Mopar Squads and More!
About this Mopar:
Welcome to Chase HQ your one-stop shop for classic cop cars from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Inside you'll find my collection of classic Mopar, Bow-Tie, and Blue Oval police cars as well as those of my friends and fellow police car enthusiasts. As a founding member and group coordinator for the Michigan Police Car Collectors, my passion for preserving the automotive history of law enforcement is boundless.
In the 1970s and 80s, Mopar squads were the toughest, fastest, and most recognizable cars on the roads. They were immortalized on TV and in Film and captured the imagination of countless youths who would grow up to become the next generation of racers, motorists, scofflaws, and law enforcement professionals.
Even as America's auto industry reeled in turmoil, the Chrysler moniker was worn with pride by an entire nation of police officers, sheriffs, and troopers. Cars like my 1980 Dodge St. Regis A38 Police covered billions of miles, served millions of citizens, and dominated America's highways from sea to shining sea.
After a career of hard miles, noble service, and absorbing more pain and punishment in 5 years than a normal car takes in 50, most of them found retirement in hands of those of us needing budget transportation. From there, they were left to rust, cannibalized for their special parts, or sent to the crusher. Now, with so few of these retired street soldiers left, each restored squad represents a small piece of American history.
So join me on a tour and let's keep America's classic cop cars tuned up and ready to inspire the next generation. I hope you enjoy your visit!
My 1980 Dodge St. Regis A38 Police Pursuit: Rescuing a Battle-weary Veteran
Like all police cars, my 1980 Dodge St. Regis has its own inspiring story: In 2008, while transferring from my former base in Charleston, South Carolina to my new command at Norfolk Naval Station, I dropped in to visit my relatives in North Carolina. While there, I read an ad in the local paper advertising a used 1980 Dodge St. Regis "former police car". Having my 1988 Ford LTD in tow meant that I wasn't exactly in the market for another project. However, knowing that the car was in nearby Chapel Hill, NC was enough to motivate me to take a look. The gentleman that owned it was the 3rd owner and advised me that, originally, it has been a marked Henry County, VA Sheriffs patrol unit along the Carolina border. He had purchased the car 10 years earlier from the 2nd owner who bought the car at public auction sometime in 1988 when it was retired with over 100,000 miles on the clock.
Woodward Dream Cruise 2015
At first glance, it was a rather sorry looking sight. Flat tires, body damage, and a listing suspension. However, upon further inspection I became more impressed because the car still had a rust-free undercarriage. Being from Michigan, the land of water and rust, I'm not used to seeing such things. Of course, by then the car was nearly 30-years old, had amassed 200,000 miles, and looked like she'd fallen on hard times. A recent thunderstorm had brought down a tree limb which had crushed a section of the left rear quarter. The roof was also filled with holes and I was convinced that pretty soon water damage would take the car past the point of no return. The buyer was motivated to sell and I was intrigued by the idea. I opened the hood and checked the stamped tag on the radiator support brace which read: A38 POLICE....Yep, the real McCoy!
My Dodge St. Regis on www.allpar.com
Now I was very intrigued. However, I had a schedule to meet and nowhere on my trailer to stow another car. When I asked him if the car still ran, the owner commented that he had been driving it occasionally before the storm and that it had run great. The battery was dead when I keyed the ignition so I sat inside the car while the owner went to fetch another battery. Soon, I noticed how comfortable the driving position was and how much I liked the tan interior trim. Still though, I wasn't convinced. That was until the owner put in the new battery and I turned the key again. It fired right up and I realized something immediately...the engine was flawless! Smooth and stout with a powerful engine note. This car still had the beating heart of a champion!
It was like some extraordinary transformation was taking place before me. This grizzled, old veteran was singing its heart out as if she were making her last stand. I could almost hear the car telling me that it wanted to be saved. SOLD! I made a withdrawal at a nearby bank and paid up on the spot. So, after purchasing the car, I dropped off my Ford at my Uncle's house and trailered the Dodge to my new base housing in Virginia. I then spent the next two years and nearly every minute I was not on-duty standing watch whipping the old Dodge into patrol shape and getting her back into uniform. Today, after a dozen years, a few spent paychecks, thousands of miles, and over 100 car shows around the country, Unit #11 (a.k.a SNAKE EYES) is the jewel of my fleet and a proud Mopar police survivor!
