Piston52Heavy
Member
It sounds like his client needs a white cane! Obviously, this person was not paying attention! - The idiot was probably texting or talking on their cell. What bothers me, is that this person won the lawsuit.
MSP Charger...now with Bubble!
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It sounds like his client needs a white cane! Obviously, this person was not paying attention! - The idiot was probably texting or talking on their cell. What bothers me, is that this person won the lawsuit.
Piston52Heavy
Member
I think all emergency vehicles should have both red and blue lights. The blue lights stand out better at night against all of the tail/brake lights.
bigbluemsp
Member
All their "NEW" cars now run red/blue to rear as of 2002 and all their cars will be running with Blue to front starting with the new batch of cars in 2011.
May I ask you fellas a question?
I see the new cars still have the stop sign, does the MSP still pull along side of a car it wants to pull over and "flash" the stop sign?
.
I see the new cars still have the stop sign, does the MSP still pull along side of a car it wants to pull over and "flash" the stop sign?
.
bigbluemsp
Member
No.
It's used for the following reasons.
1) Tradition
2) Sitting on the side of the road or in someones driveway or on a scene.
Thats basically it.
Highly and I mean HIGHLY Collectable though
No.
It's used for the following reasons.
1) Tradition
2) Sitting on the side of the road or in someones driveway or on a scene.
Thats basically it.
Highly and I mean HIGHLY Collectable though
Thanks
7th_District
Member
Sober, BigBlue covered it. But I thought you might like to read a bit more about the topic.
The hood signs orginally were used for side stops. Back before patrol cars had rotating overheads, or even overhead lights at all, they were used to preform side stops. Troopers would chase down a suspect vehicle and pull along side of it. They would then activate the "Stop State Police" sign for the suspect driver to see. Then, if all went well, both vehicles would pull over onto the shoulder of the roadway.
The photos below are of a restored 1937 Ford MSP patrol car. The sign on the right fender illuminates. Prior to that the signs were clear and officers would light them up with the spot light for the suspect driver to see. Our current hood sign has been around for decades, but evolved of these earlier models.
We were still taught side stops in the academy, mainly the history of them, but we still go over them. Granted the hood signs are a tradition, but those of us working afternoons and nights still use them. I use mine just about every shift (when working nights). I mostly use it when I'm pulling into a complainant's driveway during hours of darkness. It's a nice low key way to let a complainant know who those headlights out in their driveway belong to.
From the color (1954), to the current hood sign (approx. 1949), to the single overhead light (approx. 1940), Michigan State Police patrol cars carry on a tradition. I know I'm biased, but I think they are some of the best looking patrol cars on the road.
1951 Chevy
1958 Chevy
1974 Plymouth
1992 Chevy; My first solo patrol car
2009 Dodge
The hood signs orginally were used for side stops. Back before patrol cars had rotating overheads, or even overhead lights at all, they were used to preform side stops. Troopers would chase down a suspect vehicle and pull along side of it. They would then activate the "Stop State Police" sign for the suspect driver to see. Then, if all went well, both vehicles would pull over onto the shoulder of the roadway.
The photos below are of a restored 1937 Ford MSP patrol car. The sign on the right fender illuminates. Prior to that the signs were clear and officers would light them up with the spot light for the suspect driver to see. Our current hood sign has been around for decades, but evolved of these earlier models.
We were still taught side stops in the academy, mainly the history of them, but we still go over them. Granted the hood signs are a tradition, but those of us working afternoons and nights still use them. I use mine just about every shift (when working nights). I mostly use it when I'm pulling into a complainant's driveway during hours of darkness. It's a nice low key way to let a complainant know who those headlights out in their driveway belong to.
From the color (1954), to the current hood sign (approx. 1949), to the single overhead light (approx. 1940), Michigan State Police patrol cars carry on a tradition. I know I'm biased, but I think they are some of the best looking patrol cars on the road.
1951 Chevy
1958 Chevy
1974 Plymouth
1992 Chevy; My first solo patrol car
2009 Dodge
TrenchFeeder
Member
Any department that doesn't get a V-8 is stupid. That's why I hate the new Ford interceptors. A V-6 with a twin turbo is going to be as reliable as a ladder on an ice sheet.
May I ask what the criteria is that you used to form this conclusion?
TrenchFeeder
Member
Well besides being my opinion.
I can say that when you add things to something, you have more things that can break.
Tell me you ever see souped up cars with turbos sitting in stop and go traffic for 8+ hours a day?
