Oddball Muscle Cars - Page 25

Geerhead55 · 04-21-2010, 10:31 PM

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

Paul Ceasrine · 04-23-2010, 09:16 AM

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

Greg Reimer 7376 · 04-23-2010, 09:37 AM

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.

D.Holly · 04-23-2010, 12:30 PM

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.

FED 387 · 04-23-2010, 01:39 PM

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

Ed Fernandez · 04-23-2010, 02:17 PM

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.

Dwight Southerland · 04-23-2010, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

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

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.

Dwight Southerland · 04-23-2010, 05:49 PM

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.

dakota tom · 04-23-2010, 07:43 PM

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

Paul Ceasrine · 04-24-2010, 07:36 AM

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,,,,

04-21-2010, 10:31 PM	#241
Geerhead55 VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tacoma, Washington Posts: 1,632 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	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

04-23-2010, 09:16 AM	#242
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Oddball Muscle Cars Another ODD-BALL "Police Pursuit Vehicle" Not very fast though. AMC Matador. Probably good for patrolling 'Parking Lots'. Paul

04-23-2010, 09:37 AM	#243
Greg Reimer 7376 VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora,Calif. Posts: 1,114 Likes: 165 Liked 654 Times in 209 Posts	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.

04-23-2010, 12:30 PM	#244
D.Holly Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mid Michigan Posts: 149 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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.

04-23-2010, 01:39 PM	#245
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,354 Likes: 335 Liked 280 Times in 150 Posts	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

04-23-2010, 02:17 PM	#246
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	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. __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA Last edited by Ed Fernandez; 04-23-2010 at 02:31 PM.

04-23-2010, 05:49 PM	#248
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 1,981 Likes: 53 Liked 724 Times in 177 Posts	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.

04-23-2010, 07:43 PM	#249
dakota tom Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 13 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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.

04-24-2010, 07:36 AM	#250
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	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,,,,