Lights, Camera, Action!

[1989 Tx DPS SSP]

Also, In most States it is illegal to eqip a car with a Siren including Texas.

[5pt0Joe]

Most of my excitement is from the expectations of people following the restoration of it. I could care less about the attention. It is mostly for the people I know seeing it for the first time at shows. Most of them would have the same reaction as I did when David drove in... "WOW!" Everytime I go to a show, I try to meet up with several others I know, whether they are showing a car or not. I use it as a social gathering and I've met and became friends with many people through conversing about my Mustangs, their Mustangs, or both. I like to think of my SSP as a conversation piece... very few people have one!

Last summer, I decided I wasn't going to do anything more than wig-wag lights and mounted (not plugged in) Motorola controller due to it being my daily driver. Many people in various Mustang clubs (member of four) keep asking about the resto process and expect to see it at shows ranging all different places around New England, as they are all awaiting the lights and siren to be functional. I'm sure that after a couple of car shows, it will get old since everyone would expect it when I arrive and the people who wanted to see it would have already at a previous car show. So for the first few, I'll be chirping the siren a few times on entry, but after that, probably won't go on unless it is my first time at that car show location or I have a new co-pilot (I usually bring one of four or five different people to shows), making it exciting for them. I don't mean for it to be annoying, just different! (That's me wearing the sunglasses...lol!)

You don't have to worry about me blasting the sirens and lighting up every place I go. I actually will not even use the siren in my own door yard, as I live right in the center of town. First place I will do it... at the local PD! They are all waiting for it! Parades, car shows, and cruises are all I plan on now that it isn't my daily driver!

Unless anyone is going to car shows in the northeast, plan on being able to see it in NC for the 2010 "Mustang at the Mansion!" It should be painted by then!

NoDrama43... I'll be PM'ing you regarding the light switch box in a few minutes!

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by 5pt0Joe

I'm sure that after a couple of car shows, it will get old since everyone would expect it when I arrive and the people who wanted to see it would have already at a previous car show. So for the first few, I'll be chirping the siren a few times on entry, but after that, probably won't go on unless it is my first time at that car show location or I have a new co-pilot (I usually bring one of four or five different people to shows), making it exciting for them. I don't mean for it to be annoying, just different! (That's me wearing the sunglasses...lol!)

It is already old for lots of people.

"Chirping" may as well be turning it on and leaving it on (read my post above a few more times if you didn't get it).

If your friends want excitement, have them do a ride-along with a real police officer. Or, they can always apply for a job, attend a police academy, and then get all the "excitment" they can handle for the next 20 years or so. (unless they get hurt or killed on the job).

[5pt0Joe]

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

If your friends want excitement, have them do a ride-along with a real police officer.

It's kind of funny that you say that... with the local officers, it is the complete other way around. They are all excited about the progress and are waiting for rides with everything mounted! They are picking straws for the parades too! Many stop by every-so-often when I'm working on it outside to check it out. Excitement is different for everyone!

Old for many, yes, but old for everyone, no!

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by 5pt0Joe

It's kind of funny that you say that... with the local officers, it is the complete other way around. They are all excited about the progress and are waiting for rides with everything mounted! They are picking straws for the parades too! Many stop by every-so-often when I'm working on it outside to check it out. Excitement is different for everyone!

Old for many, yes, but old for everyone, no!

I hope you didn't take what I said the wrong way. I am also excited for you, and your car looks great.

Playing with the siren, whether for attention or otherwise, while entering a show is seen by many as obnoxious. Obviously, when permission is granted in advance by local officials for parades/cruises it's different, but what gives you the right to play with your siren at the start of a car show? Or play with the lights in a public parking lot?

[jpargo]

Joe...car looks great!

[stubes]

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

Playing with the siren, whether for attention or otherwise, while entering a show is seen by many as obnoxious. Obviously, when permission is granted in advance by local officials for parades/cruises it's different, but what gives you the right to play with your siren at the start of a car show? Or play with the lights in a public parking lot?

I agree. i love taking my ssp to cruises shows etc, but have never turned on the siren or the lights while out for any reason. i hate bringing attention both positive or negative to myself.
I got all that out of my system way back when it was a job and drove the real thing. gets old real quick.

[NoDrama43]

Joe,

you said ......"It's kind of funny that you say that... with the local officers, it is the complete other way around. They are all excited about the progress and are waiting for rides with everything mounted! They are picking straws for the parades too! Many stop by every-so-often when I'm working on it outside to check it out. Excitement is different for everyone!

Old for many, yes, but old for everyone, no!

I don't know any police officers that would be the least bit "excited" to hear a siren coming from a police car. I know plenty of police officers and other civilians that ARE excited to see a completly restored, nice police mustang. Your car is nice and will draw attention WITHOUT you dicking with the siren for attention. The whole light show /siren thing when entering a show or loitering in a public parking lot is about drawing attention to yourself. "look at me" "check out my car". How can it be about anything else? If not then please explain the purpose. I think it is obvious to everyone that you derive pleasure from the thought of playing with the lights, hoping to get the stares. Please think about it before you do it as I believe, based on my conversations with civilian show attendees, that you will be considered a wanna be by doing it to excess. What you do at a show with your restored police mustang affects peoples opinions about us all. Amazingly when I attend emergency vehicle car shows and displays I seldom see this type of activity. I only see it out of a small minority of ssp mustang owners. I am sure this post will offend some but I am calling it how I see it. If you are asked to lead a parade or cruise then by all means light em up and give the people what they want. Nothing wrong with that at all.

The BEST way to draw attention to your car at a car show is to have it immaculately clean, restored correctly, and be knowledgable about the history of the car. Be open to answer questions, be courteous and friendly, and act like a professional. Just my opinon, gleaned from 20 years LE and 14 years of collecting and showing SSP mustangs.

[88stang]

Nice looking car you got there.

[EvocBruce]

Jim,

I have to agree with your post. At shows be prepared to answer questions, and listen to the dumb statements made by goobers who think any police car is driven by Barney Fife. Addig a siren to a car to make it an authentic restoration is okay. Playing with it in public when not necessary is juvenile, and a poor reflection on the police car collector hobby in general.