In The Name Of The Law...

[Guest YellowJacket894]

I see those commericials from time to time. You know, the commericials promising that if you buy a car from Police Auctions and so forth, you can get a car from $500 bucks and up.

Now, I don't know if I would go that route, but the word "police" got me thinking about a car...to be more specific, a 1994 - 1996 Chevy Caprice 9C1. The same car that Johnny Law used (and is still using somewhere) to write John Public a speeding ticket.

Why the 9C1? Well, truth is, I'd settle for a Classic from that year range. And God knows I'd be happy with an Impala SS. Who wouldn't? I guess I'm singling out the 9C1 is because it has a heavy-duty suspension along with engine and tranny tweaks. It could make for one bad assed ride. Plus, the place that had the first-generation Firebird I wanted has sold it (a '68...and they even sold the '69 I was considering to fall back on in such an occasion, the dumb bastards). Add to that I'm insisting on a rear-drive car, and this is where the 9C1 comes in.

Of course, if I found a 9C1, it would get some modifications. A nice, decent wheel and rim combo, jet black paint, and an Impala SS grille. And, hey, why not a jet black leather interior to go along with it if I manage to avoid the blue interior option (highly unlikely, I'd suppose). I would probably retune the Computer Management and do some very, very mild engine tweaks. And after that I would leave it alone and just...well...drive it.

I've looked in old Muscle, Classic, & Sports Car Traders (yeech...that was a mouthful) and eBay Motors at prices on these things and I'm seeing that they're going for around $3,000 to $5,000. I don't think that's a hefty sum to pay, do you?

And I guess I have to ask, would it be a worthy investment? I'm finding a few low-mileage examples here and there, and I would try to go for one of those. And I don't think insurance would bite me in the ass, would it?

Well, thanks for riding along during my pondering and (hopefully) answering those two questions I presented at the last. I'll be quitting the odd jobs I've been doing (I've only managed to get close to $500 dollars for a down payment in the old savings account at the local Bank & Trust...can you believe that?) come this October and probably busting my ass at Ace Hardware, Advance Auto, or Blockbuster. The loan for $10,000 (or should I say $10,500... ) I was hoping for isn't going to happen...unless I save every penny I make working 20 hours every two weeks for minimum wage. Even then, at making around a steady $150 bucks, I should actually be clipping close to $1,000 in three months time or so. Around February, after soldiering on with a loaner car, this is going to be a serious thought for me.

As I said before, thanks.

Edited June 27, 2006 by YellowJacket894

[Flybrian]

Slightly related to this is this venue for used police cars...

CopCarsOnline

Seems very reptuable and the vehicles come out very clean. They have many surprisingly low-mileage examples, too. I'm going to check them out soon because they're in my town.

[Guest YellowJacket894]

Nice site, Fly. It's a good option if I decide to take the B4C Camaro option (which I am also considering), but I'm finding very few Caprices there.

[Sixty8panther]

Do it man!

The heavy duty suspension is awsome, these cars

are designed to be able to be driven over curb

stones & through dirt roads at WOT, they stand the

test of time. A 9C1 is something I will own before

they become "collector's items".

[capriceman]

I think you know my opinion on this Go For It!!!!

Very sturdy low maintainace low cost (except Gas) Cars. they have enough power to do burnouts down the street.

[Guest YellowJacket894]

Word to the wise? Try to find a detectives car and not a patrol car. They have fewer miles, aren't beat on as hard and don't have as many holes drilled in them to mount equipment.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nice suggestion. Thanks. I'll keep this in mind.

The heavy duty suspension is awsome, these cars

are designed to be able to be driven over curb

stones & through dirt roads at WOT, they stand the

test of time.

Very sturdy low maintainace low cost (except Gas) Cars. they have enough power to do burnouts down the street.

Durable and reliable. What's not to like?

And I think everyone here knows another benefit of Caprice ownership, mainly involving the backseat... :AH-HA_wink:

Edited June 27, 2006 by YellowJacket894

[capriceman]

Cop seats are cheap tho somtimes hard and have rough Carpet. But My 91 and my current 90 have enough room for 2 people to get it on if you know what i mean.....

[Guest YellowJacket894]

Cop seats are cheap tho somtimes hard and have rough Carpet. But My 91 and my current 90 have enough room for 2 people to get it on if you know what i mean.....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That reminds me of a 9C1 I found on eBay Motors. Well, I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

(Okay, the wise guy decided to use Flash on this, so click the link.)

Caprice 9C1 @ eBay Motors

*Spoiler: Yes, that's cloth in the front, vinyl in the rear.

Edited June 27, 2006 by YellowJacket894

[Guest YellowJacket894]

It's not a 9C1, but, damn. Under 10,000 miles, too. Yes. You read right. Under 10,000 miles on the original hardware.

Caprice Classic @ eBay Motors

But to do what I want to would be like sticking a basket handle spoiler on a '70 Chevelle SS454.

[Dsuupr]

Been there, done that, sold it too our friend who is still in love with the car (19 years old making a Caprice the perfect abuse car).

Great choice that I think you'll have little problems with. The catch, we've looked hard and wide and even beaten and as a K-9 unit, they go for more than $2500. But if you really do want one, look at teh K-9 units, they tend to save you $1000 or more and it's not that hard to convert it back to a "normal" vehicle.

[mightymouse]

These are very good cars, I want one.... check this one

They can swallow big blocks, bolt in, new crossmember...

If someone barfs in back, hose it out!

I wish I could find a nice one

[Guest YellowJacket894]

Thanks a bunch for fueling my lust, mightymouse.

I've made up my mind. Any Caprice (preferably the 9C1) is the car I want.

I pretty much want mine to come out playing a tune to this result:

(You can't see it from the following angle, but the digital speedometer is the &#036;h&#33;:)

More Photos Here

Edited June 28, 2006 by YellowJacket894