{{More citations needed|date=April 2024}}{{Infobox automobile |image= 1987-1993 Ford Mustang Police Car.jpg |name=Ford Mustang SSP |manufacturer=[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] |production=1982–1993 |class=[[Pony car|Pony]]/[[Muscle car|Muscle]] [[Police car]] |body_style=2-door [[coupé|coupe]]<br>2-door [[hatchback]] |platform=[[Ford Fox platform|Fox]] (1979-1993) |layout=[[FR layout]] |transmission=4-speed automatic<br>5-speed manual |related= [[Special Service Package]]<br>[[Police Package Vehicles]]<br>[[Special Service Vehicles (SSVs)|Special Service Vehicles]] }}
The '''Ford Mustang SSP''' is a lightweight [[Police vehicles in the United States|police car package]] that was based on the [[Ford Mustang]] and produced by [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] between 1982 and 1993.<ref>Farr, Donald. Ford Mustang: America's Original Pony Car. United States: Motorbooks, 2017.</ref> The car was meant to provide a speedier option for [[police]] departments in lieu of other full sized (and heavier) [[sedan (car)|sedan]]s on the market at the time. The SSP abbreviation means '''[[Special Service Package]]''', a special [[Ford Fox platform|Foxbody Mustang]] trim made exclusively for law enforcement use. One of the taglines used by Ford to help sell this car was ''This Ford chases [[Porsche]]s for a living...''<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=1982 California Highway Patrol SSP Mustang (The First SSP Mustang) |url=https://www.specialservicemustang.net/History.html |accessdate=2024-12-04 |website=Special Service Mustang.net |publisher=SpecialServiceMustang.net}}</ref>
The units served a number of uses, and were often customized to suit each law enforcement agency's particular needs. Law enforcement agencies from municipal to government agencies bought nearly 15,000 examples of these units. Many still exist today, either still in some role of law enforcement, from display cars to [[Drug Abuse Resistance Education|DARE]] cars, as well as in the hands of civilian collectors and racers.
==History== In 1982, the [[California Highway Patrol]] asked the [[Ford Motor Company]] to produce a capable and lightweight police car due to the bulkiness of current police cars like the [[Ford Fairmont]] and [[Ford LTD (North America)|LTD]]/[[Ford Crown Victoria|Crown Victoria]] and the problems incurred with Chevrolet Camaros with their [[camshaft]]s<ref name="SSP Mustang FAQ Page">{{cite web|url=http://www.sspmustang.org/FAQ.htm |title=SSP Mustang FAQ Page |publisher=Sspmustang.org |date= |accessdate=2010-10-11}}</ref> and engine problems<ref>''Mustang Monthly'' "Highly Pursued" text and photos by Donald Farr, May 2006 pg 88-90</ref> at pursuit speeds. Taking the Fox 5.0 Mustangs in production at the time, Ford produced the Ford Mustang SSP and modified them to suit the needs of the police and law enforcement departments. [[File:1982 Ford Mustang coupe (8453079758).jpg|thumb|1982 Ford Mustang Coupe that was a former California Highway Patrol car]] [[File:1985 Ford Mustang SSP 5.0 Police Coupe (14209936377).jpg|thumb|1985 Ford Mustang SSP 5.0 Coupe Kentucky State Police State Trooper car]] [[File:1989 Ford Mustang SSP Coupe (14506985949).jpg|thumb|1989 Ford Mustang SSP Coupe Alabama State Police State Trooper car]] [[File:1992 Ford Mustang SSP Coupe (14555240664).jpg|thumb|1992 Ford Mustang SSP Coupe owned by Florida Highway Patrol]] It is estimated that nearly 15,000 of these special units were made from 1982 until their discontinuation in 1993 for over 60 law enforcement organizations and government agencies. Their roles ranged from general patrol to pursuit units, with some used in special duties like drug interdiction to academy training units. Several units were specially tasked to help land the [[Lockheed U-2]] Spyplane.
