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04-04-2010 09:54 PM |
Well after putting this car up for sale I have been finding out more about the history of these FHP cars. I have been fortunate enough to have made an impression on a retired FHP Trooper who is now giving me additional information on these cars. He is also going to forward me some photos of his SSP's he had. Here is the last email I received from him:
Quote:
Hi Matt,
It's really nice to see someone taken interest in these one of a life time Trooper Hot Rods. It was known throughout all of the states, if you didn't have a 5.0, your department wasn't SHIT ! FHP, CHP, and DPS was the talk of State Troopers back then because of the Mustangs. Ask any young recruit why they joined FHP back in the 80's and 90‘s, and they will tell you because of the Mustangs, that's why I joined FHP, I know that sounds silly, but it's true. As a young Trooper, Our Mustangs were our image, and yes, they would do 140 MPH and some no problem! The Troopers that couldn't drive a stick was given a slow Chevy Caprice or a Ford Vic, the old man car that we called banana boats, they would be the ones that stood outside in the hot evening air during DUI check points while we set in the A/C waiting to chase something down, they would eat motorcycles up.... Little History: Most Mustangs in 1988 came equipped with two radar device's, a MPH Doppler radar like yours which had to be calibrated with toning forks. You had to tone your MPH three time per shift, beging, during and ending and log it in a log book that stayed in the car and checked by your sergeant. Every lawyer in town knew this so they would always ask for your calibration log book in every speeding case. The other speed measuring device was the Vascar unit. I never lost a Vascar case in court. It was a electronic stop watch that calculated time and distance and was mounted on the dash beside the MPH antina, with this device you can get them coming, going and sideways, the only down fall was you had to be stationary to use it, but the great part was the complexes formula that explains the usage of this device, well it was to much for the judge to understand so he/she would side with the State. I once had a lawyer ask me in court how the Vascar worked and I replyed with my right index finger. That didn't go over to well.. Also remember back in the 80’s radar detectors were a big thing, and this device didn’t activate radar detectors, so a lot of people were very upset when they received a 200 dollar citation and there new 150 dollar detector didn‘t go off, I would set on top of an on ramp and work Vascar and then swoop down behind them before they new what happened. I even had a guy rip his detector out of his car once and threw it across into the median.. If you can get a Vascar for your FHP unit, that would be a plus. Ask any young Trooper today what a Vascar is, and they will look at you like your crazy..
I retired from FHP last year after 21 years, 7 of them behind the wheel of a Mustang. They were great cars and I hope you will be able to keep yours. Just think of the hundreds of traffic stops, arrest, and life saving incidents your car has in it. I’m just happy to see someone like you that took a piece of history and kept it alive for so many years. Troopers loved there Mustangs, so much they would take them to the Ford dealer to have new tires and repairs and tune ups right before they were retired to the auction. Then the Trooper would follow the vin in the auction and bid on the car. They were basically buying a new car that they had been driving for two years. Then the patrol got wind of it and stopped announcing where your car was being auctioned off at. That sucked because I was planning the same thing with my 93 model. Little History: The color of the FHP units are black and yellow. I’ve heard people say black and cream but it's not, as ugly as it sounds, they are black and yellow.. FHP is the only state department that will not allow Hollywood to use our cars in movies or where our uniforms. You have to be an active FHP Trooper to drive the car or wear the FHP uniform. So be proud of that car, it came from a very proud department…
Well, Matt I have rambled on to long, if there is any questions about the FHP Mustang that you would like answered please ask. I will send you photos of my Mustangs soon if you would like, who knows, you may just own the one I used to work out of.
Remember, if the blue lights have to come on, someone “will” to pay the power bill……
Keep in touch and be safe, Joe
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