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Agency-Specific Restoration Have an Agency-Specific question? This is the place. |
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Delaware State Police SSP's
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As a follow up to your inquiry in another thread, my friend who is a Delaware State Trooper suggested that I call the DSP Museum (302/739-7700), which I did on 2/25/2009. The man there is retired DSP, and he remembers the SSP Mustangs. He said that the ten cars were purchased as a test, but the DSP did not find that the SSP Mustangs met their needs. Topigraphically, Delaware is hilly in the northern part, with curvy/twisty roads. Downstate, the terrain is much flatter and the roads are straighter. Plus, Delaware has only 40 miles (+/-) of Interstate. Most of the 1987 SSP's were used in the southern Delaware Troops, specifically Troops 4, 5, and 7. The remaining SSP's were kept at HQ in Dover for use by higher ranking officers. Other problems cited with the SSP's were their appetite for gas. I have read elsewere that the DSP also complained about the driver's seatbacks breaking, and also that the SSP's were considered a fair weather only vehicle, which meant the cars were not used when the roads were wet or snowy. The man from the museum said that they did not have any pictures there of the DSP SSP's - only one of the few marked Camaros. He remembered that none of the SSP's were marked; they were used for traffic enforcement. As such, they most likely had radar units installed. He had no idea on the radio equipment that was used in the SSP's, other than "most likely Motorolla". The man at the museum gave me another contact who is also retired DSP and is into cars. If I can learn anything more from this individual, I will certainly put you two in contact with each other. Quote:
Brian, Here is the email I received from retired DSP Trooper B. Beck - The Delaware State Police purchased 11 "five-oh" Mustangs in 1987. Ten were for patrol; one for the Superintendent. His was a fastback. They remained in patrol until one of our troopers was seriously injured in a head-on on I-95. The trooper was driving a Dodge Diplomat; but, the prevailing thought was that had he been in a Mustang, he would have been killed. So, all 10 were re-assigned to non-patrol personnel. Yes, all were unmarked, and remained so until disposed of by auction. The tell-tale black wheels gave them away as police cars. If I may be on more help in your endeavor, please contact me. More good information! Obviously, the eleventh 5.0L Mustang was a regular LX hatchback used by the Superintendent and the other ten were SSP's. I remember when that Trooper was seriously injured from the head-on collision. The suspect reversed direction on I-95 and purposely slammed her car into the Trooper's Dodge Diplomat at high speed (in the era before airbags). The large car, and the Trooper's bullet-proof vest were credited for saving his life. Brian, I will put you in touch with this retired Trooper. He may know of another retired or active-duty DSP Trooper who could assist you with the preservation of your relatively rare SSP.
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Bill Jr. To everyone out there, wherever you are. Remember, the light at the end of the tunnel may be the police chasing you down in their own Mustang! |
#2
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1987 Delaware SSP Mustang Restoration Pictures In Progress
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#3
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Looks like a great starting point from the pics! Interior is clean.
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Unit A-41 |
#4
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Thanks,
I just back inside from working on it. It got really cold out. Pep Boys And Autozone must love me. I'm trying to correct all the headlight wire mess that was all hacked up with black ductape. Thanks for the nice comment. One day at a time. LOL |
#5
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please put up some pics of it!
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#6
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I concur!
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