1991 CHP Ford Crown Vic, On going Restoration.

[akabrek]

I am new to the Board


I have an on going restoration of a 1991 Ford Crown Vic CHP car, while in service it was unit #8849. This seemed like a good forum to get some feedback and pointers. I have tried do as much research as possible but living in New Hampshire it makes it a bit difficult being on the other side of the country. I have put a lot of hours in trying to get things as correct/accurate as possible and maybe there are some people here that could help with some feedback and pointers. So far I have some things to correct. The rear trunk lettering is not the right size and should be reflective. The E plates that you see in the pics are Municipal E plates not state. I have had special set of plates made with the correct unit number for the car, so that has been taken care of. I have been having a lot of trouble finding the correct mounting hardwhare for the radio head and for the MR8100 scanner. I have found some unique items over the last couple of years for this car. Such as, Roll-o-matic measuring device, CHP medical bag and 02 bag, ticket book holder (no ticket book though :sad: ) and some other interesting things such as that.

Here are some pics and a link to the site where most of my pictures are held.

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/243802/fullsize/CHP%20204.jpg

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/243842/fullsize/CHP%20237.jpg

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/243824/fullsize/CHP%20225.jpg

And here is a link to more of the pictures:
http://www.supermotors.org/vehicles/registry/detail.php?id=9708&s=28386#content

If anyone has any suggestions on how to make this better or could point me towards some period correct items for the car, such as trunk items or period correct vehicle code and such it would be greatly appreciated.

[SB 405]

Is the red light in the rear window correct? Looks odd to me.

[Mac]

Is the red light in the rear window correct? Looks odd to me.
It's correct. There were amber, blue and red deck lights.

As I told akabrek in a PM, the only two things I'm not sure on are 1)Whether or not we had center-mounted forward red lights at that time, and 2)Whether or not we were using the "Safety and Service" stickers on the cars at that time. I've never been a big car history aficionado, so I didn't pay close attention to exactly when revisions/updates took place.....I just drove them! :smile:

[NorCalN00b]

Very nicely done! I would hit it!

[SB 405]

I'd love to see somebody restore one of those Polaras from the 60's.

[redhead]

I think the cell phone is not the correct vintage ;) (last pic)


Looks great though! Keep us updated on your progress!!

[Cameron]

Sweet! She's a beaut.

[DReed]

You might want to contact the "museum" at the CHP Academy in W. Sacramento. They might have some photos or restoration input for you, or be able to put you in contact with someone who can help you out.

By the time I made it to the Academy, I think those bad boys were only being used as the "PIT" trainers for our EVOC course.

[SB 405]

Now these are cop cars.

http://www.highwaypatroltv.com/CHP-AcademyTour/A10.htm

If you need another project car aka,how about one of these old war horses sent out to pasture.

http://www.highwaypatroltv.com/CHP-AcademyTour/A08.htm

[SB 405]

Is the red light in the rear window correct? Looks odd to me.
It's correct. There were amber, blue and red deck lights.

As I told akabrek in a PM, the only two things I'm not sure on are 1)Whether or not we had center-mounted forward red lights at that time, and 2)Whether or not we were using the "Safety and Service" stickers on the cars at that time. I've never been a big car history aficionado, so I didn't pay close attention to exactly when revisions/updates took place.....I just drove them! :smile:Mac,would all three rear deck lights flash? The only steady burn light would be the red light on the A pillar,correct? I seem to recall reading all emergency vehicles must have at least one steady burn red light visible from 1,000ft. (not sure of that distance)

[Officer_Grady]

that car rode like a boat.

[akabrek]

Thanks for the great comments about the restoration. I think some of the questions I had have been answered in some PM's that got sent. One of the issues was in regards to the rear deck lights. I have gotten answers all over the board on that one. But the most prevalent answer was that... Yellow and blue lights alternate for normal traffic stops and pursuits and such. For "round robbin's" and for stopping traffic flow and such the Red and Blue alternate. When the cars only had the two rear deck lights red and amber (before they went to the three light set up).. the red back then was steady burn. Where as the vehicles that had the three deck lights the red flashed. If anyone has any info on the 88-91 cars and how things were set up please dont hesitate to send me a pm or email. Also if you have any period correct equipment I would be interested in that as well.


I have not been able to find a good link for the CHP Museum. A couple of years ago they had a link on the main CHP page, but today that is a dead link. I had hear that they were trying to raise money a few years back to build a building to house the Museum, but never found out how that turned out. If anyone has good contact information for the CHP Museum, if you could please forward that on to me, that would be great.


Did someone say Polara? Here is yet another restoration that was done several years ago that I am updating and getting the car running right.

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/298725/fullsize/Polara%20004.jpg

Once again thanks for the great comments and please contact me if you have any information or equipment that woudl be period correct for this car.
Items need could be anything from pri-bar, traffic cones and such to radio equipment and lighting to Decals and such. Even could use a whip antenna hook for the antenna to be hooked to over the rear door.

[SB 405]

No need for the push bars with a hood like that.:lol:

aka,I'm sure you've seen this car before,yes?

http://www.highwaypatroltv.com/Maxwell2002/Les1.jpg

[Phil the Frenchy]

Hello Aka, nice to see you on this board.
Aka did a great job in restoring this CHP Vicky, I hope mine will be so nice.
Regarding the lettering "Safety and Service", I can tell it is correct according to different photos I saw.
The 1955 Buick is great; this cruiser gave me the idea to outfit my 1956 Buick Century as a Mass. SP cruiser; I sold it 1 year ago to buy the Vicky I own now.
BTW, how to put photos on this board ?

[16528]

My only question is the chrome molding on the bottom of your doors

http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/2258/chp909c6jr.jpg


This looks like what I remember...

Other than that great job on the restoration!!!!

[akabrek]

My only question is the chrome molding on the bottom of your doors

http://members.fortunecity.com/chpcars/chp909c.jpg


This looks like what I remember...

Other than that great job on the restoration!!!!


Yes , the Chrome is accurate for 91's The unit in the picture you showed is a 90 or earlier. 91's where the only year to have clear front markers and directionals.

Not a great example but the car furthest away has the lower chrome trim.

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/297237/fullsize/carb%20010.jpg

[Phil the Frenchy]

[quote=16528]My only question is the chrome molding on the bottom of your doors

Yes , the Chrome is accurate for 91's The unit in the picture you showed is a 90 or earlier. 91's where the only year to have clear front markers and directionals.

Not a great example but the car furthest away has the lower chrome trim.


In fact Ford changed the front grille and rear taillights on 1988; the large bottom trim changed on 1990 to a thinner one.

[akabrek]

In fact Ford changed the front grille and rear taillights on 1988; the large bottom trim changed on 1990 to a thinner one.

Correct, Ford gave the car a more rounded look in 88. The large chrome trim at the bottom of the doors was an option through out the run of the cars early 80's-91. The only year the CHP ordered the cars with this trim level seems to be for the 91 model year.