1985 Florida Highway Patrol #1422

[ImEvil1]

Some of you may have seen the posts about the upcoming get-together at Jim's place (Ohio) in July. In addition to spending some good times with good people, the purpose of the trip is so that I can start work on the '85 FHP car pictured below. I found the car a few years ago in Ohio and told Jim about it. He ended up buying it, holding onto it for me, then selling it to me a short time later. It's been in his barn ever since, waiting on me to pick it up.

It's an original 100K mile car, but who knows what we'll find when we tear into it. I've already got a ton of NOS and replacement parts for it, including a complete top end from a 3K mile '85 that was being torn apart to be raced. I've also got every single correct piece of e-equipment for it, including a new-in-the-box Jetsonic lightbar and JSS controller to match.

This will be my first resto, and the only thing I won't be doing myself is the paint. Jim's neighbor, who restores Corvettes out of his shop, is going to paint it for me.

[ImEvil1]

Another one.

[ImEvil1]

Interior shot.

[28HopUp]

Wow Mike! That '85 is A LOT nicer than I expected. That's going to be a fun project.

[FHP813]

Get the Zip-locks and Sharpies ready!!!

[ImEvil1]

Wow Mike! That '85 is A LOT nicer than I expected. That's going to be a fun project.

Thanks....it needs alot of TLC, but I can't wait. I haven't had time to do much to any of my cars in awhile, so I'm really looking forward to this.

[ImEvil1]

Get the Zip-locks and Sharpies ready!!!

Those and the camera. :yes:

[calimustang]

very nice! nice catch, definitely in a lot better shape than mine. :2thumbs:

[mac88chp]

Very nice looking project material. Another completed 4-eye SSP is a good thing! Be sure to share some photos of your progress.

[ChrisL]

The car looks great even like it is, she will be a beauty restored! Can't wait to start seeing the progress!

[ImEvil1]

Thanks guys....I will take plenty of pics to share.

[28HopUp]

So will this one be ready in time for various shows in 2012?

[ImEvil1]

So will this one be ready in time for various shows in 2012?

We shall see.....

[Wolfe1013]

Hey, Mike, if you pass through Memphis on the way, give me a call and we can hook up.

Nice looking project ya got there. Can't wait to watch the progress.

Greg

[NoDrama43]

going to be a good time. My paint guy is expecting the car on that Saturday and I have a huge pile of boxes ready for stuff. I have to paint the wall where the shelf is going then build the shelf to keep all parts for this car in one spot. Planning on having that done prior to the arrival of the dissasembly team.

This car is an excellent restoration candidate for sure.

[NoDrama43]

here is where we will be working on the 85...... about where the white Colorado car is sitting...... not much room to work.....

[NoDrama43]

so I have been working on this end......to get all the cars moved and out of our way... :)

[NoDrama43]

one more view....

[jpargo]

Mike good luck with the renno...Jim the garage looks great! Funny that Jim didn't mention his neighbor works on Vettes...he's tight lipped about having friends with a Bowtie! :D

[NoDrama43]

more progress to get ready for SSP Week in Ohio. I still have to put up the ceiling, blow in insulation, and hang the gas furnace and lights. That should be done this fall. I have a bunch more stuff to hang on the walls too. I am hoping to finally have this done in time to close it up and turn on the heat when it starts getting cold out later this fall. Garage door installer is coming in two weeks to close off this room from the rest of the barn.

[EXNODRAMANOTCH]

Great space Jim! Can't wait to see it completed.:thumbsup:

[NoDrama43]

thanks. I built it in 2006....hopefully it won't take me another 5 years to get it done. I retire in 4 years and that is my target date to have everything finished and ready for full time restoration projects. This weeks project is going to be a trial run on a few things.....

[ChrisL]

The barn is looking fantastic Jim! Can't wait to see pictures from the SSP weekend!

[ImEvil1]

Jim posted up a bunch of pics in his Fotki.

My camera didn't survive the trip up for some reason. The pics I do have were courtesy of Bernie's camera.

Here was the first surprise:

The car hit something (low) that tweaked the core support. Think concrete bollard, like they use in parking lots.

[ImEvil1]

Thought I had a pic or two of the quarter damage, but it looks like I don't.

The only other bad spot on the whole car is the passenger fender apron. I need to buy a couple of these, since the '83 DPS car is in worse shape than this one.

[ImEvil1]

The underside of the car looks just as nice as my '93. The column and dash have never been out of the car.

The car came apart way easier than anything else I've ever worked on. I can't wait for the paint guy to get started.

