So how do ou make an SSP car legal and other questions

[MOstang]

I agree with everything that's been said. Keep in mind the laws in ever state are different so familiarize yourself with them - don't expect or assume others will know them as well as you.

While I haven't done this since moving to Michigan (no reason just haven't yet), one thing you may want to consider is being up front (you don't have anything to hide) and having a conversation with your local PD. I did this when living in Eden Prairie, Minnesota (Minneapolis). Not sure if others on the Forum have done that and what their experience was. I would describe my experience as mixed. On the one hand it worked out well as I was being up front - again nothing to hide. On the other hand, they really didn't know how to react. The point of my discussion was letting them know that I now had this show car and that's what it would be used for; they would see it on the road occassionally; and did they have any requests of me up front.

Assume going in you are going to get pulled over and be prepared to answer some questions. When I lived in the Twin Cities, the Minnesota State Patrol was the first ones to pull me over. I was then pulled over the Eden Prairie PD and after that they left me alone. Since being in Metro Detroit have been pulled over going to a car show by Redford Township and also on the way to a show by the Michigan State Patrol. All in all have owend by FHP just over 2 years with 4 stops.

It always goes the same and I'm asked "what I use the car for". Just explain to them it's a former FHP Mustang that is now a show car. All but once I was going to a car show and had signs and other things for the show with me. They are always interested and curious in the car (in a positive way), check my license and insurance and then let me on my way. I do not have any tickets on my license which helps.

I have covers for the light bar; covers for rear deck lights; emblems - except for the unit numbers on roof - are magnetic and removed when driving; keep spotlight turned in. Additionally I have disconnect switches installed for electronics - always keep those in the off position. It hasn't happened to me yet, but if they ask me to start punching buttons nothing will happen as long as those are in the off position.

[WSP-SSP]

i concur with the above, every state has different laws and restrictions. Your state highway patrol should have a website that you can contact the equipment division, they can help you with that. Good luck, when in doubt , cover it up..

[5pt0Joe]

I've been living in a small town in NH where everyone knows everyone for over four years now and although the local PD always knew exactly who I was the whole time, the surrounding local towns and several state patrol officers didn't. My TX SSP was my daily driver last summer by choice, since it was new to me and I simply enjoyed the conversation piece that it was. Although the only lights I had were spotlights (non-functional), it was obviously a ex-police car that attracted a lot of attention, especially at work in the corner of the parking lot taking up four spaces! I've never been stopped by a cop yet, but I get followed all the time, sometimes a lot more than I'd like. What I didn't know until about four or five months ago is that while they follow me, they talked about me on the radio. Being in retail sales, many officers came into my work and purchased products from me because I owned the "Mustang police car" in the lot and I'd tell them about future plans with lights and markings. They too would end up chiming in on the radio when a different officer spotted me. Before I knew it, I'd have officers waiving to me all the time.

In a nutshell, talking to officers are one of the best things I've ever done regarding my SSP. I'm extremely open with them and have assured them that I mean no harm in driving an ex-police car. Once I have everything on the car, the lights will be covered and the "Not In Service" badge will go on the back. They all confirmed that that was the smartest thing to do. They told me not to worry too much about covering interior equipment as long as the car was properly identified as a former police car that is not currently in service. Not sure how rural your area is, but I guess a small town is a big advantage when you have a unique car that stands out of the crowd! As stated previously, just be open with the PD ahead of time and check your local laws.