase, too.

[28HopUp]

Welcome to the site. Good luck with your purchase, too.

Thanks for the warm welcome (jarhed too). I've had a crash course this past week in learning about the SSP's. Although I have zero interest in returning the car to active-duty status, I would bring the car back to its post-auction appearance. After redoing the interior, my next order of business would be finding a set of the original wheels. I could always paint the 10-holes like on latter-year SSP's, but I'd prefer to find an original set. Then I'd fix the bodywork. It should be a fun car, which I could use as an occasional daily driver.

I'll post up once I bring it home.

[ImEvil1]

Thanks for the warm welcome (jarhed too). I've had a crash course this past week in learning about the SSP's. Although I have zero interest in returning the car to active-duty status, I would bring the car back to its post-auction appearance. After redoing the interior, my next order of business would be finding a set of the original wheels. I could always paint the 10-holes like on latter-year SSP's, but I'd prefer to find an original set. Then I'd fix the bodywork. It should be a fun car, which I could use as an occasional daily driver.

I'll post up once I bring it home.

Sounds like a good plan...the center caps are probably going to be harder to find than the wheels, though.

Always good to see another one surface.:thumbsup:

[predator20]

Welcome

This guy has a set of wheels he listed a while back. Not sure if planned on keeping them now. http://www.specialservicemustang.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1020

As Mike (ImEvil1) said the center caps are the hardest to find. Usually run up to around $200 just for the caps. You can get a set of escort caps cheap and modify them. http://www.specialservicemustang.net/forums/showthread.php?t=398

[28HopUp]

Welcome

This guy has a set of wheels he listed a while back. Not sure if planned on keeping them now. http://www.specialservicemustang.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1020

As Mike (ImEvil1) said the center caps are the hardest to find. Usually run up to around $200 just for the caps. You can get a set of escort caps cheap and modify them. http://www.specialservicemustang.net/forums/showthread.php?t=398

Thanks for the tips on the wheels. I saw that ad and already printed it out (to show the seller as a legitimate bartering prop). Ah, the excitement surrounding the possible purchase of another Stang has my head spinning. I just don't know where I'll park the darned thing. The 2-car garage already has two Stangs in it, and there's 2 trucks parked in the driveway. Maybe I can squeeze 3 vehicles onto the driveway pad. :-P At least my wife is supportive!

I plan to hopefully finalize things with the seller in the next day or so. Then I'll need to insurance it and get the car licensed (hope it passes DMV inspection!).

[28HopUp]

Here's another view -

http://users.erols.com/hopup/ssp4.jpg

[ImEvil1]

Looks pretty good.....funny how far east it has made it.

[28HopUp]

Looks pretty good.....funny how far east it has made it.

In 1999, the current owner bought it from his brother, who still lives in southern California. The car still has a Cal Poly sticker in the rear window. The new owner needed another car for his son to drive, but it didn't take long for him to get a ticket in it. His kids have moved out of the house, and the car has sat in his garage. Although it is uninsured and the tags expired in 2006, he does drive it around the block every so often. He's selling it now to help fund his 1956 Chevy sedan project.

[mac88chp]

Looks like a fun project and will make a good driver too. Welcome aboard!

[SparkSVT]

Newark Delaware huh?

I am in PA just over the PA-De border. I am in the Newark area all the time as my daughter lives in that area and I pick her up every week. Looks like a nice enough Mustang...

[28HopUp]

Newark Delaware huh?

I am in PA just over the PA-De border. I am in the Newark area all the time as my daughter lives in that area and I pick her up every week. Looks like a nice enough Mustang...


Chris, I've poured over different threads, and your CHP looks great. Since you are so close, I'll have to catch up with you and get a better look at your car.

I'm still trying to pin down the seller and see if we can come to terms on the car. I'll keep you guys posted...

[28HopUp]

Well, I went and took another look at it tonight in the hope that the seller and I could come to an agreement on price. Sorry to report that he is firm in his asking price and we are still $500 apart. I printed off the thread about CHP 8302 listed for sale (http://www.specialservicemustang.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1224) to use as a reference (which was more original and sold for $4K), and cited that the wheels would cost $600 to replace. He said he'd think about it.

