Ex Police cars, the extra power myth ? or reality
Discussion
How is it everyone seems to think ex Police cars have some kind of massive power advantage in a nudge nudge wink wink way ?
Generally the reality is the biggest standard engine, the hardest suspension, downgraded interior, steel wheels and the best brakes available in the range, maybe some other detail changes for Police use but as far as I am aware most never have any power upgrade yet everyone seems to have some kind of legend about Police Capri's or Jags, never any specifics, just that they were imbued with near mythical levels of performance and we are meant to nod reverentially.
All I have heard of is some of the pursuit cars (Evos/Scoobs) at GMP when I worked there that had a manufacturer approved remap, being a bit of a nerd I asked the Police mechanics at Bury about this and they just said they were fast because they were well maintained, they used genuine parts and had a good few miles on them so were well run in.
Generally the reality is the biggest standard engine, the hardest suspension, downgraded interior, steel wheels and the best brakes available in the range, maybe some other detail changes for Police use but as far as I am aware most never have any power upgrade yet everyone seems to have some kind of legend about Police Capri's or Jags, never any specifics, just that they were imbued with near mythical levels of performance and we are meant to nod reverentially.
All I have heard of is some of the pursuit cars (Evos/Scoobs) at GMP when I worked there that had a manufacturer approved remap, being a bit of a nerd I asked the Police mechanics at Bury about this and they just said they were fast because they were well maintained, they used genuine parts and had a good few miles on them so were well run in.
Generally a myth, I would think. Yes, the spec can be a bit funny on the cars, things like boggo spec interior matched with upgraded engines and uprated components (think Volvo S60 T5 with cloth interior like an S60 diesel). I'm sure some people have in the past seen what they maybe thought was a cheaper car because of the looks or spec when it's actually running more power, simply because the force that initially paid for it wanted performance and capability but didn't fancy shelling out for the accompanying leather interior etc etc.
There are some cars that are disguised, I recall a friend of mine talking about the force he used to work for having unmarked Vectras with 2.8L V6's in the front, and having the second exhaust covered by a standard bodykit. So it looked like any other boggo spec Vectra but went considerably faster.
Etc etc. Don't forget, these cars are driven by professionals in such a manner that they make it look easy, and the accompanying pace follows that.
There are some cars that are disguised, I recall a friend of mine talking about the force he used to work for having unmarked Vectras with 2.8L V6's in the front, and having the second exhaust covered by a standard bodykit. So it looked like any other boggo spec Vectra but went considerably faster.
Etc etc. Don't forget, these cars are driven by professionals in such a manner that they make it look easy, and the accompanying pace follows that.
Back in the 60's/70's I know they used to get some specials, the local plod used to call in for a cuppa where I worked at the time, with a P6 Rover V8, which had a Holley carb + other mods including full harness seatbelts. They reckoned it was good for about 130. This was in 1975 or thereabouts, nowadays they would need the extra power just to carry all the gear they take with them.
v8will said:
For the most part no, not in this country although a few manufacturers offer 'Police specials' I think Volvo used to or still do some with uprated electrics and uprated brakes.
Most US stuff is special order, uprated engines etc.
Funnily enough I was in a Police Spec Ford Crown Victoria, an "Interceptor" no less last week, it was a Taxi, still had the nudge bars and the spotlight plus other stuff, long journey to Atlanta airport so got talking to the Cabbie, he confirmed it was indeed a fettled ex Po-lice version, I asked him for a demo and he duly obliged, er, and not much happened, it pulled but nothing amazing, probably as fast a V6 repmobile, sort of 8 sec to sixty I would estimate, I made suitable "impressed" noises and checked later on, about 240 bhp in a separate chassis 2 tonne barge was never going to be that quick, think they are just less slow than the civillian spec granny cruiser but nothing alarming, think Hollywood has a lot to answer for in this respect.Most US stuff is special order, uprated engines etc.
J4CKO said:
v8will said:
For the most part no, not in this country although a few manufacturers offer 'Police specials' I think Volvo used to or still do some with uprated electrics and uprated brakes.
Most US stuff is special order, uprated engines etc.
