Here at RK Motors Charlotte we sell the rarest collector cars in the world seven days a week. Every now and then we get something we’ve never had before and a car that looks like it would a ton of fun to own! Let’s be honest, what could be more fun than owning your own police car? Sure, we’ve all seen the fakie-doo police cars at local car shows, done up by guys who love to feel like they are in charge, but a REAL honest to goodness police car, with sirens and all sorts of cool gadgets to play with? When we first saw this 1984 Ford LTD pull into the showroom, we were all ready to jump in the thing and chase down some speeders (most likely our shop guys test driving our inventory). And is it really necessary to hit the siren like eight times a day? Of course it is!

According to the car’s original title, which is included with the sale, it was sold to the Greenville County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Department on June 8, 1984. Now, after years of service and a top notch cosmetic restoration, this LTD has to be one of the cleanest and nicest original Police cars available for purchase anywhere. ALL of this LTDs original police equipment is present and in excellent working order. Even cooler, its stalwart special order 5.0L Mustang V8 is loaded for bear and ready to hit the road. If you’re looking for a unique collector car that will start a conversation anywhere you take it, this LTD police car is your hot ticket.

Redesigned for the 1983 model year, the final generation American LTD utilized Ford’s venerable Fox platform to perfect a ‘downsized’ police car formula which began with the 1978 Fairmont. Because of its rear wheel drive layout and available V8, the LTD offered a variety of niche models that its front wheel drive cross-town rivals simply couldn’t compete with. One of those niche models was the 1984-85 LTD police package which combined the Mustangs 5.0 liter V8 with an enhanced suspension package from the LTD LX to create what many cops referred to as ‘the four door Mustang’. With a top speed of 123 MPH and a durable, performance proven platform, these tough little police cars were great at catching speeders and firmly established Ford as a leader in the fiercely loyal police market.

An official looking solid black car seems to be the prototypical vehicle of most law enforcement agencies, surpassed only by white in terms of popularity; which is most likely due to cheaper cost. Exceptionally maintained throughout its entire life and likely refurbished at some point as a public relations show piece, this vintage, real deal police car is in outstanding, era correct condition. Deep and glossy black lacquer paint hints that a detailed cosmetic restoration was likely completed many years ago (meaning the car probably spent very little time getting beat up on the streets before it was retired to show status) and its weather stripping is supple, its doors close tightly and there are no rattles or squeaks anywhere to be found. The car’s rust free body is as straight as when it left the factory displaying no blemishes or parking lot dings and its rich black paint is devoid of any major flaws. Based on appearance alone, it’s safe to assume this LTD was one lucky car which didn’t see much extreme use at all and, since its restoration, likely hasn’t been outside of a garage for more than a few hours at a time.

At the front of the car, Fords new for 1983 ‘aerodynamic nosepiece’ hangs a showroom fresh free standing chrome bumper below a pristine chrome grille, clear headlights and clear, corner mount parking lights. Behind that nose piece, the cars greenhouse displays like-new glass inside of pristine stainless trim and cool 80s style stainless window visors. On the outside of that greenhouse, a vintage, fully functional Federal Signal Twin Sonic light bar combines with Ford branded Unity A-pillar spotlights to grab attention, demand respect and light up the darkness. At the sides of the car, dent free stainless wheel well trim aligns perfectly with heavy side strips which are detailed with reflective tape, and bubble-free Greenville County Sheriff’s Office door decals look as fresh as they day they were applied. On the front fenders, reflective call-outs sit above bold “5.0 electronic fuel injection” badges, and on the rear quarters, retrofitted “9-1-1” decals perfectly match reflective division identifiers. Out back, heavy duty radio antennas frame a retrofitted, trunk mounted CHMSL above more matching 1987 dated decals and great looking original trunk emblems. Below those emblems a blacked-out tail light panel, that was borrowed from the LTD LX, hangs clear tri-color tail lights above a second free standing show-worthy chrome bumper.

Do I really need to tell anyone about the Mustang 5.0 in this car? I don’t think there’s another engine on the planet that has spawned a larger aftermarket parts development industry. For the LTD LX and LTD Police package, the 5.0 utilizes electronic fuel injection to produce 165 horsepower and create what many believe is the first true European inspired American sports sedan. Virtually indestructible, these engines have the potential to deliver astounding amounts of power despite maintaining very docile and civilized street manners. The 5.0 in this LTD is completely factory from its stainless air cleaner to its silver oil pan; and it creates a smooth, muted exhaust note which is so quiet you’ll have people checking the fenders again to make sure they read the “5.0” emblems correctly. Visually, the engine compartment is clean and factory correct; and mechanically, the tough 302 purrs as perfectly as these engines are known for.

Backing that tough 5.0 up is a standard Ford AOD 4-speed automatic transmission which combines with a police package exclusive 3.08 Traction-lok rear end to deliver good performance and surprising fuel economy. Around that drivetrain, a solid LTD LX performance suspension is upfitted with heavy duty hardware, 600 pound front coils, 270 pound rear coils and thick front and rear sway bars which reduce roll. Ford’s factory power steering helps flatten the curves, and heavy duty power 10 inch front disc and 10 inch rear drum brakes provide quick and precise stops. The satin black floors and frame are extremely clean, and there’s no evidence that this car has ever been wrecked, repaired or significantly altered in any way. At the corners, 14 inch black factory steel wheels wear great looking stainless center caps inside of modern 205/70 front and rear M+S radials.

Inside the car, an optional gray cloth interior (most police LTDs were vinyl) looks great and displays no signs of extreme wear and tear. The cloth seats are every bit as soft as they look, and help to create a driving environment that, despite all of its extra police equipment, is uncompromised and ready for long road trips. Between the seats, two center armrests sit behind a virtual collage of radio and electronic equipment which still functions just as well as it did back in 1984. Below the seats, an easy to clean vinyl floor features optional carpeted mats that perfectly match the cars solid and tight mouse fur headliner. At the center of the car, a vintage cage holds a correct gun rack, and at the sides of the car, great looking vinyl and carpet door panels feature chrome window cranks below chrome trimmed door handles which function according to which side of the law, and subsequently, which side of the cage you’re on. At the front of the car, a square wood trimmed dash props a blue Signal Stat teardrop light above controls for the cars HVAC and tape deck. In front of the passenger, optional auxiliary gauges keep an eye on oil pressure and water temperature, and in front of the driver, an LTD LX/Police car exclusive 140 MPH speedometer sits behind a black three spoke steering wheel. At the back of the cockpit, a fully carpeted and complete trunk features two more racks, a full size spare tire with a correct jack and more hard mounted radio equipment.

Included with this sale is the car’s original title which lists the owner as Greenville County, South Carolina effective June 8th 1984, two South Carolina inspection slips (one of which lists the owner as Greenville County, South Carolina) and the cars original owner’s manuals and warranty information.

If you want a real deal police car that has a ton of character and still retains all of its original police equipment, this LTD is your car. There’s surely no more than a handful of these rock solid cruisers left, and finding one that’s preserved to this level is next to impossible. Whether you’re stepping out to a cool Friday night cruise in or sprinting out for a Saturday morning run to your favorite pastry shop, this LTD is guaranteed attract fans and draw stares. Call today!