SSP's "Not buildable" ?????

[kapracing]

Not really trying to strike a nerve, lol. Just wondering,and I know value wise the car would be at the lowest. But What I'm trying to say is someone would still want it and it'd at least still be around instead of a memory...Wouldnt that be better? Lord knows that I know, we cant save them all but shouldnt we at least try to see if someones willing before we take it's identity? Take a look at some of the basket case shelbys and fastbacks that have been restored...

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by kapracing

Not really trying to strike a nerve, lol. Just wondering,and I know value wise the car would be at the lowest. But What I'm trying to say is someone would still want it and it'd at least still be around instead of a memory...Wouldnt that be better? Lord knows that I know, we cant save them all but shouldnt we at least try to see if someones willing before we take it's identity? Take a look at some of the basket case shelbys and fastbacks that have been restored...

No worries....and I think I'm not alone (at least not here). We agree with you.

[CHP 3705]

I agree about saving them. I was very fortunate to have acquired an 89 Minnesota SSP that was used for a parts car for years and was about to be used for a derby car. I'm going to have more time and money in this car than it's worth but someone needs to do it. I also believe in saving every one. These cars are a very important part of history. For these cars to have survived their police tour of duty is amazing in it's self. And then to be abused even more by "Ricky Racer" and a host of other abusers. It is a labor of love for sure. The "Flippers" will always be around, but most will eventually move on to the next hot item. Those of us that love & appreciate SSP's will be here for ever. Doug

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by CHP 3705

It is a labor of love for sure. The "Flippers" will always be around, but most will eventually move on to the next hot item.Those of us that love & appreciate SSP's will be here for ever. Doug

Amen. I've been criticized by some of the "resto-furbers" because I haven't finished a car. In reality, many of them haven't, either. Slapping a paint job on a car and selling it on eBay as "restored" is disingenuous. "Saving" a car, in my case, includes purchasing and storing it so that it doesn't get raced out, wrapped around a telephone pole, or in today's "market conditions", flipped back and forth repeatedly or cloned into someone's "fantasy" car. Sooner or later, I'll get into mine, but until then, they are safely tucked away.

My .02.

[kapracing]

That's pretty smart thinking if you ask me. Wish I had a old warehouse to pack them away in. One thing I'd like to clarify, I know my user name puts people on edge. Yes I used to street race a good bit (hence the username "kapracing" shortened up from kicking ass/phalt when I got into church). I'm now 42 no longer doing that sota thing. I do love these cars, Been chased myself by one or two... lol. I admit I'm not as into the concourse scene as much as some, but I would love to keep them all from becoming a kia...

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by kapracing

That's pretty smart thinking if you ask me. Wish I had a old warehouse to pack them away in. One thing I'd like to clarify, I know my user name puts people on edge. Yes I used to street race a good bit (hence the username "kapracing" shortened up from kicking ass/phalt when I got into church). I'm now 42 no longer doing that sota thing. I do love these cars, Been chased myself by one or two... lol. I admit I'm not as into the concourse scene as much as some, but I would love to keep them all from becoming a kia...

Don't think I didn't notice when I approved your account!

We try to give everyone an opportunity to participate on whatever level they want to here. One thing I've learned in my now 20 years of LE is that everything isn't always what it seems. That and those that jump to rash conclusions just might find themselves looking pretty foolish.

We're glad to have people like you on this site.

[kapracing]

Thanks, and if you hear of a ssp that's "Not buildable" let me know. I might just tuck it away myself...

[28HopUp]

Originally Posted by kapracing

Take a look at some of the basket case shelbys and fastbacks that have been restored...

Exactly! I remember going through junk yards and seeing plenty of 6-cylinder fastbacks rotting away because nobody thought they had any value. With the proliferation of aftermarket replacement parts, these cars are now being restored/restofied (more commonly the latter, where it's being hot rodded up or cloned into something else).

Will this happen with SSPs? Perhaps. The aftermarket following is fairly good presently, and the desirability of 5.0L Fox Mustangs will always be there. SSPs that are presently "un-restorable" for economic reasons may at some point be given another life through a comprehensive restoration. But those costs will be high, and a restored car (versus a low mileage original SSP) will be more desirable if its in-service history can be documented/traced. Police records will not get any easier to find 10+ years from now, and the officers who remember these cars will be long-retired by then. It's their in-service history that makes SSP's so unique in the car hobby, so documenting a vehicle's usage will be more important (and difficult) as time goes on.