Rarest SSPs?
 

I have seen alot of posts about which SSP's are rarest of the Aero light units - which are truly the rarest both Marked and Unmarked?

from what I gather Michigan, NYSP and Georgia? I have only seen a couple of the first two on here?

Considering their were not many Michigan cars between the two years they were purchased, 89 and 92, we have accounted for a good number of them both back in service condition/restored and yet to be.

I wouldn't say GSP cars are rare; there are plenty around. I think the most rare cars are the 4-eyed versions. That said, maybe some from smaller orders or from agencies that only used them for a year or two. There are a bunch of those listed in the usage chart compiled by C. Ricks that's posted over on .ORG

http://www.sspmustang.org/technical/vehicle_usage.htm

Keep in mind that not everything in there is correct (or up to date), but it should give you a good idea.

+1 on what Evil said.

I think the obvious answer is that the "rarest" cars are from the state agencies that used the least of them. Naturally there were many local or county agencies that only had a few but for most of us, the state agency cars are what we quantify/qualify our opinions on.

Other than the 1982 CHP herd, the four eyed cars are definatly rarer than the aero cars. The aero cars that come up for sale outnumber the 4 eyed cars 30 to 1 or more. The 4 eyed cars are not as popular now, but that will change over the next 10 years as they become impossible to find and the prices go through the roof. How many 4 eyed, auto trans, FIRE Department SSP cars are there? Only one that I know of. Therein lies another entire topic on being rare. Another "rareness" issue revolves around the early pre 87 unmarked cars. How about the 83 tan/tan unmarked NCHP car. Then there is always the handful of "evoc" cars and on and on and on.

There are many different ways to identify a car as being rare but if you consider how many mustangs were built from 1982 thru 1993 ALL of the SSP cars are rare. I had a conversation a couple of weeks ago with a dealer on .org who says he believes the four eyed SSP cars will become as popular as the 69/70 Boss cars. I hope his prediction comes true but only time will tell.

I hope you're both right ;)

I posted in the similar thread on ORG when members were naming rare agencies that Delaware only purchased 10 SSP's in 1987, and so far only one has surfaced on the forums. Here's some info on the Delaware SSP's -

http://www.specialservicemustang.net...ead.php?t=1731

Rare does not constitute desirable. There are many "rare" SSP's. But, how many of us are climbing over each other to get to a Wildlife & Fisheries SSP or even one of the less flamboyant marked units. Everyone gravitates to 2-tone 5-speeds, and that's just how it is going to be. Visibility will be what will drive values. A plain white SSP will always be worth less than a vibrant Georgia SSP, in equal condition. I agree that the 4-eyed will drive values with true collectors. It is also occurring in the Saleen market. Early Saleens were less on content, but high on heritage. 4-eyed cars have become coveted by those in the know.

My prediction for the Fox era Mustang collector market of the future is that the scarcity of four-eyed SSPs will work in their favor value wise but the weaker drivetrains (when compared to later models) they possess will work against them. So it may be a value wash between the four-eye and the aero models...but that's just my guess.

I would add the Minnesota State Patrol SSP's to the rare discussion. I'm not sure whether any of surfaced...at least they don't get metioned. Not many ordered and I understand many were wrecked in bad weather while in-service and I suspect some others rusted out. I'd be interested to get my hands on one of them.

I agree with almost all of that statement.

I know the dealers all like the two tone five speed cars but there is a specific purpose there (resale). These cars scream "cop" and some people like to feel included in the persona/profession surrounding the cars. Not "everyone" gravitates toward 2 tone 5 speed cars supported by the fact that multitudes of people own one color, auto trans cars. For me personally I think the North Carolina black/silver combo with red interior is as good a color as you can get but that is just my opinion. There are a ton of agencies that did not have a bunch of cars and you are correct, nobody is rushing to buy a fish and wildlife car, but while some may gravitate towards the flashy, totally cop, looking GSP car, the collector will recognise that lower numbers have ALWAYS meant more $$$ in the long run. This computes to the four-eyed theory holding true.

I saw pictures of a car show where there were 11 marked FHP cars. That is one of the reasons my collection has gone in the direction it has. I wanted a collection of cars that were not all common. The big four Florida, Texas, California and Georgia will all be in the group for me, but I have also tried to find some of the rarer (less numbers of) cars like Idaho, Michigan, Colorado, Washington, Oregon. I would be estatic to find a Minnesota, Wyoming. Canadian, New York, Deleware, etc for my collection. It is a whole different deal for me as I plan to own the bakers dozen. If I was only going to own one car I would pass on the big four every time and look for a less used car.
I think the biggest reason so many people buy a 2 tone 5 speed car from the big four is because the big four used so many and you can find one for sale 24/7. Right now I know of at least two cars from each state in the big four that are for sale.

Regardless.....I have my opinions and theorys, as does everyone else. When I am 80 years old and selling the "set" at Barrett Jackass's auction for 1.4 million dollars I will have a smile on my face. :rolleyes: (that is intended as a joke fellas.)

anyone got a Wyoming car they wanna sell me??

I just picked up a '93 that was a Brantley Co Sherrifs Office (Georgia) DARE car. Talked to the deputy that it was assigned to the whole time and he let me know that was the only SSP Mustang that agency ever owned. I guess that makes it a rare car....