Restoring an SSP in Different Agency than Original?

[90Coupe]

I would like to have some honest opinions / feedback from you guys, and of specific note I have thick skin so have it.

I have an 87 FHP car that is quite rough and has been beat on. None of the original interior can be reused except for the AC vents, the rest have either been painted, destroyed or missing. The body is straight, but has two cheap paint jobs over the top of the original. I will need to replace the drivers side full floor pan due to a couple of rust holes in the cowl area, plus the repair of the cowl area. Of course then all of the normal resto work throughout to freshen everything back to showable standards.

I live in a rural town in Alabama less than 20 miles from Pensacola, I do alot of shows, parades and cruises in Florida with my other Mustangs. As most know the FHP gets really upset and also has statutes that prohibit against the operation of a car on Florida roads with the FHP paint scheme, however I believe from info on this board that no one has ever been prosecuted.

From my goodie pile of parts I can build a "tribute" Alabama DPS car with FHP style radios, radar, etc. I have a good blue interior that would only require a cleaning and installation. I have several current and retired Alabama troopers as freinds for info sources and there are no restrictions in Alabama beyond the basic common sense stuff of no markings and blue lights on the road. There are many very nice FHP cars out there for sale currently, some great cars at fair prices.

So given the novel I have written above, what would you guys say to someone (me) restoring and marking a car in Alabama livery versus the original FHP that it is.

[ImEvil1]

I say do whatever makes you happy. There are a ton of FHP cars out there, so it's not like it's the rarest of rare to begin with (although there seems to be fewer of the pre-'90 FHP cars surfacing).

I took issue with the cloning of an '86 GSP awhile back...since the car used in the process was probably one of the only surviving '86 Colorado cars out there (probably 1 of 10 ordered that year). Personally, I don't care for clones, but I definitely understand someone wanting to be different, or doing it to save getting hassled, etc.

[Andy]

It's your car and you can do what ever you want to it








Ok wait for it...........wait for it..............Wait

ok





it's kind a like a gender Re Assignment thing (or no thing) :-(
like the Chaz Bono of SSP Mustangs
I would rather you find four cylinder coupe and Create a
Tribute car from that.

[28HopUp]

Personally, I do not care for clone cars, but it is your car to do with however you please. I don't object because it's a loss of a SSP. The FHP cars are more plentiful, so turning it into a clone of another agency is not the worst thing in the world.

My reason for not liking clones comes from my experience taking my SSP out in public and answering the inevitable questions that come up. In most cases, they will ask me if it is/was a real police car (or Highway Patrol car when I display it with the magnets). People WILL ask you if your SSP is/was an Alabama State Police car. If you don't mind telling people that it is a cloned car, then by all means don't let that stop you. Although you should do what makes you happy, you MAY get tired of telling folks that it was a FHP that you made into an Alabama SSP. It would bug me, but only you can determine if that would be a problem for you.

In terms of the restoration, if you are going to make it an Alabama cloned SSP, then I would suggest doing all that you can to make it as accurate as possible. You can sell your FHP equipment to help pay for new Alabama-specific parts. If you're gonna go that far then do it right IMO.

[NoDrama43]

I sold my 92 FHP car because I went to a show where there were seven other marked FHP cars. I did not like being one in a crowd of identical cars. Kinda like going to an MCA show and parking your green Bullitt in line with 45 other green bullitts. Doesn't do anything for me.

You attend shows in Florida but are concerned about the state's laws regarding your car, yet you live in Alabama and want to build an Alabama car?? Seems to me that is just moving the same problem across the state line to where you live. The fact it needs an entire new interior, paint, and lots - o - work is irrelevant because you will do that when creating a fake Alabama car anyway.

Tribute cars are commonly referred to as clone cars which are commonly referred to as clown cars. Regardless of what others may say (in an effort to be politically correct) clown cars are generally looked down upon by enthusiasts that have made the effort to restore an SSP back to correct Agency/conditions etc.

The car isn't an Alabama car. If you want an Alabama car you should find one to restore. FHP cars are a dime a dozen, so I understand why you want something different. But clowning the car is a huge mistake in my opinion.

[28HopUp]

Originally Posted by NoDrama43

Tribute cars are commonly referred to as clone cars which are commonly referred to as clown cars. Regardless of what others may say (in an effort to be politically correct) clown cars are generally looked down upon by enthusiasts that have made the effort to restore an SSP back to correct Agency/conditions etc.

The car isn't an Alabama car. If you want an Alabama car you should find one to restore. FHP cars are a dime a dozen, so I understand why you want something different. But clowning the car is a huge mistake in my opinion.

Jim, I realize that enthusiasts have a different definition for various terms in the car hobby. For the benefit of Ron/90Coupe and others, let me put out the terms for consideration/discussion.

I consider a clone to be an authentic re-creation of an existing vehicle. This can be done tastefully, IMO, but not everyone will appreciate a vehicle like this. Twenty years ago, people would not identify a classic muscle car as a clone - they would call it a fake. Since then, the concept has become more acceptable by calling them clones.

A tribute car, to me, is creating something unique that never existed. For example, I have a friend who built a 2005 GT350 tribute car. Ford/Shelby never built a GT350 on that platform, but the car honors the heritage of those original vehicles. I know another member at that forum who made himself a beautiful 2005 Mach I (again, another model that does not exist on the S197 platform). The concept of a tribute vehicle can work extrememly well on certain cars.

In terms of SSP's, a tribute car can quickly become what is called by many as a clown car. There is a thread on copcar.com (I would link it, but you have to be a member there to see it) where the police equipment in a 1962 Belvedere includes a computer keyboard and radar gun. I will attach those pictures to this post. Another example of clowning around would be to add additional lighting/LED's to a restoration on a car that never used them. That's why I suggested that the OP be as accurate as possible in the restoration if he builds it as a Alabama clone.

Putting on my Moderator hat for a moment, I would like to add that I appreciate the civil discussion on the subject matter. We may not all share the same opinion on certain subjects, but we do share a common passion for these cars and tend to treat others with respect when discussing things. I like that!

[copcamaro]

Originally Posted by 28HopUp

Personally, I do not care for clone cars, but it is your car to do with however you please. I don't object because it's a loss of a SSP. The FHP cars are more plentiful, so turning it into a clone of another agency is not the worst thing in the world.

My reason for not liking clones comes from my experience taking my SSP out in public and answering the inevitable questions that come up. In most cases, they will ask me if it is/was a real police car (or Highway Patrol car when I display it with the magnets). People WILL ask you if your SSP is/was an Alabama State Police car. If you don't mind telling people that it is a cloned car, then by all means don't let that stop you. Although you should do what makes you happy, you MAY get tired of telling folks that it was a FHP that you made into an Alabama SSP. It would bug me, but only you can determine if that would be a problem for you.

In terms of the restoration, if you are going to make it an Alabama cloned SSP, then I would suggest doing all that you can to make it as accurate as possible. You can sell your FHP equipment to help pay for new Alabama-specific parts. If you're gonna go that far then do it right IMO.

Agree totally with this one.
I never fails (for me anyway) every show someone will ask the questions
Is it a real trooper car.
Answer!! Yes

How do you get by with those hardmarked decals and all that police Eq.
Answer! I cover all decals , disconnect the electrical to Eq. and remove the lightbar.

If it were me!!!!! redo it to agency specs, but be aware of that Fl. state and their rules, cause if you don't, worse case senerio! you could lose the car.
Thats why I always tell people it is better to live in a different state than the one which the car was stationed.

No matter which way you go, it's yours and have fun restoring!!
Good luck!!