==Specifications==
The Mustang SSP was essentially a more rugged version of the 5.0 Mustang, with added features (some standard, some optional) not available to the general public. Some of the additional features were:
* Engine oil cooler * Silicone radiator hoses and aircraft-style clamps * Auto transmission fluid cooler * 130 and 135 amp internally and externally regulated heavy duty [[alternator (automotive)|alternator]]s * Two-piece VASCAR speedometer cable * Certified calibrated speedometer 0-140 mph (1982-early 1989) and 0-160 mph (late 1989–1993) * Non-operational courtesy lights (safety feature) * Relocated rear deck release * Single key locking doors/trunk * Reinforced floor pans * Full size spare tire
Depending on which agency bought them, extras like rollcages (installed by Oregon State Police and Kentucky State Police) and power windows (requested by [[New York State Police]]) made each SSP unique to their respective departments. The original configuration of the civilian Mustang with its small rear seat and [[manual transmission]] were generally considered ill-suited for a law-enforcement vehicle. Many SSPs had [[automatic transmissions]], to free an officer's hand from using the manual transmission stick so that they could use the hand for other duties, such as speaking on a radio.
==Usage== [[File:1992 Ford Mustang SSP Interior.jpg|thumb|Interior of a 1992 Ford Mustang SSP Coupe formerly used by the Kansas Highway Patrol]] Some of the known users of the Mustang SSP include:
===United States government=== *[[Drug Enforcement Administration]] *[[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] *[[Immigration and Naturalization Service]] *[[United States Postal Service]] - 6 were used in the Los Angeles area in California *[[United States Air Force]] - Used as a chase car for the [[Lockheed U-2|U-2 Spy Plane]] *[[United States Border Patrol]] - Drug interdiction; resides at USBP Museum in Texas *[[United States Customs Service]] *[[US Fish and Wildlife Service]]
===State governments=== *[[Alabama Highway Patrol|Alabama State Troopers]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Reilly |first=Sean |title=Troopers zip in Mustangs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-troopers-zip-in-mustan/186202724/ |access-date=4 December 2025 |work=The Anniston Star |date=7 August 1989 |page=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-troopers-zip-in-mustan/186202724/ 1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-troopers-zip-in-mustan/186202753/ 2] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> *[[Arizona Department of Public Safety]] *[[California Highway Patrol]] - Initial purchaser of the Mustang SSP<ref>{{cite news |title=CHP buying Ford Mustangs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fallbrookbonsall-enterprise-chp-buy/186201920/ |access-date=4 December 2025 |work=The Fallbrook/Bonsall Enterprise |date=13 May 1982 |page=2 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Sarah |title=CHP gears up to catch speeders |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/merced-sun-star-chp-gears-up-to-catch-sp/170851062/ |access-date=4 December 2025 |work=Merced Sun-Star |date=5 December 1990 |page=50 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> *[[Colorado State Patrol]] *[[Connecticut State Police]] *[[Delaware State Police]] *[[Florida Highway Patrol]] - Second biggest user of the Mustang SSP<ref>{{cite news |title=40 new sports cars inject speed into state road patrol |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-40-new-sports-cars-inje/186198659/ |access-date=4 December 2025 |work=The Miami Herald |date=8 September 1983 |page=2B |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Troopers' New Patrol Cars Are Ready To Roll, Fast |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sarasota-herald-tribune-troopers-new-pa/186198837/ |access-date=4 December 2025 |work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |date=27 July 1983 |page=50 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> *[[Georgia State Patrol]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Mustangs ready for patrol use |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-mustangs-ready-for-patrol-use/186199067/ |access-date=4 December 2025 |work=The Times |location=Gainsville |date=2 August 1982 |page=12 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Pinto |first=Ines |title=Smokey gets a new weapon |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-smokey-gets-a-new-weapon/186199231/ |access-date=4 December 2025 |work=The Times |location=Gainsville |date=14 August 1988 |page=13 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> *[[Idaho State Police]] *[[Indiana State Police]] *[[Kansas Highway Patrol]] *[[Kentucky State Police]] *[[Louisiana State Police]] *[[Massachusetts State Police]] *[[Michigan State Police]] *[[Minnesota State Patrol]] *[[Mississippi Highway Patrol]] *[[Missouri Highway Patrol]] *[[Nebraska State Patrol]] *[[Nevada Highway Patrol]] *[[New Mexico State Police]] *[[New York State Police]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Pfiffer |first=Jim |title=Troopers like new mounts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-gazette-troopers-like-new-mounts/186204785/ |access-date=4 December 2025 |work=Star-Gazette |location=Elmira |date=24 October 1988 |page=8 