1982 Ford Mustang SSP EVOC CHP Prototype - Mecum

[83GTTops]

Story - from Site

In 1982, the California Highway Patrol commissioned the Ford Motor Company to come up with a faster, lighter, more compact police vehicle than the traditionally bulky and cumbersome Crown Victorias previously in service. Ford’s solution was to take the 5.0L Fox Body Mustang and modify it for police work. The result was the Mustang SSP (Special Service Package). Some of the many upgrades made to the SSP Mustang included an engine and transmission cooler, reinforced floor pans, racing-style silicone radiator hoses and clamps, 130- and 135-amp internally and externally regulated heavy-duty alternators, a calibrated 140 MPH speedometer, non-operational courtesy lights and, in some jurisdictions, a roll cage.
This 1982 Ford Mustang SSP is a very special example in that it was the first Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (EVOC) car and a prototype vehicle used for research and development for the California Highway Patrol’s 406-unit order of first-generation Mustang SSPs. After its initial use as a prototype test vehicle, this Mustang SSP was then put in service as one of just five Mustangs used in the CHP’s EVOC training course. As a research and development car, its antenna is located on the passenger side as opposed to the standard CHP patrol cars, which had the antenna on the driver’s side.


https://www.mecum.com/lots/1107690/1...aa_id=537796-0

[85GTGuy]

That's real cool that it was one of the R&D prototypes for the CHP patrol cars. I'm sure there are multiple examples of their actual production patrol cars that are out there.... but for this to factually be one of the 5 that was used as a test vehicle.... that makes it super rare, I would guess.

[gr79]

Cool another one to restudy next time at a show. Overlooked a few details unaware of their existance.
130- and 135-amp internally and externally regulated heavy-duty alternators. External AND internal never heard of that.
Antenna on passenger side as opposed to standard CHP patrol car's antenna on the driver’s side (on the ds rear trunk area)?

[85GTGuy]

130- and 135-amp internally and externally regulated heavy-duty alternators. External AND internal never heard of that.

I wonder if that was just them awkwardly trying to say that the Stangs had available a 130 amp internally regulated one OR a 135 amp externally regulated one, not one that was regulated both ways. Dunno?

[KCoker]

This car is in the Mustang Museum in Odenville Al. With a bunch of SSP cars if you want to look at it up close.

https://mustangmuseumofamerica.com/

[83GTTops]

This car is in the Mustang Museum in Odenville Al. With a bunch of SSP cars if you want to look at it up close.

https://mustangmuseumofamerica.com/

That is cool!

Also, this is the first I have seen of a GT SSP car? Usually they are non GT.

[FoxChassis]

That is cool!

Also, this is the first I have seen of a GT SSP car? Usually they are non GT.

That is not an SSP.

[wraithracing]

That is cool!

Also, this is the first I have seen of a GT SSP car? Usually they are non GT.

More than likely either a drug bust recovered vehicle or some other crime the vehicle was involved in and the govt/police department seized the vehicle and ultimately kept it and made it into that. A lot of the D.A.R.E. vehicles back in the 80's/90's started out that way. Cool Cop Car either way.

[85GTGuy]

More than likely either a drug bust recovered vehicle or some other crime the vehicle was involved in and the govt/police department seized the vehicle and ultimately kept it and made it into that.

Exactly. According to Mustang Museum of America's website, that car "was confiscated by the NYPD for excessive street racing and then converted to a NYPD police vehicle".

[85GTGuy]

130- and 135-amp internally and externally regulated heavy-duty alternators. External AND internal never heard of that.

I wonder if that was just them awkwardly trying to say that the Stangs had available a 130 amp internally regulated one OR a 135 amp externally regulated one, not one that was regulated both ways. Dunno?

Came across something that may shed some light on the "internally and externally regulated heavy duty alternators" blurb from post #1.

In reading at the specialservicemustang.net site, they mention how the FHP Stangs had the Lestek alternators (with an external voltage regulator) from 1988 through 1991, and then had an upgraded Motorcraft alternator (with an internal voltage regulator) on 1992 and 1993 models. No mention of the amp ratings though.

[qikgts]

I saw this car last month at the Mecum auction in Kissimmee. It's a neat piece of history for sure.

The fact that this is the original prototype for the entire SSP Mustang platform makes it not only unique but historically significant.

I didn't see what it was bid up to but it shows "Bid Goes On" on the Mecum site for the lot number so I don't think it sold. It was estimated to sell for between $100,000 and $125,000.

Because it was in service for so long many original parts were discarded or wore out. Obvious stuff like the dual exhaust, newer aftermarket radio, some of the side molding, battery cables... Some of what stayed surprisingly were the onion heads and Motorcaft carb. I did notice some hokey wiring done with t-taps. Also saw it had, what looked similar to the stock tube style manifolds on my '85, but these looked a little smaller. Not even sure if the '82's had those originally or a cast manifold.

Mecum pics at the link below are pretty much what I saw in person.

https://www.mecum.com/lots/1107690/

[KevinK]

Came across something that may shed some light on the "internally and externally regulated heavy duty alternators" blurb from post #1.

In reading at the specialservicemustang.net site, they mention how the FHP Stangs had the Lestek alternators (with an external voltage regulator) from 1988 through 1991, and then had an upgraded Motorcraft alternator (with an internal voltage regulator) on 1992 and 1993 models. No mention of the amp ratings though.

I have seen mention of the Lestek alternators used on the ASC vert conversions (87-90). Definitely higher output. Not sure why it was needed. It sounds like Ford integrated the Lestek somehow. I should check the MPC.