I've driven cars with turbos, I've driven cars with supers, and I've driven regular old simple cars, and in all cases the "souped" versions were nothing but a problem. Wont start in the cold, or the rain, or the heat, or the snow. Hit a big puddle and you stall out the motor possibly ruin it completely.
I just think a motor with two turbos on it is a EXTREMELY bad idea for police purposes. Sure having a few vehicles in the fleet that can catch a Ferrari is a good idea for some departments. However with a lot of departments complaining that they don't have enough money to keep officers on the streets, its just boggles my mind that everyone is so ready to drop the crown vic which costs no more than $30,000 for the fullest luxury package and even less for the interceptor version, then be ready to jump up and drop $45,000 for a fancy sports car that is only SLIGHTLY faster than a P71. If you ask me Ford is ripping off police all over the world and everybody is too impressed by the Taurus' shiny "features" none of which are anything new to police vehicles, instead of paying attention to what really matters, the durability and LONG TERM performance of the vehicle.
Anyway sorry to jack the thread had to just express myself. I am very passionate about my P71's
radioman2001
Member
Now for a little bit of my opinions, I havn't seen the test results on the new Tarus PI, but I can tell you that the same car has been used in the EU for almost 10 years. The Mondao which is the EU version was available starting in 2001 or 02. It is available with either a 4cyln or 6 cyln gas or petrol as they call it, but a 6 diesel was the most common that I saw. I doubt very highly that Ford is going to make a Turbo PD version of the Tarus any more expensive than say the Impala or Charger 6 cyln, they would loose too much business. Besides, they never gave in to requests to put the Mustang 5.0 version engine in the cars of the 80's or early 90's, why would they now take a sport engine and expect it to work in a PD enviroment, I don't see them doing it.
While the CV design is over 30 years old it did what it was supposed to do, be a tough, but not very fast car. (That's what the radio is for) Ford's were never the strongest when it came to speed or handling, even going back into 70's. The handling was terrible, just watch the movie "White Lightning" to see how those old boats handled.Their 460 cid, was a truck motor and really wasn't that fast, compared to a "T" or "U" Chrysler 440. Or if you were lucky you could get the "X" motor. Never saw one but have heard stories about them. Chevy on the other hand had some quick small block's, but I was never a fan of the 454, again another truck motor.
I was so impressed with the Mondeo that I bought the US version, a Ford 500, it has 100K on it and not a single problem, granted never been in PD service, but just the same a great car.(BTW been available since 2005 as an administrative PD car)
The Charger on the other had wowed me to the point that I bought a Hemi Police Interceptor version. The car is an animal, extremely fast and unbelievable handling. Going to be a tough act to follow even for the Holden.
To sum it up, the next few years are going to be interesting for police car manufacturers, the horsepower race is on again, just like the 60's!!!
Just for S and G's, my list of PD cars from over the years.
1970 Fury I 440 "T" motor former NYSP Troop F
1976 Gran Fury "U" motor bought new wrong rear axle ratio made it a dog.
1980 Gran Fury 360cid HP, bought new real fast handled OK, so fast I wrecked it twice.
1984 Baby Fury 318 cid a real dog, bought new
1985 Baby Fury 318 cid not much better former NYSP Troop T
1986 Baby Fury 318 cid not any better former NYSP Troop T
X2-1988 Crown Vic PD 302 cid, a dog, but decent handling bought both new from Atlanta dealer, who had over 600 cars in stock.
1990 Chevy Caprice 350 cid, a real fast car, but had numerous problems bought new off NJSP contract.
1991 Ford CVPI 5.8 great car, after motor rebuild with a better cam, former NYSP Troop T
1996 Ford CVPI 4.6 Engine went bad a second time, former NYSP Troop T
1996 Ford CVPI 4.6 Sold with 120K on it,wish I hadn't good car, former NYSP Troop T
1998 Ford CVPI 4.6 Engine went at 167K from blown oil cooler line,former NYSP Troop T
1998 Ford CVPI 4.6 Brother still using it in California, has 190K former NYSP Troop T
1999 Ford CVPI 4.6 current daily driver 161K
1999 Ford CVPI 4.6 Current alternate daily driver 131K
2009 Dodge Charger 5.7l Hemi Interceptor, just 10K on it but been a great car.
While the CV design is over 30 years old it did what it was supposed to do, be a tough, but not very fast car. (That's what the radio is for) Ford's were never the strongest when it came to speed or handling, even going back into 70's. The handling was terrible, just watch the movie "White Lightning" to see how those old boats handled.Their 460 cid, was a truck motor and really wasn't that fast, compared to a "T" or "U" Chrysler 440. Or if you were lucky you could get the "X" motor. Never saw one but have heard stories about them. Chevy on the other hand had some quick small block's, but I was never a fan of the 454, again another truck motor.
