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Members' SSPs A place to post up pics of your SSP, whether restored, in-progress, or somewhere in-between. |
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#1
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1985 CHP #E408395
RE-CAP
Back in October 2008, I picked up a 1985 SSP Mustang from the gym teacher at school. He said the car used to be a California Highway Patrol car (1 of 155 Mustangs the CHP bought that year). He had it for about 10 years having bought it from his brother in LA. The car was slightly modified, and needed paint, body, and interior work. The seller had zero verification that the car was what he claimed, although I was fairly certain that it was an SSP. The 2nd Buck Tag was missing, but the trunk release button was moved to the right of the steering column, the a-pillar trim had holes for spot lights, it had the 140mph speedo, and it used the single key for all locks. The 6-digit DSO on the door tag was consistent with other CHP Stangs. After purchasing it, I found the CHP unit number ghost-written on the side glass - [continued]
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Bill Jr. To everyone out there, wherever you are. Remember, the light at the end of the tunnel may be the police chasing you down in their own Mustang! |
#2
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Joining the SSP forums was a great resource for learning more about SSP's in general, and my car in particular. I'm still learning!
Locating the unit number was the first step in finding out more about this car. As everybody here knows, SSP's are rich in history, and doing research is a huge part of the attraction of these vehicles. Knowing the unit number, I contacted the CHP via several methods and was VERY LUCKY to get a copy of the CHP Assignment Card directly from CHP Motor Transport: I learned that my car served at Quincy, California Station #165 for about a year and a half. Afterward, it was repainted silver by the CHP and sold at auction for $4,650.00. The history afterward gets a little fuzzy, but along the way it was repainted "Toyota Gray". By the time it came into my custody, the car's specifications/modifications included: - Carbed 5.0L with 5 spd (tremec) - Hurst shifter w/ stock handle - Centerforce clutch - CARB-legal JBA shorties w/ full cats and 2.25" dual 3-chamber Flowmasters - 93 Cobra 8.8" rear-end w/ disc brakes - 87&up 11" front disc brakes - Racecraft suspension with KYB shocks and aftermarket springs - Aftermarket panhard bar - Subframe connectors (welded) - 225/60R15 (front) - I painted the rims black, and added larger 255/60R15 BFG's out back. [continued]
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Bill Jr. To everyone out there, wherever you are. Remember, the light at the end of the tunnel may be the police chasing you down in their own Mustang! |
#3
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MOVING FORWARD
I had a REALLY hard time deciding how I wanted to repaint the car. There are so many colors to choose from! I have no intention of restoring the car to its in-service condition. I've spoken with several members here, and their experience helped me decide that my SSP would be ALOT more fun to have as an unmarked driver. So the decision was made to go black, although I seriously considered stealing Marcos's idea for #8302 and going with a white top and inside door edges with the rest black. But I think I will enjoy all-black, and it gives me the option to paint the white on later if it ever is decided to take it back to its in-service condition. In the middle of February 2009, I put the car into John's Body Shop in Wilmington, DE. I knew they wouldn't be able to start on the car for about a month due to a 1962 Autocar fire truck slipping in ahead of me. I will post up pictures once they tie into it. Here's a pic the day it went into the body shop (note the silver paint under the removed side molding) As stated, the plan is to rebuild it as a fun driver that looks like an all-black, unmarked Fox cop car. Authentic CHP lights and antennae are in-hand, and I will post up pics of them soon. I will also update this thread as progress is made and new parts arrive.
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Bill Jr. To everyone out there, wherever you are. Remember, the light at the end of the tunnel may be the police chasing you down in their own Mustang! |
#4
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Past Sins Uncovered
Well, I knew my CHP Mustang had lived a hard life. The Assignment Card listed that the car had been wrecked while in-service, but the car was not sold as a wreck. They repaired the car prior to it going to auction.
As most of you know, when the 85's were originally equipped by the CHP, they would cut a hole in the bottom of the plastic front bumper cover for the loud speaker, but my car had no such hole on the driver's side. Turns out the nose had been replaced. Once the bodyshop removed the nose, they saw that the metal bumper and the driver's side impact absorber were damaged from an accident. It's tough to see in the picture, but the bumper and absorber ARE bent. Replacements are being sourced currently. There was also damage on the hood in the front driver's side, which was apparent when the paint was removed. In this shot, you can see the original white paint under the removed side sail panels - So as of today, this is how my SSP Mustang looks at the body shop with much of the trim removed - I plan to stop by again on Friday, April 3rd to take more pictures of the car's progress. There is evidence of additional body damage on the passenger side rear quarter panel, so it will be interesting to see what is found as the paint is removed.
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Bill Jr. To everyone out there, wherever you are. Remember, the light at the end of the tunnel may be the police chasing you down in their own Mustang! |
#5
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Can't wait to see more progress! It's going to look very slick in all black.
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Chris L '86 TX DPS Mustang. Unknown Unit # |
#6
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Great post....nice to see your assignment card, too.
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Mike '82 SSP (Marketing Order) '83 Colorado State Patrol #202 '83 Texas DPS '85 Florida Highway Patrol #1422 '93 Florida Highway Patrol #1187 '93 Florida Highway Patrol #1363 |
#7
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My 1985 CHP #E408395
Here is another pciture of my SSP Mustang, parked next to a friend's take-home work-ride (Summer 2010) -
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Bill Jr. To everyone out there, wherever you are. Remember, the light at the end of the tunnel may be the police chasing you down in their own Mustang! |
#8
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Bill - A lot to be proud of there and that black really sparkles!
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Mike 1992 Michigan State Police SSP Mustang #5114 1993 Wisconsin State Patrol SSP Mustang 1993 Missouri State Highway Patrol SSP Mustang P641 http://members.fotki.com/MOstang/ |
#9
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very nice Bill. It is always good when you get them painted and back together.
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Jim for the first time since 1998 there is only two left: 1984 Oregon SP unmarked 1986 Idaho SP |
#10
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Thanks guys! It's a constant work-in-progress. I'll continue to update this thread with pictures as I make headway.
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Bill Jr. To everyone out there, wherever you are. Remember, the light at the end of the tunnel may be the police chasing you down in their own Mustang! |
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