N00B in Delaware, looking to buy

28HopUp · #1 10-20-2008, 10:03 AM

Hello guys (and gals)!

Although I am new here, and am very active on different Mustang forums, including Mustang Forums where I am an Administrator.

The gym teacher where my wife works saw my '66 Mustang, and commented that he had an old CHP car that he wanted to get rid of. It is a 1985 SSP notchback with a carbed 5.0L/5spd, and was a former CHP car (no idea on the unit number). Mechanically, it now has an 8.8" rear/t-lok (not sure of the gears) with rear disc brakes, tremec 5 speed (which is the good one), aftermarket suspension, recent clutch, welded sub-frame connectors, and aftermarket exhaust. The interior is just OK, with '91 seats but the headliner is falling and the dash pad is badly cracked.

The car is now a "Toyota" dark gray, but the paint is faded and peeling in spots. The right front fender has some cracked bondo (propably CHP bodywork). The original 15x7" police steel wheels were replaced with 10-hole aluminum wheels with good rubber. There isn't much in the way of documentation with the car. I didn't write down any of the data tag info, but the DSO was 6 digits, the car was originally black from Ford, there was a buck tag in the middle of the radiator bracket, and it had the trunk release to the right of the steering wheel. So I'm fairly confident it's a true SSP.

Here is a pic of the car:

Like I said, it would need to be repainted and cosmetic work to look really good. The guy is asking $4K, which is about $1K more than I think it is worth. I will use the fact that the paint is bad and the original wheels are gone to negotiate a better price, but I'm fairly certain that I will be getting this. If I do buy it, does anybody have an extra set of 85/86 wheelss they'd like to sell me? :-)

jarhed123 · #2 10-20-2008, 10:08 AM

While I don't have the wheels you need, I agree 3k is in the ball park for the car with the work that is needed. Good luck with the buy as not many 4 eye cars are around.

ImEvil1 · #3 10-20-2008, 11:52 AM

Welcome to the site. Good luck with your purchase, too.

28HopUp · #4 10-20-2008, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

Welcome to the site. Good luck with your purchase, too.

Thanks for the warm welcome (jarhed too). I've had a crash course this past week in learning about the SSP's. Although I have zero interest in returning the car to active-duty status, I would bring the car back to its post-auction appearance. After redoing the interior, my next order of business would be finding a set of the original wheels. I could always paint the 10-holes like on latter-year SSP's, but I'd prefer to find an original set. Then I'd fix the bodywork. It should be a fun car, which I could use as an occasional daily driver.

I'll post up once I bring it home.

ImEvil1 · #5 10-20-2008, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 28HopUp

Thanks for the warm welcome (jarhed too). I've had a crash course this past week in learning about the SSP's. Although I have zero interest in returning the car to active-duty status, I would bring the car back to its post-auction appearance. After redoing the interior, my next order of business would be finding a set of the original wheels. I could always paint the 10-holes like on latter-year SSP's, but I'd prefer to find an original set. Then I'd fix the bodywork. It should be a fun car, which I could use as an occasional daily driver.

I'll post up once I bring it home.

Sounds like a good plan...the center caps are probably going to be harder to find than the wheels, though.

Always good to see another one surface.

predator20 · #6 10-20-2008, 02:17 PM

Welcome

This guy has a set of wheels he listed a while back. Not sure if planned on keeping them now. http://www.specialservicemustang.net...ead.php?t=1020

As Mike (ImEvil1) said the center caps are the hardest to find. Usually run up to around $200 just for the caps. You can get a set of escort caps cheap and modify them. http://www.specialservicemustang.net...read.php?t=398

28HopUp · #7 10-20-2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by predator20

Welcome

This guy has a set of wheels he listed a while back. Not sure if planned on keeping them now. http://www.specialservicemustang.net...ead.php?t=1020

As Mike (ImEvil1) said the center caps are the hardest to find. Usually run up to around $200 just for the caps. You can get a set of escort caps cheap and modify them. http://www.specialservicemustang.net...read.php?t=398

Thanks for the tips on the wheels. I saw that ad and already printed it out (to show the seller as a legitimate bartering prop). Ah, the excitement surrounding the possible purchase of another Stang has my head spinning. I just don't know where I'll park the darned thing. The 2-car garage already has two Stangs in it, and there's 2 trucks parked in the driveway. Maybe I can squeeze 3 vehicles onto the driveway pad. :-P At least my wife is supportive!

I plan to hopefully finalize things with the seller in the next day or so. Then I'll need to insurance it and get the car licensed (hope it passes DMV inspection!).

28HopUp · #8 10-20-2008, 03:05 PM

Here's another view -

ImEvil1 · #9 10-20-2008, 03:25 PM

Looks pretty good.....funny how far east it has made it.

28HopUp · #10 10-20-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

Looks pretty good.....funny how far east it has made it.

In 1999, the current owner bought it from his brother, who still lives in southern California. The car still has a Cal Poly sticker in the rear window. The new owner needed another car for his son to drive, but it didn't take long for him to get a ticket in it. His kids have moved out of the house, and the car has sat in his garage. Although it is uninsured and the tags expired in 2006, he does drive it around the block every so often. He's selling it now to help fund his 1956 Chevy sedan project.