Jim is getting the rotisserie lined up. As soon as the paint guy gets the core support drilled and replaced, it's going on the rotisserie and then getting soda-blasted.

Here's another pic. It's Bernie and I taking out the dash.

[ImEvil1]

One of Jim under the car...

[FHP813]

The underside of the car looks just as nice as my '93. The column and dash have never been out of the car.

The car came apart way easier than anything else I've ever worked on. I can't wait for the paint guy to get started.

Jim is getting the rotisserie lined up. As soon as the paint guy gets the core support drilled and replaced, it's going on the rotisserie and soda-blasted.

Here's another pic. It's Bernie and I taking out the dash.

Why do I look so mad? lol.

[ImEvil1]

Why do I look so mad? lol.

That's a "hurry up and take it, Jim....it's friggin' hot" look. ;)

[ImEvil1]

Car is back from blasting. The decklid is toast due to some rust issues, and the only other bad spots are the inner apron and front core support near the headlight (passenger side). Both quarters have damage, and the passenger side will be replaced. Luckily, I'll be picking up an NOS apron from Matt @ Fox Mustang Resto tomorrow at the Columbus Super Swap. I'd been looking for a good one for a couple of months, and he just happened to list one on eBay a few days ago.

I'll post more pics when I get home.

[NoDrama43]

Columbus Super Swap.


biggest, baddest, Ford swap meet in the galaxy... going to be a fun day....

[28HopUp]

Looking good Mike!

[ImEvil1]

Rotisserie, pre-blasting.

[ImEvil1]

Drivers side.

[ImEvil1]

Drivers door...several old repairs that need to be addressed in the door and lower quarter.

[ImEvil1]

Repair where the roof antenna was.

[ImEvil1]

Hole for the lightbar.

[ImEvil1]

Engine bay.

[ImEvil1]

Another.

[ImEvil1]

Trunk.

[FHP813]

Looks like the engine and trunk compartments were media blasted and the body was soda blasted. looks nice.

[ImEvil1]

I didn't take any pics of the underside, but it was media on the bottom, too. It looks awesome under there. I know that the car had a rough life, but I can't believe how clean and rust-free the floors and underside are.

[FHP813]

Where was it stationed?

[ImEvil1]

Same as 1187, Troop B (Ocala instead of Lake City/Gainesville, though). However, it spent several years in Ohio, so I was a little concerned.

http://www.specialservicemustang.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2058&highlight=troop

[jarhed123]

Looking nice Mike

[mac88chp]

Good progress Mike, thanks for sharing. Media blasting can sure be the way to go on some of these old cars to ensure you end up with a solid foundation to build the final finish on.

[NoDrama43]

However, it spent several years in Ohio, so I was a little concerned.


The last 6 years in Ohio have been gentle on the car....... tucked away, clean, dry, and safe...... :)

[ImEvil1]

Quick update...

Car is in primer, still in Ohio. I will be picking it up in the next few weeks; as soon as I find a paint/body guy here.

I just got off of the phone with one of the Troopers who drove it in-service (a still-active, 33yr veteran) . He thinks that he has a picture of it somewhere, and he is also putting me in touch with the Trooper it was originally assigned to (who retired about 8 years ago).

[NoDrama43]

excellent ! That would be great to have an in service picture of it. Hope that works out.

[usajay38]

nice stable of cars, it should be a great addition when completed.

[smokin5.0]

How many square feet is the Barn/shop and what did it cost you to build? ....if you don't mind me asking. I have a similar size collection and can't stand some of my cars being outside and want to put them all together in a nice spot.

[NoDrama43]

reference the barn I guess you are talking about mine?

I started it in 2006 and to date i have probably 60k invested. It is 106'x60' total 6360 sf. Pictures of it are on my fotki album, and it is still a work in progress.

[smokin5.0]

Nice! I am wiping the drool from my face still. I have a collection like yours and it is growing and I really want something like that. My co-workers say I am a Jay Leno wanna be, however I don't have a facility like his. I need to get a large space and put some hoists in.

[NoDrama43]

I drew mine out to scale prior to building it. I wanted to have all 12 SSP cars in a finished room, and have enough room for boat, truck, camper, enclosed trailer, tractor, and a restoration shop in other end. In between I have parts rooms plus I use the loft/attic area for parts. I could have used another 1500 square feet for parts but I am making do with what I have.

[NoDrama43]

Quick update...

Car is in primer, still in Ohio. I will be picking it up in the next few weeks; as soon as I find a paint/body guy here.

