What agency was used hatchback ?

rouge67 · #1 06-14-2008, 01:23 PM

I see that the NYPD used late hatchback, does anybody know if other agencies (or local sheriffs) used earlier hatchback ?

ImEvil1 · #2 06-14-2008, 01:30 PM

Those cars used by NYPD weren't SSP cars, just regular Mustangs that had been seized from street racers.

CHP tested a few hatchbacks before they ordered the '82s. Kevin M. ("Kevin" here on the forums) has one of them, if I remember correctly.

mac88chp · #3 06-15-2008, 02:18 AM

Kevin's '82 hatch:

rouge67 · #4 06-15-2008, 10:49 AM

I'm interested knowing more about the hatchback, Kevin, HooHoo ?

mac88chp · #5 06-15-2008, 06:02 PM

I can tell you a little about it.

Once the CHP evaluated the original Ford prepared 1982 Mustang L sedan based SSP prototype, they placed an order for 400 of the first production SSP cars. All of them were to be identical to the prototype with the exception of five units. They were built using the hatchback body in order to evaluate the feasibility of using that configuration. Even though the hatchbacks were equipped identically to the sedan, they were not built as part of the regular DSO that the rest of the order was built from and therefore, they are not techically classed as SSPs but rather as additional prototypes.

The hatchback CHP units were put into regular service and at the end of the evaluation period, it was determined that the sedan was the preferred body style and so no more hatchbacks were ordered by the Patrol or built by Ford. It is believed that the five hatchback units completed their normal tours of duty in patrol and were then surplused and sold much as any other CHP "run-out."

These cars would have become no more than an interesting footnote in the history of police Mustangs had not one of the retired units suddenly surfaced in a remote corner of California and been acquired by Kevin. This car is the only one of the hatchbacks known to have survived and is now restored and showed mostly in California.

rouge67 · #6 06-16-2008, 03:43 PM

Thank you very much Michael. Good review !

FHP#1357 · #7 12-09-2008, 01:18 AM

I went to the police academy in monroe county back in late 93' Monroe Sherrifs had a black GT with subdued lettering that the deputy of the month would drive, Im sure it was a seized vehicle

rouge67 · #8 12-09-2008, 04:17 PM

Thank you and welcome here !

SparkSVT · #9 12-09-2008, 09:19 PM

nice avatar.

in-pursuit · #10 05-11-2009, 11:38 PM

FYI, Kevin's hatchback was assigned to the Redwood City office. I have photographs of it from when it was in service with them.