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> *[[North Carolina Highway Patrol]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Troopers Increase Horsepower To Match Speeders |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-troopers-increase/186199119/ |access-date=4 December 2025 |work=The Charlotte Observer |date=27 October 1989 |page=15 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> *[[Oklahoma Highway Patrol]] *[[Oregon State Police]] *[[Pennsylvania State Police]] *[[Rhode Island State Police]] *[[South Carolina Highway Patrol]] *[[Tennessee Highway Patrol]] *[[Texas Department of Public Safety]] - Third biggest user of the Mustang SSP<ref>{{cite news |last=Heines |first=Vivienne |title=Out with flashy Camaro, in with sturdy Crown Vic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/corpus-christi-caller-times-out-with-fla/186200555/ |access-date=4 December 2025 |work=Corpus Christi Caller-Times |date=23 June 1994 |page=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/corpus-christi-caller-times-out-with-fla/186200555/ 4], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/corpus-christi-caller-times-out-with-fla/186200591/ 5] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |quote=The Texas highway patrol automotive fleet includes 121 Chevrolet Camaros, 622 Chevrolet Caprices, 157 Ford Mustangs and 157 Ford Crown Victorias, said spokesman Mike Cox at the DPS office in Austin.}}</ref> *[[Utah Highway Patrol]] *[[Virginia State Police]] - Manual transmission, unmarked cars *[[Washington State Patrol]] *[[Wisconsin State Patrol]] *[[Wyoming Highway Patrol]]
===City/County governments=== * Arlington, TX Police Department * Douglas County, GA Sheriff's Department * [[Atlanta Police Department]], GA * Smithfield, VA Police Department * Clearwater, FL Police Department * [[Fort Worth Police Department]], TX * Jonesboro, AR Police Department * [[New York City Police Department]] - confiscated [[drag racer]] refurbished for [[NYPD Highway Patrol|Highway Patrol]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Cheng |first=Mae M. |title=New muscle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-new-muscle/186199183/ |access-date=4 December 2025 |work=Newsday |location=Melville |date=31 October 1995 |page=5 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> * Pensacola, FL Police Department * [[San Francisco Police Department]] * Winter Park FL Police Department * [[Beverly Hills Police Department]], CA * [[Portland Police Bureau]], OR * Gilroy, CA Police Department * Twin Cities Police Department; Larkspur, Corte Madera, CA * Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department * Earth, TX Police Department * Tarrant County, TX Sheriff's Department * Stephenville TX Police Department * Parachute, CO Police Department * Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Largo Florida * Homerville, GA Clinch County Sherriff's Office * Dickinson County, KS Sheriff's Office * Lancaster County, NE Sheriff's Office * Layton, UT Police Department * Harrisville, UT Police Department
===Canada=== * [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]]<ref>{{cite news |title=New car chases down criminals |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/surrey-leader-new-car-chases-down-crimin/169917603/ |access-date=4 December 2025 |work=Surrey Leader |date=14 May 1986 |page=23 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
==Fate== [[File:EX FHP Ford Mustang SSP 005.JPG|thumb|left|200px|Ex Florida Highway Patrol Ford Mustang SSP]] [[File:EX FHP Ford Mustang SSP 006.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Same Florida Highway Patrol Ford Mustang SSP after repainting]] Most of the Mustang SSPs have been retired from service, with a few examples still on the rosters of police departments as display or [[Drug Abuse Resistance Education|DARE]] cars. A few law enforcement agencies still keep them on active duty. Most examples have found their way into either racing or [[Automotive restoration|restoration]].
With its stiffened frame and beefed up suspension, many Mustang SSPs were modified for use in [[drag racing]]. The plentiful aftermarket of parts for the 5.0 engine made the SSP platform a desirable frame to work on, but with the dwindling supply and rising prices of genuine Mustang SSPs, these factors have limited racers from converting SSPs for racing purposes.
Restoring Mustang SSPs have become a growing hobby as of late, with car clubs and websites devoted to the restoration of the law enforcement workhorse. Most enthusiasts strive for accuracy in their models, with many scouring for [[OEM]] parts, including police radios, shotgun holders, lights, sirens, and other related equipment. However, the hobby is limited, as many states have regulations on private citizens owning cars that could be mistaken for real law enforcement vehicles. Some get around the regulations by using magnetic decals and removable lights.
==Distinct models==
===CHP Hatchback===
In 1982, the CHP ordered 400 Special Service Package notchback coupes (394 were built by Ford and shipped to the CHP), and at least 4 cars were SSP hatchbacks. These four hatchbacks were painted and equipped in the same manner as the SSP coupes. They were produced under a different 6-digit Fleet DSO number than the SSP coupes, and were retained for use and evaluation by the CHP. One of these hatchbacks exists in private hands.