For those interested, the CHP unit number was not visible in the door jam through the paint. From inside the trunk the patch was visible for the whip antenna, there was a hole for the antenna clip, and it has a steel 15x7 for its spare. The DSO was 72-0406, paint code 1C, and the last 6 of the VIN was 234937.

Who knows? He may change his mind and accept my offer (I told him I had the $3500 in-hand, which I did). Guess I'd better put the money back in our son's college fund!

I'd really like to find an SSP with a 5 speed. I know TurboSteve listed an 89 with an AOD for a friend for $4500. It's in alot nicer shape, so maybe I could dive deeper into Jack's college fund, but that car looks like it would be worth the extra cash (but again I'd prefer a stick shift). Anywho, I'll keep checking in to see if one pops up for sale.

[ImEvil1]

I hope he changes his mind...you never know.

I took care of the edit for you.

[jarhed123]

PM Sent

[28HopUp]

Thanks for the wise counsel guys!

I have a question. Since the unit number was not visible through the paint in the door jam, is there a way to determine the car's CHP unit number? I didn't know if any records were available that could be cross-checked against the VIN, or any other method. But looking at the SSP registry, the DSO and VIN sequence do match up with the other 3 CHP cars listed in 1985. I guess in some instances it may be impossible to document the service history of an SSP.

[mac88chp]

Thanks for the wise counsel guys!

I have a question. Since the unit number was not visible through the paint in the door jam, is there a way to determine the car's CHP unit number? I didn't know if any records were available that could be cross-checked against the VIN, or any other method. But looking at the SSP registry, the DSO and VIN sequence do match up with the other 3 CHP cars listed in 1985. I guess in some instances it may be impossible to document the service history of an SSP.In the past you could check your VIN with the CHP Motor Transport division in Sacto in hopes of obtaining the unit's "Assignment Card" but we've been told that all the Mustang era records have now been purged. Having a VIN in the range of known CHP units helps confirmation as they appear to be assigned in blocks from the factory. CHP unit numbers have been spotted on front license plate brackets written in grease pencil so investigate that area and also try to work the door area where numbers were painted on in an effort to coax that marking out. Success has been had using paint solvent/thinner (be careful!) and also just using duct tape to try to peel the repaint off.

[28HopUp]

In the past you could check your VIN with the CHP Motor Transport division in Sacto in hopes of obtaining the unit's "Assignment Card" but we've been told that all the Mustang era records have now been purged. Having a VIN in the range of known CHP units helps confirmation as they appear to be assigned in blocks from the factory. CHP unit numbers have been spotted on front license plate brackets written in grease pencil so investigate that area and also try to work the door area where numbers were painted on in an effort to coax that marking out. Success has been had using paint solvent/thinner (be careful!) and also just using duct tape to try to peel the repaint off.

Thanks for the info! That may come in handy, cuz I caught up with the seller this afternoon at school, and he & I came to an agreement on the car. I will pick it up tonight before the Phillies game!

[jarhed123]

:2thumbs:

[MOstang]

Congratulations!

[28HopUp]

Picked up the SSP last night before the Phillies game (YEA on both counts!~)

Still learning my way around the car today. I've been in a few Fox Stangs before, but I think this is the first one I've ever driven (at least that I remember). Handling was a concern for me driving home last night (all of 5 miles) because it was quite "whallowy", but once in the garage I could see that all 4 tires were grossly underinflated. That was an easy fix, and the car rides much sharper today. Still getting a feel for the clutch engagement. It's also hard to tell from driving it what gears are in the back (previous owner swapped in an 8.8"). The speedo is broken, but it does chatter behind the dash. It's just tough to guage mph right now, and with the tags having expired in 2006 I don't want to attract any attention til I get it licensed/titled (hopefully later today).

Here are a couple of more pics (engine and interior):

http://users.erols.com/hopup/ssp5.jpg

http://users.erols.com/hopup/ssp6.jpg


The seats are out of a 91 Mustang I was told. The headliner rests on my head while driving, and various plastic parts have that sticky nasty tackiness that comes with age. On the positive, the car is an SSP!!!

