UPDATE!
I have been researching the history of CHP unit #1963car. The CHP began testing/evaluation of this Mustang in January 1982 at the CHP Academy. Testing continued into February up to the time of the CHP bid/contract letting for the ordering of cars for the CHP
I have found and spoken with Emil Loeffler who was the director of the Mustang Police car program for Ford in 1981/82. He has been very helpful with information and history of the car and the Mustang Police car program. I have also located and spoken with Jay Emery. Jay was the program leader for the new CHP Mustang evaluation project and also director of CHP Motor Transport at the time. Jay confirms that the original 82 proto-type Mustang, unit #1963, was converted by the CHP after the end of the testing and evaluation program into the first EVOC Mustang for use at the CHP academy.
Jay tells me that the famous "Mustang Chases Porsche's for a living" was originally billed as "This Mustang Catches Porsche's for a living". The ad copy in the ad was changed to the ad we all have seen when Porsche AG said "prove it" that a Mustang can catch a Porsche! He further states that the 82 CHP Mustang featured in that specific ad was the first production CHP patrol Mustang they received from the June 1982 Ford production run of cars. This car received the first license plate/unit number for the 406 production patrol Mustangs. So if any of you out there have this unit number car, you have the first in service Mustang of the June 1982 production run of CHP Mustangs and the actual car featured in the ad.
According to the Jay, the rear bracket shown on unit #1963 in one of the early pictures was used to mount a "gun" that would shoot a mark on the pavement the instant the brakes were applied. They would then measure the braking distance from that point to where the car stopped to provide brake test information. Jay further also said that #1963 was passed around for everyone to drive and evaluate like hooker at the Mustang Ranch. He said the car was rode hard! He further states that all sorts of politicians, celebrities and like were driven in this car. The car was hauled, driven and shown all over the state of California in the Spring of 1982.
I have spoken with David Storer, Michigan State Highway Patrol retired, who was the founder, devloper and head of the Michigan State Highway Patol Car test program from 1976 to his retirement. He confirms the MSHP did test an 82 Mustang specifically for the CHP. Jay also confirms this test for the CHP by the MSHP did occur. Jay said he remembers that since Ford technically owned #1963, he remembers that is the car that was sent to Michigan for the MSHP test and then returned to the CHP in California. He said that Ford did a lot of testing with the car on the CHP's behalf and would do most anything that was requested. The fact that this car was also the actual car tested by the MSHP is not confirmed but is what Jay Emery stated he remembers. David Storer remembers testing the Mustang and is trying to find a copy of the 1982 test for me. He says that he doubts there is any specific reference to the VIN of the car that was tested since that was not one of the data points but says the report may be different since it was specifically performed for the CHP and Ford.
It is VERY intersting talking to these people about this car in specific and the history of the car and the Mustang Police car program in general. I have learned about how different upgrades to the Mustang were tested on early Mustangs and ultimately made it into the SSP package.
I look forward to seeing you all in Birmingham. I will be showing both the the 82 and 92 EVOC cars.
Have a great day!
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