1986 Idaho SSP

[GSPI]

As a brief update for those that mentioned it, I got the direct word from ISP today that the skull shift knob is definitely not something added by a trooper (they were very emphatic about that too). They were only allowed to install a CB radio and nothing more in their vehicles! So time to get a factory correct shift knob. I just got the Whelen Responder, mike clip and rear antenna on eBay in the past day or so and I'm only needing the GE radio itself that I see on eBay and the reflector of course for the responder light. I can say that I'm done with getting equipment from what I see in general. Now for more pressing matters!

[Mustang Kid]

Originally Posted by GSPI

As a brief update for those that mentioned it, I got the direct word from ISP today that the skull shift knob is definitely not something added by a trooper (they were very emphatic about that too). They were only allowed to install a CB radio and nothing more in their vehicles! So time to get a factory correct shift knob. I just got the Whelen Responder, mike clip and rear antenna on eBay in the past day or so and I'm only needing the GE radio itself that I see on eBay and the reflector of course for the responder light. I can say that I'm done with getting equipment from what I see in general. Now for more pressing matters!

Like finding te build sheet

[GSPI]

That and the mysterious missing time between June 27, 1986 delivery at the Ford dealership (I'm asking that question too as to who was the supplier of these cars) and May 31, 1996 where the car did not show any title, registration or any activity at all on Autocheck. Any other suggestions for finding this information?

[NoDrama43]

that is the time it was in service....... Idaho SP and then maybe somewhere else (local or county, or college for example like my 91 GSP car) ........... prior to being sold to the first civilian owner.

My 91 GSP was taken out of service and transferred to a Georgia State owned college and in service there until sold in 2006.

[GSPI]

Thanks Jim, that's what I figured it might be too just trying to be accurate on the information.

As I find more information, I will post it here. The other ISP car that surfaced this year was at Idaho State University in Pocatello after it was at ISP. There are 7 state universities and colleges there in Idaho along with the private colleges too and who knows the other potential departments that could have used this for drug cars or D.A.R.E or a number of things. The surplus program in Idaho states that they can without bid "transfer" to another municipality or state sponsored organization as well as donating to an established charity too. I think that there are some blank times on these cars - check the Autocheck on the recent Idaho SSP sale here on eBay (click on the auto report to see what I mean):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=...AIT#vi-content

You will notice that it was government registered in 2002... what happened before? I have a similar deal but not showing any government use at all nor any activity until 1996.

I'm going to contact Idaho's online DMV service today to see if there is any benefit to paying a $95.00 subscription fee and $8.50 per vehicle search and get any better information than what I'm getting from Experian. It might be that the electronic records only go back ten or so years, who knows. I don't know if "CarFax" is any better either.

I know that information is sometimes a WAG in these cases but I look to find answers and I'll keep digging. If anyone else has a suggestion of where to look, let me know.

[gixxer1]

Congrats on the purchase!

[GSPI]

Thanks! It's a bit of a challenge since I've never really done that much with Mustangs in the past or a restoration of a department other than my local departments here in Ohio.

I did however have some good progress today in historical searches. Worked out what looks to be the location of the correct Ford dealer today in Idaho that delivered my and Jim Y's cars in 1986. Along with that, I found possibly the cache of ISP radios that were in the Mustangs too with original ISP property tags still on them (no worries Jim, I'll get one for you too!). Have now multiple confirmations from the Boise Coroner's office, the radio firm that sold the GE radios and a US Marshal that have stated that ISP used GE Phoenix UHF radios from the early 80's on. I've also got an interesting note that they may have also used Federal PA 15, 20 and 200's rather than Unitrols... back to the drawing board maybe??