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1982-1986 Special Service Mustangs The 4-eyed cars.

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  #1  
Old 11-08-2011, 11:49 AM
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I read the comments over at CCdC. Frankly, I get tired of all the clown car comments and the way they criticize peoples cars and ideas. It's your car, build it the way you want. If you want to make the inside a museum to what a CHP mustang looks like, then go for it. I'm sure people will understand that you don't want the unneccesary attention that a black and white will bring.

I had posted a thread over there about a Police Buick GN I found, but didn't bother to post the photos and interesting info I found out about it because they wouldn't have appreciated it anyways.

The important thing is that the car is being saved and can easily be finished back to CHP with just some primer and white paint.

Good luck with the project!!
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Old 11-08-2011, 02:01 PM
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Jim, I let the matter die over there regarding Greg's definition of a clown car. He's entitled to his opinion. I won't let it spoil the fun I'm having with my SSP, and I hope David enjoys his new project.
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Old 11-08-2011, 02:12 PM
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I have to agree....I don't think it's a clown car because the doors aren't painted white. While we strive to maintain "correctness" in both restoration and how the cars are perceived here, there's still room for various levels of "completeness". To me, a clown car is full of the wrong equipment (such as LEDs), too many antennas, newer markings, etc. etc. etc. We have all seen these types of "restos" and fully understand why some of these people do them that way. I don't think that's the case here.
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Old 11-08-2011, 04:02 PM
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I think that the term "Clown" can be misinterpreted and misused especially when used with different generations of auto enthusiasts. If you are in the true and specific point of absolute accuracy of the unit, that means that the CHP car should be black and white (or solid white for those special units) without fail and in some ways that's the interpretation of a restoration at CCdC with minimal gray allowed there. I get what you are doing but then again, I come here to this board regularly and I understand. Being a regular at CCdC and the hobby since 1998 I've seen many transitions over the years, the accuracy is the biggest point in a restoration and that is what is the target for the true historical restorer. In my opinion, you do what you want with the car but depending on your audience, your car will be received with different reactions. Much like an SSP being converted for racing is met with an extreme reaction of horror and disgust as with the race crowd would think it's cool. The demo derby guys are really met with disgust there at CCdC for obvious reasons.

It's strictly on interpretation and that's all. Your car and money do with it what you want.

Dave, you enjoy that car and I look forward to seeing it done!
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Old 11-08-2011, 04:41 PM
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Quote:
Passenger Door Bodyside Molding (Mine is a little Wavy)

Body side door moldings were deleted.
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  #6  
Old 11-10-2011, 01:29 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Va 5.0 View Post
Body side door moldings were deleted.
Ummmm... I am confused. All the pix of the 1986 CHP SSPs HAD door mouldings. Please advise?

Thanks!

David
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Old 11-10-2011, 02:44 AM
Ford-Dealer Ford-Dealer is offline
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As far as the restoration is concerned, yes, I am conflicted. Part of me wants to paint her black/white, however part of me doesn't. In a way, I feel that I am doing her an injustice by painting her black/white. I am a LEO here in TX, and with that comes the ability to work traffic control duties (Off Duty Work), for lane closures, construction etc.... My intent is to put her back "In Service" performing those types of duties. That having been said, I want to maintain her origins. The correct CHP Spots have already been installed, and I have purchased NOS deck lights. I am going to install a motorola XTL2500 digital radio under the seat (as to hide it), but install the correct CHP radio and scanner for appearances sake. I suppose one could say that I am trying to HYBRID the mix of OLD/Original vs NEW. If you want to call it a clown car, then by all means do so. I for one disagree. My SSP will live on doing "In Service" duties, which I can assume, that MOST if not ALL restored police cars don't get the chance to do. She will be happier working, than not.... that is my opinion, others are welcomed too.
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Old 11-10-2011, 10:29 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford-Dealer View Post
Ummmm... I am confused. All the pix of the 1986 CHP SSPs HAD door mouldings. Please advise?

Thanks!

David
David,

The rubber moldings on the doors were not installed on the CHP cars, which allowed the logo/lettering to be put on the doors. The door has a horizontal ridge along the molding line, which you can see in this in-service shot of a 1986 CHP Mustang -




...but the door molding isn't installed on the CHP Mustangs. There are add'l pictures in our CHP picture gallery.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford-Dealer View Post
As far as the restoration is concerned, yes, I am conflicted. Part of me wants to paint her black/white, however part of me doesn't. In a way, I feel that I am doing her an injustice by painting her black/white. I am a LEO here in TX, and with that comes the ability to work traffic control duties (Off Duty Work), for lane closures, construction etc.... My intent is to put her back "In Service" performing those types of duties.

I do not know what the requirements are in your area for using a personal vehicle during off-duty traffic control, but it sounds like that is your intention with your new SSP. You will need to ensure that you are operating your vehicle within the constraints of the local/state laws. LEO or not, you will be inviting the interest of other LEO's (i.e. getting stopped) if your car has visible lights if they're not allowed. As I recall, you had been planning to repaint the car all-black, but with the correct lights. Just be aware of your public perception while operating your classic/antique police car. There have been some incidents where the owners used poor judgment while operating their former police cars on public roadways which could have ended badly for the hobby in general, and for those owners in particular.
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