CHP Southern gets its first Ford Interceptor Utility Vehicle
- Thread starter LAflyer
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The CHP lastnight already smashed up one of their new interceptor SUV's last night in Studio City chasing somebody
bear780ks
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OUCH.. I bet the big Guy over that Area wasn't to pleased but i guess that is why there is Insurance! Hope the Trooper in the SUV came out OK.!
One of the things that I'll mention, hopefully not stepping on any toes, is that the front fascia of the Explorer is one big piece, and it's plastic, which is why they're going to get the wrap-around pushbars. I won't say *exactly* how much that piece is, but it's EXPENSIVE.
code3cowboy
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I saw one with a lightbar on the 101 in Moorpark Wednesday.
At this point, there's no plan for any of them to be slicktops. With the LED-X bar, there's really not much aerodynamic loss.
scottyhetzel
Member
A study concluded that the average person could identify the light br within 300 feet. Plus the light bar gives extra safety. The old cameros were hard to spot...mostly used for commercial detail.
When we were out with the two PIOs, they were telling us they had to go to a meeting out in Rancho Cucamonga, about a 50 mile drive for them from the Southern Division office.
They counted 11 people go in and out of the carpool lane illegally right in front of them. And guys on the road say people blow right past them not realizing they're a CHP unit.
And those Camaros... West LA wrecked theirs on THE FIRST DAY they had it. They handed guys who normally drove big pickup trucks, the keys to a RS Camaro, and bad things happened.
scottyhetzel
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The CHP will be handing out A LOT of souvenirs for awhile until people learn the head lights. I remember when the old mustang 5.0 LX came up on me on the 210. Those vehicles were really hard to see. Especially at dusk. A lot of units ran with out radar to be extra low profile. Still their pen could not write fast enough.
And that might take awhile, seeing as unlike the Crown Vic, which was basically only used by cops, taxis and Bob and Edna from Boca, there are a LOT of Explorers on the road.
Ventura County Sheriff has has them for about 8 months.
scottyhetzel
Member
What kind of light bar on that Ventura Co. vehicle. The light bar is extra low profile, it must be a federal signal. Venture vehicles look really nice. I would love to see the rear facing... I know it is too much to ask.
Is it an Interceptor, or a Explorer? There actually are differences, the Interceptor has a lowered suspension, different rear door hinges, heavy duty brakes. Just looking at it, I think this may just be an Explorer. I've seen it too, they also have at least one Caprice that I've been trying to catch a shot of for months.
scottyhetzel
Member
Federal Signal Valor
Thanks chris !
scottyhetzel
Member
Why would the rer door hinges be different ?
I am not sure, It is a Supervisors unit. Has the Interceptor badge on the left of the rear hatch, and is missing all the standard "Explorer" badging/branding a normal one would come with. I will ask a friend at General Services/Motor Pool on Tuesday.
I do not like the way the Caprice looks with the graphics. Looks too slanted.
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scottyhetzel
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I saw a slick top chp interceptor in el centro office on hwy 78 south bound past the border check point. Had someone pulled over. I thought they only had light bar models.... I was wrong.
scottyhetzel
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I like the L.E.D. Spot lights.....
The Ford website says that the rear door hinges on the Interceptor open wider to facilitate putting prisoners into the vehicle.
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