Re: Oddball Muscle Cars
 

This isn't your classic muscle car,,,but since law enforcement vehicles were previously mentioned, I can clearly remember back in 68' the Washington State Patrol had a fleet of 4 dr 427 Biscaynes out on the highways. The following year they started phasing in the Plymouth Furys and one by one the Biscaynes started showing up at the local dragstrips. I was too young to drive just yet, but it would've been neat to go to the auction and pick one up back in the day. I can recall seeing one with a hole in the hood and a tunnel ram poking through after some racers got a hold of it.
Memories of a former 15 year old,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Danny Durham

Re: Oddball Muscle Cars
 

Another ODD-BALL "Police Pursuit Vehicle"
Not very fast though.
AMC Matador.
Probably good for patrolling 'Parking Lots'.
Paul

Re: Oddball Muscle Cars
 

I took a job with Los Angeles County Mechanical Department in 1980 as a journeyman power equipment mechanic.We serviced and repaired cars,pickups,and vans for the various county departments including the Sheriff's department and the county fire department.In the fleet were a few solid color(not black and white) 401 powered 73 Matadors.Those cars would suprise you.They had a 727 Torqueflite with an AMC compatible case,and wide open throttle, they would burn the tires going into second. The downfall of the whole car was it's rather flexible unit body, the most iferior brakes and suspension imaginable,and its excessive weight. It was great in a straight line,however.I always thought there was a better use for the 360-390-401 than in powering Matadors.

Re: Oddball Muscle Cars
 

Seeing as we are talking Cop Cars, back in about 1969 the State of Michigan had a Fury that was converted to 4 wheel drive by an English company.
I believe the car number was 69. Even had a small blurb in HOT ROD Magazine about it.

Re: Oddball Muscle Cars
 

local police had 1964 studebaker larks with Avanti engines do not remember the size but those little 2 door cars could fly--comp 387

Re: Oddball Muscle Cars
 

Alabama State Police used late style (71-72) Javelins.Not sure if all or some were 401s.
There is one in the Talladega Museum on display.
www.javelinamx.com/javhome/copcar/alabama.htm -

The Muskogo Wi PD used them from 1973-4.

Re: Oddball Muscle Cars
 

Didn't you ever watch Adam-12? Actually, the mid-70s AMC Matadors with the 401 and police package out-performed GM and Ford's offerings in urban pursuit situtations. That's why big cities (like LA) were the biggest customers.

Re: Oddball Muscle Cars
 

I just remembered a mini-musclecar a friend bought as his first car back in the mid-60s - an Oldsmobile F-85 with a turbocharged 215, four-speed and positraction. Lame, but cute.

Re: Oddball Muscle Cars
 

My brother has a 1973? AMC Ambassidor with the police package. It was a sheriffs car near Sioux Falls South Dakota.

Re: Oddball Muscle Cars
 

I must apologize.
The AMC Matador with the 401 engine was more potent than I thought.
I think 1972 or 1973, it out-perfomed GM/Ford/Mopar in overall performance for 'Police Pursuit Vehicles'. The fastest in achieving
Top-Speed.
Of course popular in the "Adam-12" series.
Also, featured in "The Man with the Golden Gun" James Bond.
The Matador was converted into an airplane, with 'Britt Eklund' in the
trunk. Now, wouldn't that be a nice "Sunday Treat"?
Paul,,,,