Funnily enough I was in a Police Spec Ford Crown Victoria, an "Interceptor" no less last week, it was a Taxi, still had the nudge bars and the spotlight plus other stuff, long journey to Atlanta airport so got talking to the Cabbie, he confirmed it was indeed a fettled ex Po-lice version, I asked him for a demo and he duly obliged, er, and not much happened, it pulled but nothing amazing, probably as fast a V6 repmobile, sort of 8 sec to sixty I would estimate, I made suitable "impressed" noises and checked later on, about 240 bhp in a separate chassis 2 tonne barge was never going to be that quick, think they are just less slow than the civillian spec granny cruiser but nothing alarming, think Hollywood has a lot to answer for in this respect.Most US stuff is special order, uprated engines etc.
I'm sure there are or have been many special pursuit vehicles over the years, yet in this day and age with the radio, speed camera's and helicopter support, such vehicles aren't really needed.
Also a half decent 1.9CDTi Astra is likely to be quick enough in real terms to pursue most vehicles and have a realistic high enough top speed too. You'd have to be in something quite extreme to truly lose them and avoid the radio.
Bungleaio said:
Elwood said:
It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?
Wasn't there something about BiB vans having the largest engine size available and being able to do the ton? LDV's perhaps?
I think years ago there may have been some truth in this,remeber reading about a couple of Broadspeed turbo 3.0 Consul GTs or Granada Ss in the seventies.
The Met definately had Rover 2600 autos with minilites and 4 pot calipers both marked and unmarked in the 80's (got my first endorsement from a dark green one on the A406 in 1982!). They also had a load of Sierra GLS autos with 4x4 Cossie bonnets to aid cooling in the early nineties.
The only ex-police cars I've come into contact with were just seriously lightened-24v Senators with no aircon,no sunroof no electrics etc,so when you removed all the Police equpment they must have been quicker than a standard car!
The Met definately had Rover 2600 autos with minilites and 4 pot calipers both marked and unmarked in the 80's (got my first endorsement from a dark green one on the A406 in 1982!). They also had a load of Sierra GLS autos with 4x4 Cossie bonnets to aid cooling in the early nineties.
The only ex-police cars I've come into contact with were just seriously lightened-24v Senators with no aircon,no sunroof no electrics etc,so when you removed all the Police equpment they must have been quicker than a standard car!
I work closely with Volvo and their special vehicle dept in the UK.
Whereas you go to your local Volvo dealer and buy a V70 SE, Lux or R Design, the emergency services buy (direct from Volvo UK) a 'Police'. Even if the vehicle is for the Paramedics or Fire Service, it's still a 'Police'.
Two engine options. T6 petrol or D5 which is funnily enough a diesel! T6 is standard power output. D5 as standard is approx 220bhp. This is slightly enhanced with a Polestar remap to approx 235bhp and an associated increase in torque. Note that the higher D5 output is only offered to the Police. The Fire Servie and Paramedics claim not to need it.
Suspension is updated with regard to the amount of weight that the car can legally carry. This is to offer a decent payload. A certain Bavarian manufacturer sails very close to the wind in this regard!
Tyres are Extra Load Michelin Primacy HP.
Brake discs and calipers are the same. Different compound for the pads.
Front seats are half leatherette half cloth. Rear seats are plastic.
A small additional loom is fitted in the factory.
Vehicles can be supplied as turnkey ready to use or any stage in between that and 'standard' for a 'Police'.
Supplied with 4 keys.
Can't think of anything else from the top of my head at the moment!
Whereas you go to your local Volvo dealer and buy a V70 SE, Lux or R Design, the emergency services buy (direct from Volvo UK) a 'Police'. Even if the vehicle is for the Paramedics or Fire Service, it's still a 'Police'.
Two engine options. T6 petrol or D5 which is funnily enough a diesel! T6 is standard power output. D5 as standard is approx 220bhp. This is slightly enhanced with a Polestar remap to approx 235bhp and an associated increase in torque. Note that the higher D5 output is only offered to the Police. The Fire Servie and Paramedics claim not to need it.
Suspension is updated with regard to the amount of weight that the car can legally carry. This is to offer a decent payload. A certain Bavarian manufacturer sails very close to the wind in this regard!
Tyres are Extra Load Michelin Primacy HP.
Brake discs and calipers are the same. Different compound for the pads.
Front seats are half leatherette half cloth. Rear seats are plastic.
A small additional loom is fitted in the factory.
Vehicles can be supplied as turnkey ready to use or any stage in between that and 'standard' for a 'Police'.
Supplied with 4 keys.
Can't think of anything else from the top of my head at the moment!
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