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The 1998-2003 Ford Crown Victoria
Police Interceptor is the only
remnant of the days when titanic
rear-wheel-drive cop cars ruled the
interstates. It is also the current
bestseller among law enforcement
agencies across the United States.
Since the demise of Chevy's Caprice
9C1, officers have no choice but to
adopt Ford's model since the
competition from newer Chevy models
is comparatively mediocre. That
said, the Crown Vic is a capable
police cruiser and can reel in
most perps.
Police Interceptor models are easily
recognized by their black-out
grilles and black-out wheels with
smaller-than-wheel-size shiny
hubcaps, although some departments
opt for normal Crown Vic wheels. You
might even notice the cut-out on the
A-pillar for the spotlight. The rear
panel between the tail-lights is
also blacked out and carries
discrete "Police Interceptor"
badging. All this should help you
spot an unmarked unit on the highway
if you plan on speeding (not that
you would, of course), but mind you,
the '98 models did not have black
out grilles.
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The Crown Vic is heavy, almost
SUV-like heavy. It depends on this
bulk to run suspects off the road
should the need arise. It has an
old-school V8 engine, but it doesn't
provide nearly as much power as
Chevy's small-block V8. It produces
only 235 hp, which accounts for a
quarter-mile time of sixteen
seconds. In short, it has the same
performance as your grandpa's Crown
Vic. Ford also offers a 178 hp
natural gas-powered version called NGV for light-duty patrols, which
looks the same as the 235 hp
Interceptor. But the cop version
does have a heavy-duty frame,
driveshaft, brakes, suspension and
shocks to handle the rigors of a
high speed pursuit over bumpy
potholes and curbs. That's why it
sits a few inches higher than the
normal car. Police package equipment
include things such as auxiliary
power feeds, wiring packages,
heavy-duty battery, alternator and
cooling system,
radio-interference-suppression
bonding strap, engine and
transmission oil coolers, removable
headliner with extra roof
reinforcements, inoperative inside
rear-door handles and 225/60R16
tires on heavy-duty steel wheels.
Standard are all-wheel disc brakes,
and independent short and long arm
front and four bar link rear
suspension. Top speed is limited to
129 mph and braking distances are
long, at about 145 feet.
Specifications :
Price Range : Only sold to law
enforcement agencies. Used ones
available
at police auctions.
Engine : V8, SOHC, front engine RWD
Displacement : 4,600 cc
Valve : 16 valves, 2 valves per
cylinder
Transmission : 4-spd automatic
Fuel economy : city - 16 mpg
highway
- 22 mpg
Horsepower : 235 hp @ 4750 rpm
Torque : 275 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
0-60 mph : 8.7 sec.
Curb Weight : 4020 lbs
Overall length : 212.0 in.
Wheelbase : 114.7 in.
Overall Width : 78.2 in.
Height : 56.8 in.
www.ford.com
History :
The pre-1998 model, which originally
began its production run sometime in
the early 90s, is still being used
by some agencies. The police package
on these models were basically the
same as the latest model, except
that they came equipped with a 210
hp V8. It hits 60 mph in 9.1 seconds
and has a governed top speed of 137
mph. A natural gas-powered 178 hp
version was also offered.
The late 80s Ford Crown Victoria was
widely in use until the mid-90s and
may still be in use in some
cash-strapped county sheriff's
department. And yes, it is the car
from The Blues Brothers 2000.
Page courtesy of
Modern Racer
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