Grosse Pointe Shores Yacht Club, 2019
CHECK UNDER THE HOOD:
Cop Motor? Check. Cop Tires? Check. Cop suspension and shocks? You better believe it! In 1980, the Dodge St. Regis A38 Police pursuit was the fastest and most powerful full-size sedan in America. It was also the 2nd fastest car produced that year. Not the 2nd fastest police car, but the 2nd fastest car: FULL STOP! Only the Corvette could best the top speed of this Mopar squad. In case you're wondering, here are the specifications:
Engine: E58 360ci V8-4bbl "Hi-Performance" with Dual Exhaust
Transmission: Torqueflite 727 3-spd automatic with lockup converter
Axle: 9.25" open axle with 2.94 ratio
After reaching out to the New Mexico State Police Troopers Association, I had the good fortune to be contacted by current and retired officers who provided me with invaluable information and allowed me to procure the necessary materials to complete my restoration. Special thanks to retired Trooper Sgt. Ronald Taylor for authentic markings and plates. They even featured the car in an article of their Troopers Magazine in 2009.
Here is the actual car in service with the NMSP.
After a series of emails, phone calls, and pen-pal letters, Sgt. Taylor kindly provided me with a photo of his patrol car sitting in his driveway in the early 1980s. This photo served as the basis for my restoration and was invaluable for capturing the details unique to every 1980 Dodge St. Regis used by the New Mexico State Police.
Restoring a Mopar Squad
Let's face the facts....police cars are cool! More than that, since the 1960s, Mopar squads were king of the hill and favored within the law enforcement community for over 20 years. Although finding restorable cars and their factory correct parts can be a real challenge, the rewards are fantastic!
First, classic Mopar squads cost a fraction to restore compared to classic muscle cars. True, finding parts is difficult, but you can often create a show-winner for less than $10,000. They are popular with adults and kids of all ages, suitably rare, historically unique, and will always turn heads at local car shows and civic events. On the downside, you can expect to lose money on almost any squad car project. Understandably, demand for these cars is not high and resale tends to suffer. That being said, having restored five classic squad cars since 2002, I have received an enormous amount of return by indulging my passion for police cars and so can you!
My 1980 Dodge St. Regis (New Mexico State Police Unit #11) along side my 1990 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 (Montana Highway Patrol Unit #90)
HAVING FUN WITH A MOPAR SQUAD
Preserving a historic police car can be fun and rewarding.
Of course, the real fun comes from displaying and driving them in car show, parades, public fundraisers, and civic events.
Then again, never doubt the star power of classic police cars. Sometimes they can open doors in ways you don't expect! On this day, I was on my way home from a car show when I spotted Doc Brown's DeLorean turning into a concert venue. I followed in behind and the organizers stopped us and asked if our cars were part of the show because the band was 80s themed. Not knowing what to say, I told the security crew that we had been asked to show up, but that we didn't know where to go....So they put us right in front of the stage next to the Ghostbusters Ecto-1 and other 80's celebrity cars! Great seats, great show!
And what better way to celebrate the Christmas season then with more festive colored lights!
Illuminations: Federal Signal model 11 Twin-beacon "Visibar", 100W widemouth siren speaker, 6-inch PAR46 Amber lamp (rear flasher),
KEEPING AN OLD MOPAR SQUAD READY FOR ACTION
Police cars are built to be rugged and reliable. They have to endure some of the hardest driving on the roads including hours of idling, wide-open acceleration, violent braking, and high-speed running. Mopar squads were known for being some of the toughest cars built for their time. However, even the toughest veteran can break down after a 40-year long career. Some of the big Dodge's components and electronics were of dubious quality even when they were new. As a result, I've had stalling issues, carb problems, vacuum leaks, brake problems, electrical faults, popped radiators, blown hoses, damaged belts, bad wiring, worn tires, broken wipers, bad switches, exhaust leaks, transmission slips, oil leaks, and dead batteries. When it comes to keeping my Mopar on the road, it sure helps having a great mechanic!
My friend Eric is an ASE certified mechanic and a huge Mopar fan. I introduced him to the concept of restoring classic police cars in 2017 and he found the experience to be so enjoyable that he insisted that I help him find and restore his own classic Mopar squad...which, of course, I was only too happy to do!
Woodward Dream Cruise, 2019
Today, Eric is the proud owner of this flawless 1984 Plymouth Gran Fury A38 Police used by the Gaylord Post of the Michigan State Police. He spent over a year agonizing over every detail and brilliantly restored this beautiful "Blue Goose" back to its former glory. Now the adventure continues!
