GMP 1:18 1992 Ford 5.0 LX Mustang Police Special- California Highway Patrol

The California Highway Patrol augmented their standard police cruisers with dedicated interceptors for high speed pursuit. They used 1979 Camaros until 1981 with rather poor results due to chronic powertrain problems. In 1982 Ford released their Mustang Severe Service package for limited use by the CHP to test them in high speed pursuit conditions. 406 of these early Severe Service Sedans were equipped with the standard 5.0L, 4-speed manual trans and there was little to distinguish them from standard assembly line vehicles. What sold CHP was its outstanding reliability, all around performance and low purchase price of $6800 per unit. After receiving outstanding reviews, Ford went ahead with a limited law enforcement option based on the 5.0 Mustang LX sedan platform now called the Special Service Package. These cars had few unique parts save items related to extended durability and convenience ergonomics like the trunk release relocated to the driver's side. Starting in 1985, they were equipped with larger 15"X7" steel wheels with plain center caps which would support high performance tires, a full sized spare tire/wheel, a 140mph calibrated speedometer, and a few other standard and optional parts. The reign of the 5.0 interceptor spanned 1982-1993 and in later models, many other features were added to increase cooling, upgraded electrical system, heavy duty seats and components that strengthened the car. Contrary to urban myths, there never was any high HP options like a 351CID, Ram Air, Hi-PO processor chips or other performance enhancers that would jeopardize Ford's warranty and liability exposure. Frankly, it wasn't needed or desired. It was that good. By '85, orders poured in from at least a half dozen states as well as federal agencies including the DEA, FBI, GSA and the US Air Force.

GMP has given us this highway predator in 1/18 scale and it's a mean machine. CHP did not equip their interceptors with the traditional roof mounted lightbar, employing red and white spots on the A pillars and the rear window sill. Perhaps that low profile allowed it to better sneak up on its speeding prey. GMP has done a great job capturing the lines and aggressive stance of this steroidal notchback. Prior releases of the '85 Mustang were hatchbacks with GT and Twister packages. This plain Jane LX Special Service package has the proper metal trim with only the bottom windscreen trim in antiglare black. The thick vinyl beltline trim that girds the car has been removed on the doors to allow for the CHP shield.

The rear light panel is beautifully rendered as are all the lenses on this car. The license plate bears the LE#, but I would have preferred a period license plate instead. The 15" stamped steel wheels are shod with beautiful Goodyear Eagles that have just the right sidewall sheen and the accurate tread pattern has been buffed to give it that slightly used look. The badging and scripts are all tampo'd but are so sharp and opaque as to appear almost 3-D. The CHP graphics are superb and not easily applied over the beltline stamping that was exposed when the trim was deleted on the door. The conventional spare that completed the package is inaccessible on this model but mounted on the uncarpeted floor of the trunk are a pump action shotgun and what appears to be an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle. These are removable from their carriers.

The hood opens on fairly unobtrusive arc hinges and reveal a very nice engine compartment. Both the trunk and engine bay are devoid of manufacturer's specs and instructions. I was looking for the special DSO plate on the radiator support and the decal on the door. The battery is also generic. That said, there's a beautiful model of the 5.0L here with the twin snorkel air cleaner,real rubber belts, radio noise suppresion shroud over the wired distributor. The parts are nicely scaled and textured with adequate paint detailing, although on the police series, the molded details on the firewall are not picked out with paint as they are on their civilian brothers. The undercarriage is really decent on these Mustangs. Suspension and drivetrain components are really crammed in on these little 'Stangs and it appears sacrifices were made in the favor of a faithful look rather than operational features. The suspension, although sporting real metal coil springs is static and the wheels are poseable but not linked to the steering wheel. I don't care. It's so much better looking than the Camaro solution.

The interior is kind of an unfinished symphony. The doors open and close easily on hinges that would be invisible save that they are part of the door and are white against the black frame. The interior is a spartan monochrome buff color including the carpeting which extends to the lower segment of the door panel. The seats are soft vinyl and articulated. There is no sill plate and the hardware is molded in and unpainted. The dash is adequately done with sharp legible gauges. There a pedestal mounted "Whelen" console unit on the passenger side that provides communication , P.A.. light and siren control but there is no restraint system and the headliner detail is absent. The visors are clear extensions of the windscreen glazing and although the insde of the roof is painted matching buff, it is marred with melted locator pins that secure the front and rear glazing pieces. All of this is not readily noticeable from any normal viewing angle, however.

Well, there's the ups and downs of this diecast. Personally, I love it. There's a lot here to love. I am, I have to admit, a Ford guy, but that aside, it's just a mean looking machine that, when displayed with all those muscle cars, seems to keep a glaring eye out for anyone that gets out of line. The look is "Eric Estrada Meets Mad Max". 4 1/2 stars.

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