Highlights
- Genuine P71 spec Ford Police Interceptor with all factory upgrades
- Ex Decatur County Sheriffs Department car from Tennessee
- Original spotlight, bull bar and prisoner cage
- 4.6 Modular V8 as found in the Mustang
The Appeal
The Ford Panther Platform ran for many years - from 1979 until 2011 - with many variations from taxi cab to Lincoln Town Car limousine, but perhaps the most iconic and sought after is the P71 spec Police Interceptor, the name coming from the 3 digits in the middle of the VIN that tell the world this is the full fat, tough as old boots, stripped out high performance cop car - a truck chassis with a muscle car motor clothed in a sedan body.
These are utilitarian cars, with a wipe clean vinyl rear seats, rubber floor covering and few creature comforts, but comfortable to the bone as they are designed to be an officer’s office for a full 8 hour shift, perhaps almost all in the car. These are an iconic piece of Americana, the background to every movie and TV show set in the US, built for a specific purpose and so well many police departments bought back used cars after they were discontinued, and thousands have lived on as taxis driving 4 or 500,000 miles easily, but now just over decade after the last was built in Ontario, their numbers are falling rapidly as time, hard use and endless destruction by film productions thin the numbers of the timeless Crown Vic, and the days of thousand dollar bargains are over as the good ones are becoming cherished pieces of history, but ones that are easy to live with and enjoy still.
These are utilitarian cars, with a wipe clean vinyl rear seats, rubber floor covering and few creature comforts, but comfortable to the bone as they are designed to be an officer’s office for a full 8 hour shift, perhaps almost all in the car. These are an iconic piece of Americana, the background to every movie and TV show set in the US, built for a specific purpose and so well many police departments bought back used cars after they were discontinued, and thousands have lived on as taxis driving 4 or 500,000 miles easily, but now just over decade after the last was built in Ontario, their numbers are falling rapidly as time, hard use and endless destruction by film productions thin the numbers of the timeless Crown Vic, and the days of thousand dollar bargains are over as the good ones are becoming cherished pieces of history, but ones that are easy to live with and enjoy still.
The History and Paperwork
- Built in Ontario, Canada in 2008
- Run from new by Decatur County Sheriffs Department, close to Nashville
- Dry state car from Tennessee
- UK owner who purchased himself in the US but was registered by a friend due to US regulations
- Bought by British owner to use while road tripping in America
- Lights converted for UK spec in New York before shipping to Southampton
- All Nova documents and import paperwork complete
- Just passed 2nd UK MOT
The Interior
- P71 Cop spec interior
- Fabric front seats with slight wear to drivers bolster
- Stab proof kevlar inserts in front seat backs
- Wipe clean vinyl rear seats
- Rubber floor covering
- Centre console/arm rest installed by Police garage with siren controls
- Prisoner partition fitted by Police department
- Post 2003/4 update so updated instruments with idle hour counter
- Some screw holes in dash from removed equipment
- Hard to find Trunk Pack in boot designed to protect the fuel tank in rear collisions
- Overall interior condition very good
- Instrument cluster rebuilt
- Rear door interior handle rods refitted so doors work from inside
The Exterior
- Very straight panel work around the car
- Recent full Black and White vinyl wrap to look as it did in service
- All white car under the wrap
- Recent Police spec Cooper CSS tyres with very good tread
- Side turn signals added
- Go Rhino wrap around bull bar
- ‘Unity’ driver’s A pillar spotlight
- Police antennas fitted
- ‘Police Interceptor’ boot badge
- Desirable chrome dog dish hub caps
- New headlights, front side markers and tail lights with amber turn signals
The Mechanics
- New catalytic converters and O2 sensors
- New serpentine belt and oil pressure sender
- New tie rod end and upper control arm
- New oil cooler lines and oil filter base gasket
- New wiper control uit
- As a Police vehicle, in service will have been maintained to very high level
Summary
A rare sight in the UK and guaranteed to draw attention, this is a marvel of engineering as well as an icon of the American roads, but also an easy car to enjoy with its smooth and powerful 4.6 litre V8, rear wheel drive and huge boot…sorry, trunk
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
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