In the 1970s and 80s, Mopar squads were the toughest, fastest, and most recognizable cars on the roads. They were immortalized on TV and in Film and captured the imagination of countless youths who would grow up to become the next generation of racers, motorists, scofflaws, and law enforcement professionals.
Even as America's auto industry reeled in turmoil, the Chrysler moniker was worn with pride by an entire nation of police officers, sheriffs, and troopers. Cars like my 1980 Dodge St. Regis A38 Police covered billions of miles, served millions of citizens, and dominated America's highways from sea to shining sea.
After a career of hard miles, noble service, and absorbing more pain and punishment in 5 years than a normal car takes in 50, most of them found retirement in hands of those of us needing budget transportation. From there, they were left to rust, cannibalized for their special parts, or sent to the crusher. Now, with so few of these retired street soldiers left, each restored squad represents a small piece of American history.
So join me on a tour and let's keep America's classic cop cars tuned up and ready to inspire the next generation. I hope you enjoy your visit!
My 1980 Dodge St. Regis A38 Police Pursuit: Rescuing a Battle-weary Veteran
Like all police cars, my 1980 Dodge St. Regis has its own inspiring story: In 2008, while transferring from my former base in Charleston, South Carolina to my new command at Norfolk Naval Station, I dropped in to visit my relatives in North Carolina. While there, I read an ad in the local paper advertising a used 1980 Dodge St. Regis "former police car". Having my 1988 Ford LTD in tow meant that I wasn't exactly in the market for another project. However, knowing that the car was in nearby Chapel Hill, NC was enough to motivate me to take a look. The gentleman that owned it was the 3rd owner and advised me that, originally, it has been a marked Henry County, VA Sheriffs patrol unit along the Carolina border. He had purchased the car 10 years earlier from the 2nd owner who bought the car at public auction sometime in 1988 when it was retired with over 100,000 miles on the clock.
At first glance, it was a rather sorry looking sight. Flat tires, body damage, and a listing suspension. However, upon further inspection I became more impressed because the car still had a rust-free undercarriage. Being from Michigan, the land of water and rust, I'm not used to seeing such things. Of course, by then the car was nearly 30-years old, had amassed 200,000 miles, and looked like she'd fallen on hard times. A recent thunderstorm had brought down a tree limb which had crushed a section of the left rear quarter. The roof was also filled with holes and I was convinced that pretty soon water damage would take the car past the point of no return. The buyer was motivated to sell and I was intrigued by the idea. I opened the hood and checked the stamped tag on the radiator support brace which read: A38 POLICE....Yep, the real McCoy!
Now I was very intrigued. However, I had a schedule to meet and nowhere on my trailer to stow another car. When I asked him if the car still ran, the owner commented that he had been driving it occasionally before the storm and that it had run great. The battery was dead when I keyed the ignition so I sat inside the car while the owner went to fetch another battery. Soon, I noticed how comfortable the driving position was and how much I liked the tan interior trim. Still though, I wasn't convinced. That was until the owner put in the new battery and I turned the key again. It fired right up and I realized something immediately...the engine was flawless! Smooth and stout with a powerful engine note. This car still had the beating heart of a champion!
It was like some extraordinary transformation was taking place before me. This grizzled, old veteran was singing its heart out as if she were making her last stand. I could almost hear the car telling me that it wanted to be saved. SOLD! I made a withdrawal at a nearby bank and paid up on the spot. So, after purchasing the car, I dropped off my Ford at my Uncle's house and trailered the Dodge to my new base housing in Virginia. I then spent the next two years and nearly every minute I was not on-duty standing watch whipping the old Dodge into patrol shape and getting her back into uniform. Today, after a dozen years, a few spent paychecks, thousands of miles, and over 100 car shows around the country, Unit #11 (a.k.a SNAKE EYES) is the jewel of my fleet and a proud Mopar police survivor!
