"carwitter" (carwitter)
04/18/2014 at 18:34 • Filed to: V8, Ford, Crown Victoria, Crown Vic
16
30|
"carwitter" (carwitter)
04/18/2014 at 18:34 • Filed to: V8, Ford, Crown Victoria, Crown Vic | 16
| 30 |
Something struck me funny when I first saw it. It's not my usual type of car. I had owned three !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , but this time I wanted something different.
Eventually, I had made my choice. I took home a gray, 2006 Ford Crown Victoria, the Police Interceptor edition.
Sure, I'll lose some credibility on my twitter name ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ), but I definitely gained some jalopy cred.
Ford Crown Victorias are common police vehicles. They have been on the road as law enforcement vehicles for over two decades.
The Police Interceptor edition includes an upgraded air intake, struts with stiffer damping, steel wheels, and an oil-cooler for the transmission. Additional rigidity was added to the chassis as well.Those are functional modifications that all gear-heads can appreciate.
At over 122,000 miles, the car has been well maintained. It has a 4.6 liter V8, with 250 horsepower and 297 lb.-ft. of torque. It's also my first V8, front-engine, rear-wheel drive combination vehicle.
Now I truly feel American.
Most people think of these cars in connection with senior citizens, with the front bench seating and boat-like ride.
This edition however, rides better than expected. The stiffened damping actually allows a degree of road feel, but the chassis is so well-braced, that rough bumps are well muted.
Compared to my Mr2 Spyder, it drives like Rolls Royce.
Sure, that comes off as an extreme, but it is surprisingly quiet. Road noise doesn't seep through into the interior. The seats are well-cushioned and provide no lateral support. Trunk space isn't measured in bags of groceries or laundry baskets, but rather, in body count. It. Is. A. Cavern.
At 40 miles per hour, the transmission shifts straight to 4th gear, and drops to 1,500 rpm. At 70 miles per hour, it's still at a quiet 2,200 rpm. Compared to the Spyder, which hovers at 3,500 with a lot less chassis structure, the car is a library.
It is surprising how much respect the vehicle gets on the road. Sure, it looks like a cop car, but it isn't. There is no black and white color; it's all gray. There are no sirens on the roof. There is no additional spotlight for the baddies.
The only tell is the 16" steel wheels that came with the car. Driver behavior has changed around me. Others purposely cruise just above the speed limit, or lay off the accelerator pedal to get below it. The few times I have been cut off on the road, the offender takes a peek back, and switches away from my lane. At four-way stops, everyone signals me to go through first, when it's not the right of way.
Outside of normal errands, I rarely take the car out. Drives to the beach or the canyons just aren't enticing. I tried a beach drive once, only to find the experience incredibly abstract. I couldn't see the beach goers through my tinted windows.I didn't hear the laughter or joy of people on the sidewalks. I couldn't hear the ocean waves from the road from the pure insulation.
This is a definite 180 degree turn from what I'm used to with the Mr2 Spyder. Canyons are not an option. While the rear drive setup with hard compound tires allow a small degree of fun, the road feel is so unpronounced, that nothing is ever dramatic.
Still, I have to admit, while it's not the most outrageously fun car to drive, it has it's perks. The seating position allows for a relaxed position only. The lazy V8 with the 4-speed automatic leans toward a more relaxed side of driving. Commuting is more stress-free, regardless of how dense the traffic is in front of me. I'm calm and alone with my thoughts, heading to point B.
Now, I truly understand it.
Not everyone is out looking for the most fun car on the road. Not everyone wants to drive a canyon and lean on the edges of tire grip. Some people just want to take it easy, and lead a path as stress-free as possible.
The Crown Victoria doesn't look the greatest. It doesn't sound the greatest. It's not the most responsive car on the road. It is, amazingly serene. The stiffer damping just allows things to be interesting enough, so I don't fall asleep behind the wheel.
The best part is, I never had to worry about it. There are no creaks and rattles. It's not attractive enough to be stolen. There is always room to bring other people. It's not underpowered.
And there, lies the soul of the vehicle.
Little did I know, it would be the coolest car I've owned to date!
!!! UNKNOWN HEADER TYPE (MULTI-LINE BREAK?) !!!
!!! UNSUPPORTED LINE BREAK IN HEADER !!!
Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
> carwitter
04/18/2014 at 18:40 |
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Give it some good mufflers, bring out the 4.6 mod motor's noise.
For Sweden
> carwitter
04/18/2014 at 18:41 |
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That looks GOOD.
Needs a bull bar however.
jkm7680
> carwitter
04/18/2014 at 18:42 |
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Very Nice! It doesn't smell like Vomit does it?
I'd aim for a Non/Transport car.
FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> carwitter
04/18/2014 at 18:43 |
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welcome to the panther club!
Takuro Spirit
> For Sweden
04/18/2014 at 18:48 |
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Nooooo don't hack up a perfect bumper! Also it looks like it's got the Street Appearance Package, with the full mouldings and painted trim/chrome door handles. More of a 'detective's car' than your average squad.
JR1
> carwitter
04/18/2014 at 18:51 |
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You just can't really go wrong with an American boat. Sure they don't like the curves but there is something about them that just feels right.
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carwitter
> Takuro Spirit
04/18/2014 at 18:53 |
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Good spot!
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Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
> carwitter
04/18/2014 at 18:55 |
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You'd be surprised how easy it is to get Panthers sideways, btw.
