1983 FHP Photos
 

Since reacquiring the '83 FHP, I have been trying to locate additional in-service photos, documentation on the cars, information on the Troopers that drove them, and their stories. So far, so good!

Beginning with a photo most of us are familiar with, the story goes:

"It was 1983 and I had stopped to meet with a couple of troopers that were in the median on I-95 southbound. Trooper Ted Crawley, said, "Come thru the median, its firm." I said it(s) too soft. Trooper Crawley, stated, "Its firm, come on thru, Trust me." I got stuck and Trooper Crawley said, "YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TRUSTED ME." Bob Borman

I had the pleasure of speaking over the phone with retired Trooper Borman after he was recognized in the photo and we were put in contact with each other. Although he didn't get into the specifics of the '83's other than this incident, his memories of the '83 and other Mustangs he drove were positive.

Trooper Mike Strickland, September 1983, in front of Troop H, Tallahassee. The first issued of the 1983 Mustangs. Attended the 43rd recruit class, Served 1973 until 2010. Retired as a Corporal.

very cool pictures. thanks for posting.

Very nice! Side note...interesting thread going on a Facebook license plate collector site about a person who tried selling FHP plates on eBay and was contacted by the FHP and instructed to send the plates back to them.

I would tell fhp to kiss my ass

Trooper Chris Roper in his 1983 Mustang, which he gladly traded his Diplomat for.

One more of Trooper Chris Roper's '83, unit# unknown at this time.

Great pics!

:thumbsup:

A known image of 1509. Retired Trooper Harvey Jack Mears has laid claim to driving 1501, the first of the 40 used.

The Troopers I have spoken with who drove the 1983 Mustangs have all relayed similar stories of their "celebrity" status when they were behind the wheel. Here is a picture of Trooper Jim Mauney and FHP1531 on the cover of a regional BMW publication.

Trooper Mauney and I spoke at length about his experiences with 1531. He kept the car in pristine condition and even made a few performance modifications, including suspension work. Unfortunately, based on what he told me to look for, my car shows no evidence of having been his.

Another well known picture. The original 40 lined up at the Training Academy in Tallahassee. According to first hand accounts, not all of the Mustangs made it out of the training in one piece! Apparently one left the road and got put through a fence. And then there were 39.

From the same day/week of training is a photo of the FHP confiscated Trans Am with Trooper Mark Freeman.

Good picture, looks like a Smokey.. and the Bandit lol almost !

Trooper Mauney was kind enough to share this photo of 1531's interior. Note the passenger seat is removed. At one point his Mustang had a prisoner cage and one of the earliest self mounted dash cams! He was asked to remove both.

Holy cow, where'd he put the microwave? :-)

Fantastic Pic !!!

Notice the shotgun anyone? Also the handy dash mounted Speedgun? And the Roxster light.

Don’t forget the Vascar and Micor.

Training day, in color!

One more of the original 40.