In terms of SSP goodies, I have not found the 2nd buck tag, and I'll need to remove the one that's there so I can fully read it. Both A-pillars have holes for dual spots. There is a patch visible from inside the trunk for the whip antenna, and there is a hole in the door jam for the forward clip that would hold the antenna. The original 15x7" steel wheel still resides in the trunk, but the tire is an off brand. The trunk release to the right of the steering wheel works. There is no front license plate bracket (Delaware doesn't use front plates), so there isn't a way to look for the CHP unit number on the bracket.

Interesting notes about the car:
o There is a center console
o The outside trim of the car is painted black
o Upon quick examination, the front bumper wasn't cut/patched for a speaker


That's all for now. I just emailed pics to my insurance agent to get that covered, and will hopefully get it tagged today. Wish me luck!

[predator20]

Those seats are out of a '87-'89, those are the smoke gray tweed style they had. '90 and up went with the titanium. The full console shouldn't be there. The outside trim, are you talking about the chrome trim around the glass?

[28HopUp]

Those seats are out of a '87-'89, those are the smoke gray tweed style they had. '90 and up went with the titanium. The full console shouldn't be there. The outside trim, are you talking about the chrome trim around the glass?


Yes, you can see the blacked-out trim following the pic link in my signature. I figure the console went it the same time the seats were installed (thanks for pinnning down the vintage. The seller was told the wheels were off a Saleen Mustang, but I knew better.

[28HopUp]

I had to play with the contrast to get the characters to display, but here is a pic of the door tag with the last 6 of the VIN omitted -

http://users.erols.com/hopup/sspdrtag.jpg

[sorry for the lousy pic quality]

[28HopUp]

Can anybody decipher my interior trim code of "FAC"? I guess it's the C that's puzzling.

[ImEvil1]

Can anybody decipher my interior trim code of "FAC"? I guess it's the C that's puzzling.

Looks good....wish they hadn't put holes in those door panels, though.

The '85 that Marcos now owns has the same DSO and interior codes as yours.

Congrats on the purchase.

[mac88chp]

Can anybody decipher my interior trim code of "FAC"? I guess it's the C that's puzzling.I can look those codes up for you when I get home from work tonight. I may also have a good deal for you on a brand new headliner.

[28HopUp]

Looks good....wish they hadn't put holes in those door panels, though.
The '85 that Marcos now owns has the same DSO and interior codes as yours.

Congrats on the purchase.


Those are tiny speakers for the radio that doesn't work.

I noticed that the interior dome light works when the door is open. Perhaps a previous owner hooked up the doorjam switches again?

mac88chp, let me know about the headliner. I definitely want to replace the headliner. I'd also like to replace the original CHP antenna(s) too. Anybody know where I can find those? I'm not looking for radio gear, but the two antennae would look perfect on the car.

[predator20]

Can anybody decipher my interior trim code of "FAC"? I guess it's the C that's puzzling.

The "C" shouldn't be there. The "F" stands for the seats, low back buckets. "A" for the color, charcoal. Must be a SSP thing with the "C".

[28HopUp]

I found this pic online of a 85 CHP buck tag -




EDIT: Sorry for the large pic - it wasn't that big where I found it


Sadly, the only thing left in that position on my car is an open screw hole. Guess my 2nd tag is MIA :-(

[jarhed123]

Our door tags are the same minus the VIN. Our interior is Charcoal Gray but the headliner and rug is light gray. The visors are charcoal. Don't know why CHP or Ford used to types of Gray in the interior.

[28HopUp]

Thanks again guys!

I gotta say, I am really starting to get a kick outa driving this thing. It really doesn't look like much now, but it gives a great vibe while rowing the gears and hearing the exhaust note. It is temperental (carbed motor in 40* weather), rough (could be the front struts), and uncivilized - and I love it!

Say, I forgot to ask the seller, but here's a REALLY simple question - What grade of gasoline does this 5.0L burn? I topped off last night with 93 octane, just to be safe.

[jarhed123]

On all police cars I have driven, SSP included, I have always used 87 without a problem. I believe their computers have always been programed for 87 octane on police vehicles.

[28HopUp]

Well, I took the car through DMV today, and it passed inspection YEA!!! So now another SSP is legally back on the road.

I also applied for my vanity tag. Hope y'all like it -

NPRSUIT

Damn this car is fun!