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For Sweden
> Takuro Spirit
04/18/2014 at 18:57 |
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Take off bumper
Keep bumper in storage
Use a scrapyard bumper for bull bar
Rock awesome bull bar
PS9
> carwitter
04/18/2014 at 18:57 |
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Sure, I'll lose some credibility on my twitter name...
That can only happen if you let it!
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> carwitter
04/18/2014 at 19:03 |
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I highly recommend this mod- http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/panthursday-ex…
lonestranger
> carwitter
04/18/2014 at 19:07 |
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16" 7-slot wheels, black door handles, 4-piece door mouldings. Different car, not fooling me!
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carwitter
> lonestranger
04/18/2014 at 19:09 |
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Haha it certainly is...this image is a...'rerepresentation'
Delta Five Nine
> Takuro Spirit
04/18/2014 at 19:10 |
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Only if it's been modified 90% of the point of the SAP (exterior wise) was removing the honeycomb, black on the trunk and no PI badge and wheel covers (easily taken off of course). Many PI came with full color trim, esp later model.
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Delta Five Nine
> Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
04/18/2014 at 19:15 |
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Dunnik
> carwitter
04/18/2014 at 19:17 |
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Now, I truly understand it.
I am glad you have seen the light, brother. There is nothing wrong with a big, comfortable, smooth, powerful V8 RWD sofa, even if it has an automatic.
Some say the whole cop thing gets annoying after a while, while others say it never gets old. Cops themselves say it sometimes gets old when nobody is passing you while you chill in the right lane doing 10 over. The smarter among them realize it's actually bad for traffic flow - bunches cars up and focuses attention on the cop, which could end badly.
I must say it makes me a little more cautious too. I have a sharp eye for Panthers, can usually spot an Interceptor without needing to get close enough to read the badge on the back (which is, of course, too late), and I'll never confuse it with grandma's Grand Marquis, but there still is the Cop or Not Cop game to be played. As I pass or follow I look for some of the telltale signs, who's driving it wearing what clothing, does it have plexiglass inside, is there a radio aerial, steelies with caps, does it have lights in the grill, a pushbar? If you find a change of light angle reveals decals, you have failed and are now booked by the stealth cruiser.
sm70- why not Duesenberg?
> carwitter
04/18/2014 at 19:32 |
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I've been looking at an ex-cop Crown Vic (specifically, this one), and one of the things that I love the most is the fact that, with all its black paint and steelies, spotlights, and push bars, it still looks like an unmarked cop car. People tend to slow down and get TF out of your way.
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Takuro Spirit
> Delta Five Nine
04/18/2014 at 19:47 |
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Hard to see but it looks like the tail light trim is body colored. Chrome door handles are hard to add though. I may be a bit rusty on my CVPI spotting though. Its been awhile.
Luc - The Acadian Oppo
> carwitter
04/18/2014 at 20:43 |
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I had a 1999 interceptor it had over 200000 miles and it was fantastic. it was the most reliable car I had ever owned. I tried to find a video of mine, I had cherry bomb glasspacks on it and it sounded great but I can't seem to find that video anymore. these cars are great I'm sure you will have a good time with it.
ly2v8-Brian
> JR1
04/18/2014 at 21:22 |
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I know. The Buick LeSabre I used to have was the same way (only 20 less hp and unfortunately wrong wheel drive). The Buick V6 would roar to life, then the muffled whir of the air compressor for the suspension. 70 Mph under 2 grand, with a bonus of 30+ mpg
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JR1
> ly2v8-Brian
04/18/2014 at 23:04 |
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It's almost said that it is an entirely dead segment. I can't think of any modern day "American" luxury cars besides maybe the 300
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ly2v8-Brian
> JR1
04/18/2014 at 23:23 |
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Again wrong wheel drive, the current Impala and Lacrosse (and the Caddy) are good old style cruisers. Maybe the Taurus, but I just hate that thing, it is way too tall for a car (when parked next to a CR-V it looks almost as tall)
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JR1
> ly2v8-Brian
04/18/2014 at 23:36 |
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I guess they are the closest option to "American" luxury but overall it is a little sad the segment is dead. Wrong wheel drive just isn't exactly the whole luxury package.
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ly2v8-Brian
> JR1
04/19/2014 at 00:33 |
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Exactly it just feels off.
Camry-Into-Canyon
> Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
04/25/2014 at 12:49 |
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hell yes. my friend straight-piped his 2010 PI, and it sings.
CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)
> carwitter
04/25/2014 at 19:37 |
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I always wondered if you can put a ecoboost 2.0 in there.
thebigbossyboss
> carwitter
04/25/2014 at 20:19 |
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Aww yeah. I drove the previous crown vic police interceptor once...and it was awesome.
427zeo6
> carwitter
04/25/2014 at 22:34 |
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Found a 70K mile P71 Vic for my buddy who is a high performance engine builder ( talking $100K Pro Stock motors/USAC Midgets-Silver Crown Vs and Bonneville world record holders ) My buddy has regained " car guy " status and is in love with his Vic!
MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> carwitter
05/02/2014 at 16:04 |
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just saw this post today, welcome to V8 power.
Now let it sing! This is a youtube clip I found of a Crown Vic with the Mufflers I have on my Montego.
aaaand my car:
davlac89
> carwitter
05/06/2014 at 12:56 |
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