CHECK UNDER THE HOOD:
Cop Motor? Check. Cop Tires? Check. Cop suspension and shocks? You better believe it! In 1980, the Dodge St. Regis A38 Police pursuit was the fastest and most powerful full-size sedan in America. It was also the 2nd fastest car produced that year. Not the 2nd fastest police car, but the 2nd fastest car: FULL STOP! Only the Corvette could best the top speed of this Mopar squad. In case you're wondering, here are the specifications:
Engine: E58 360ci V8-4bbl "Hi-Performance" with Dual Exhaust
Transmission: Torqueflite 727 3-spd automatic with lockup converter
Axle: 9.25" open axle with 2.94 ratio
Engine modifications include replacing the troubled "Lean-Burn" with Mopar's "electronic ignition" and replacing the Carter Thermoquad with its warp-prone phenolic plastic body for an Edelbrock 600cfm 4-bbl unit. However, this is still a factory A/C car with nearly 250,000 miles on the original engine. Mopar squads are famed for their reliability and bullet-proof drivetrains. Here are the performance specs:
Net HP and Torque: 185HP, 290lb-ft
Top Speed: 123MPH
1/4 Mile: 17.3 sec @82MPH (Recorded at Virginia Motorsport Park, 2009)
TAKE A LOOK INSIDE:Net HP and Torque: 185HP, 290lb-ft
Top Speed: 123MPH
1/4 Mile: 17.3 sec @82MPH (Recorded at Virginia Motorsport Park, 2009)
It's all here! Everything you'd expect and maybe a few things you didn't! For example, check out the 8-track player. Features "A Briefcase Full of Blues" by the Blues Brothers. Inside, you can see the utilitarian dash layout of the Dodge St. Regis and period police equipment: PA20 Interceptor Siren Controller, Motorola radio, Pro-Gard shotgun rack, and MPH Industries K-55 Radar unit
New Mexico State Police Troopers Association
After reaching out to the New Mexico State Police Troopers Association, I had the good fortune to be contacted by current and retired officers who provided me with invaluable information and allowed me to procure the necessary materials to complete my restoration. Special thanks to retired Trooper Sgt. Ronald Taylor for authentic markings and plates. They even featured the car in an article of their Troopers Magazine in 2009.
After a series of emails, phone calls, and pen-pal letters, Sgt. Taylor kindly provided me with a photo of his patrol car sitting in his driveway in the early 1980s. This photo served as the basis for my restoration and was invaluable for capturing the details unique to every 1980 Dodge St. Regis used by the New Mexico State Police.
Restoring a Mopar Squad
Let's face the facts....police cars are cool! More than that, since the 1960s, Mopar squads were king of the hill and favored within the law enforcement community for over 20 years. Although finding restorable cars and their factory correct parts can be a real challenge, the rewards are fantastic!
First, classic Mopar squads cost a fraction to restore compared to classic muscle cars. True, finding parts is difficult, but you can often create a show-winner for less than $10,000. They are popular with adults and kids of all ages, suitably rare, historically unique, and will always turn heads at local car shows and civic events. On the downside, you can expect to lose money on almost any squad car project. Understandably, demand for these cars is not high and resale tends to suffer. That being said, having restored five classic squad cars since 2002, I have received an enormous amount of return by indulging my passion for police cars and so can you!
HAVING FUN WITH A MOPAR SQUAD
Preserving a historic police car can be fun and rewarding.
Of course, the real fun comes from displaying and driving them in car show, parades, public fundraisers, and civic events.
And what better way to celebrate the Christmas season then with more festive colored lights!
Illuminations: Federal Signal model 11 Twin-beacon "Visibar", 100W widemouth siren speaker, 6-inch PAR46 Amber lamp (rear flasher),
KEEPING AN OLD MOPAR SQUAD READY FOR ACTION
Police cars are built to be rugged and reliable. They have to endure some of the hardest driving on the roads including hours of idling, wide-open acceleration, violent braking, and high-speed running. Mopar squads were known for being some of the toughest cars built for their time. However, even the toughest veteran can break down after a 40-year long career. Some of the big Dodge's components and electronics were of dubious quality even when they were new. As a result, I've had stalling issues, carb problems, vacuum leaks, brake problems, electrical faults, popped radiators, blown hoses, damaged belts, bad wiring, worn tires, broken wipers, bad switches, exhaust leaks, transmission slips, oil leaks, and dead batteries. When it comes to keeping my Mopar on the road, it sure helps having a great mechanic!
My friend Eric is an ASE certified mechanic and a huge Mopar fan. I introduced him to the concept of restoring classic police cars in 2017 and he found the experience to be so enjoyable that he insisted that I help him find and restore his own classic Mopar squad...which, of course, I was only too happy to do!
Today, Eric is the proud owner of this flawless 1984 Plymouth Gran Fury A38 Police used by the Gaylord Post of the Michigan State Police. He spent over a year agonizing over every detail and brilliantly restored this beautiful "Blue Goose" back to its former glory. Now the adventure continues!