I was so impressed with the Mondeo that I bought the US version, a Ford 500, it has 100K on it and not a single problem, granted never been in PD service, but just the same a great car.(BTW been available since 2005 as an administrative PD car)
The Charger on the other had wowed me to the point that I bought a Hemi Police Interceptor version. The car is an animal, extremely fast and unbelievable handling. Going to be a tough act to follow even for the Holden.
To sum it up, the next few years are going to be interesting for police car manufacturers, the horsepower race is on again, just like the 60's!!!
Just for S and G's, my list of PD cars from over the years.
1970 Fury I 440 "T" motor former NYSP Troop F
1976 Gran Fury "U" motor bought new wrong rear axle ratio made it a dog.
1980 Gran Fury 360cid HP, bought new real fast handled OK, so fast I wrecked it twice.
1984 Baby Fury 318 cid a real dog, bought new
1985 Baby Fury 318 cid not much better former NYSP Troop T
1986 Baby Fury 318 cid not any better former NYSP Troop T
X2-1988 Crown Vic PD 302 cid, a dog, but decent handling bought both new from Atlanta dealer, who had over 600 cars in stock.
1990 Chevy Caprice 350 cid, a real fast car, but had numerous problems bought new off NJSP contract.
1991 Ford CVPI 5.8 great car, after motor rebuild with a better cam, former NYSP Troop T
1996 Ford CVPI 4.6 Engine went bad a second time, former NYSP Troop T
1996 Ford CVPI 4.6 Sold with 120K on it,wish I hadn't good car, former NYSP Troop T
1998 Ford CVPI 4.6 Engine went at 167K from blown oil cooler line,former NYSP Troop T
1998 Ford CVPI 4.6 Brother still using it in California, has 190K former NYSP Troop T
1999 Ford CVPI 4.6 current daily driver 161K
1999 Ford CVPI 4.6 Current alternate daily driver 131K
2009 Dodge Charger 5.7l Hemi Interceptor, just 10K on it but been a great car.
GTO_04
Member
Looks to me like Holden followed it very well!
Full Michigan State Police vehicle test results published - Detroit Autos | Examiner.com
That being said, I really like the looks of the new Charger, especially the SRT-8!
GTO_04
Thanks for the history 7th, I like that old 1974 Plymouth with the old fashoined gumball machine.
I guess you didnt read the thread... TRADITION?
to heck with tradition the bubble and the stop state police on the hood,is outdated, back in the day it was the thing, its cool to see on a restored car but with the new led bars you get many opinions in flash pattern and brightness, when florida highway patrol went to a mostly red bar i was not sure but after a current trip back home i did see the advanatage of the reds at night, i will say red and blue should be on all police vehicals, and i think i heard it was going to be manatory nation wide soon, to many states have different requirments, NYPD law is red and white, a fire dept in central florida is blue, some volunteer fire dept are blue lights some are red ,just my two cents, as far as cars, the ford crown vic was the work horse,the tahoe makes a great special services/supervisior vehical, also the tahoe was the only pursuit rated suv, dodge is fixing the brakes problems, ford and chevy are much easier to build into a patrol car, waiting a year in to the new models before i pick my best
7th_District
Member
The bubble is more aero then a light bar. It's been wind tunnel tested. Also the new overheads coming out of Lansing are LED and have two intensity settings. They only use 3 amps vs 30 amps for the old overhead. Also IIRC the update/retrofit is only about $230 per overhead, which is a lot cheaper then any new LED light bar would be.
Old light with LED in the background
New light w/o the lens cover
Video courtesy of BigBlueMSP
YouTube - MICHIGAN STATE POLICE L.E.D. BEACON (UNITY RV26 W/WHELEN LEDS)
With that said, reference the red signal overhead's effectiveness. I've been using it on the road now for the better part of two decades and I can assure you that the signal overhead works perfectly fine. I can see it miles (plural) away. I've never felt that I needed more. Never once did I feel that I was sacrificing for tradition or compromising officer safety.
7th_District
Member
That's a neat collection of cars that you've had over the years. I always really liked the '70-'72 Dodge Polara & Plymouth Fury police cars. I know that C-Body ran from '69 thru '73, but in my opinion the '70 thru '72 are the best looking.
Talking about LEDs and snow, I noticed when plowing snow for the City of Philadelphia all of their new LED traffic signals were covered with snow. The LEDs don't generate any heat to melt the snow..
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