===CHP EVOC===
Several Mustang SSPs were converted by the CHP to EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course) track vehicles. These EVOC vehicles were used for training the cadets how to drive at high speeds. The Mustangs were known for their 140+- mile per hour top speed. Modifications include a full roll cage, racing harnesses, and tuned front suspension (for high speed driving and cornering). The EVOC vehicles were highly maintained to ensure safety while on the track.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sspmustang.org/features/chp_evoc_vehicle.htm |title=1992 CHP Mustang EVOC vehicle |publisher=Sspmustang.org |date= |accessdate=2010-10-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sspmustang.org/photos/smf_photo3f.htm |title=State/Municipal/Federal SSP Mustangs gallery; 2 EVOC cars (92 on left/89 right) at the CHP academy; note hubcaps removed for safety |publisher=Sspmustang.org |date= |accessdate=2010-10-11}}</ref>
===USAF U-2 chase car=== Due to problems with landing the [[Lockheed U-2]], a system was implemented where a second pilot would chase the U-2 (termed "mobile") and help guide the aircraft down to earth. The [[United States Air Force|USAF]] usually utilized a performance car for this task.<ref>Modified Mustangs "They Come, They Go!: First in Harms Way" sidebar Story by Don Roy Photos by James Pickett, January 2007 pg 117</ref>
In 1986, the USAF was looking for a replacement for the [[Chevrolet El Camino]] as a chase car for the U-2. [[Beale Air Force Base]] asked the local [[California Highway Patrol]] to provide a Mustang SSP for testing. The test proved the Mustang SSP superior to the El Camino and the USAF ordered 20 for work with the spyplanes.
Their career lasted until the late 1990s, when they were replaced by "Special Service" [[Chevrolet Camaro B4C|B4C]] [[Chevrolet]] [[Camaro]]s.
One of three examples from [[RAF Alconbury]] is preserved: 1988 Mustang SSP 88B 9971 "Mobile 1", serving with the 17th Reconnaissance Wing and the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron until its disposal in 1999. It is currently in the hands of a private collector in the United States after being ferried from its last operation in Italy to England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sspmustang.org/features/USAF_SSP.htm |title=A look at USAF 'Spy Plane Chasers' |publisher=Sspmustang.org |date= |accessdate=2010-10-11}}</ref>
==Saleen connections==
Noted manufacturer [[Saleen]] contributed to the history of the Mustang SSP. The Oregon State Police had ordered 34 coupes in 1988, but cancelled the order at the last minute. The dealership that ordered the coupes, Damerow Ford, scrambled to find a way to get rid of the order, and Saleen took custody of 14 of the cars. Saleen returned the cars after adding vehicle ID, rear spoiler, ground effects and interior upgrades. The dealer then resold them.<ref name="SSP Mustang FAQ Page"/>
While not a SSP, Saleen modified another 5.0, a 1989 5.0 LX Hatchback, for the [[Seal Beach, California]] Police Department. Designated as an S442 model; this model served Seal Beach until its retirement in the late 1990s.<ref>''Mustang Forty Years'', by Randy Leffingwell, {{ISBN|0-7603-1597-3}}</ref>
==See also== * [[Police vehicles in the United States]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==Book and magazine references== {{refbegin}}
* ''Mustang Forty Years,'' by Randy Leffingwell, {{ISBN|0-7603-1597-3}} * ''Mustang Monthly'' "For Special Service" by Miles Cook, November 2004 [http://www.sspmustang.org/features/MM_Article_OCT_2004.pdf (PDF copy of article here)] * ''Mustang Monthly'' "Highly Pursued" text and photos by Donald Farr, May 2006 pg 88–90 * ''Modified Mustangs'' "They Come, They Go!: First in Harms Way" sidebar Story by Don Roy Photos by James Pickett, January 2007 pg 117
{{refend}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Ford Mustang SSP}} * [http://www.specialservicemustang.net/VINlist/VIN.html SSP Mustang VIN Project] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060615003153/http://www.evooa.org/mssr/mssr.htm Mustang Special Service Registry] * [http://www.SpecialServiceMustang.net/ Special Service Mustangs] * [https://archive.today/20130116070316/http://www.79-93.com/project-post/'88-ssp-lots-of-work-tons-of-fun/ SSP Mustang] SSP Fox Mustang {{Ford Mustang}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ford Mustang Ssp}} [[Category:Coupés]] [[Category:Ford Mustang|SSP]] [[Category:Hatchbacks]] [[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]] [[Category:Police vehicles]]