I just got off of the phone with one of the Troopers who drove it in-service (a still-active, 33yr veteran) . He thinks that he has a picture of it somewhere, and he is also putting me in touch with the Trooper it was originally assigned to (who retired about 8 years ago).

whatever became of the possible in service pics of the car ??? Were you able to get any?

[ImEvil1]

whatever became of the possible in service pics of the car ??? Were you able to get any?

Just waiting on the Trooper to get back with me.

[ImEvil1]

Back from the dead.....picked up the '85 this weekend in OH and visited with Jim for a bit. It's back here in TX with me, via a stop in Birmingham at Todd G.'s place where I was able to pick up a like-new front bumper and a few other parts from him. Local resto shop is going to do the paint/body work for me here.

All in all....good 2400+ mile trip in 36 hrs and good to see some old friends.

[kapracing]

Awesome Mike!
Now the threads back from the dead keep us posted on progress :popcorn1:

[nighthawk756]

Wish I'd known you were coming through Birmingham, my area? Would've been good to meet you and check out the 85!

Maybe next time! ;)

[ImEvil1]

Will do, Bobby.

Definitely catch you next time, Brad. It took me about 20 hours each way and I drove straight through.

[FHP0827]

Mike, what all do you still need equipment-wise?

[28HopUp]

That had to be a nice road trip, Mike! I bet Jim is sad to see it go... :cool:

[NoDrama43]

That had to be a nice road trip, Mike! I bet Jim is sad to see it go... :cool:

good to see Mike.

good to see the car on the trailer. ;)

[ImEvil1]

Mike, what all do you still need equipment-wise?

Pretty sure I have most everything equipment-wise.

That had to be a nice road trip, Mike! I bet Jim is sad to see it go... :cool:

Mostly uneventful (just loooooong). Jim wasn't too sad (except for the mess we made in his barn).

good to see Mike.

good to see the car on the trailer. ;) Yep.

[NoDrama43]

Looking for an update here.....

Will this car be at any shows in 2016?

[kapracing]

:popcorn1:

[ImEvil1]

Hard to believe it's been 7 years...but life sometimes gets in the way.

1422 is back underway. Metal work first, including replacement core support, rear quarter and new sheetmetal in the inner fender area and front frame rail.

[ImEvil1]

.

[ImEvil1]

..

[Wolfe1013]

Keep up the progress and the photos. Can’t wait to see that car completed. 👍🏻

[xxtrpr]

Mike great to see this progress on here ! I have new vent shades if in need.

[ImEvil1]

Mike great to see this progress on here ! I have new vent shades if in need.

Thanks....I have a set, but I'm not putting them on this one.

[28HopUp]

Thanks for the update!

[ImEvil1]

Back from the dead!

Painter is back at work....he decided it would be best to just replace the passenger rocker. He found one for me in GA. Several weeks later, here it is going in.

Next up is the passenger quarter.

[ImEvil1]

Passenger side.

[ImEvil1]

One more.

[Wolfe1013]

Progress!!

[chp1982]

Glad to see this one getting some love!

[28HopUp]

Awesome!

[nighthawk756]

Looking good!

[ImEvil1]

Rot at the door hinge replaced. Replacement quarter going on. Damage at the door was just discovered, but was caused by the same crash/substandard repair.

[ImEvil1]

Quarter off.

[ImEvil1]

Quarter mocked up.

[28HopUp]

'Glad you're getting that side damage fixed right.

[ImEvil1]

Decided to just replace the entire door post after finding more issues. He is doing it up right!

[28HopUp]

Did the Trooper put it into a guard rail or something? I'm glad you're able to get this FHP back into shape.

[ImEvil1]

Unreported crash after service.

[chp1982]

Lucky car. Looks like you’re addressing it all. I’d love to see some updates on the whole fleet at some point.

[ImEvil1]

Door post replaced. New rocker, post, and mock up.

[ImEvil1]

One more.

[28HopUp]

Thanks for the in-progress pics!

[ImEvil1]

Few more progress pics. Metal work is all done. Welded up front core support, welded in NOS apron piece that was rotted.

[ImEvil1]

Apron

[ImEvil1]

Engine bay in primer.

[ImEvil1]

Another.

[ImEvil1]

Stripped doors, fenders, hood, etc. All now in primer.

[ImEvil1]

Another

[ImEvil1]

Primer

[ImEvil1]

Primer 2.

[ImEvil1]

Drivers Q.

[ImEvil1]

Passenger Q.

[ImEvil1]

Last one

[28HopUp]

It's great to see this one coming along...