Just did something stupid?

[88LTDCV351]

As some of you may know, I have a fondness for vintage police cars. Maybe I watched too much Dukes of Hazard growing up.

Anyway, I bought on Sunday on ebay an old 69 Dodge ex-CHP car in need of full restoration. The guy says it has the 440 block. Its in Santa Cruz. I have to check with my local storage place in Livermore on the cost of storing the vehicle. Not planning on fixing it up right away but someday want to restore it to its former glory. A little nervious because this is my first major real project. Might give my old Crown Vic ex-police car to my nephew to drive as his first car.

Wish me luck.

[Hadamustang1]

PICS PLEASE..

[bigcowl-imp]

OH BOY i hope you were not smoking some good stuff sunday when you where on ebay lol...........pics please.

[RacerX]

.............................

[Roadwarrior]

Great choice for a police package vehicle. Dodge or Plymouth ex-police cars are one of a few in my "bucket list" to have & restore, especially the year that you just purchased. Good luck in your project & pictures please.

[88LTDCV351]

I just talked to the guy on the phone. It was part of an estate sale. He agreed to get me a title first from his local DMV since he only had something from the lawyer from the estate sale since they couldn't find a title. He recommended a tow guy so I just have to find a place to store it. But do I need to insure the car if its not currently operative? I think storage facilities require insurance. Will Haggerty insure a car that needs restoration?

[Brad33]

Sounds cool.

Have you seen this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0pjW8Ss0WI

[88LTDCV351]

Yes, I've seen that video. But I got the bug with the Hemmings article here: http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2007/05/01/hmn_feature15.html


Sounds cool.

Have you seen this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0pjW8Ss0WI

[martyo]

PICS PLEASE..

Yeah, seriously!

[NXSBOB]

PICS PLEASE..


Yeah, seriously!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Dodge-Polara-ex-highway-patrol-car-police-car-440-V8-/161234883475?forcerrptr=true&item=161234883475&pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item258a591393&nma=true&si=l%252BkQS3da5PTgqBIzCWpZGl2 1Ph4%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

[gpfarrell]

140 mph speedo and A/C? What's not to like? 100x more interesting than a Mustang/Camaro/Corvette.

[88LTDCV351]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Dodge-Polara-ex-highway-patrol-car-police-car-440-V8-/161234883475?forcerrptr=true&item=161234883475&pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item258a591393&nma=true&si=l%252BkQS3da5PTgqBIzCWpZGl2 1Ph4%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Yeah, that is the one

[88LTDCV351]

I'm not finding a storage facility local that wants to store a currently non-operative car. But I'll keep researching.

If I can't find a place, I looked at DAS autoshippers and it sounds like they don't need much to ship it to my parents in the midwest where they would keep it for me until I have time to get things done to it. DAS does inoperative cars also and don't need insurance or registration. They insure it during transport. They do need a key if the wheels lock. So I would have to get one made.

I think it best to not paypal the money over until he has a title he can sign over to me. Not sure its legal for him to sell it to me without a title. He should be the one responsible for converting the estate sale documents into a useable title with the DMV. I don't think that should fall on me in case there are complications. On the phone call, he did say he would try to get a title for me and that it shouldn't be hard to do. I imagine its going to take a number of days before the DMV sends him one even if he goes to the DMV office.

I offered to meet up with him on Saturday to discuss in order to show my good intentions.

[bigcowl-imp]

$5,000 ?? and its a 4 door ?? and it needs floor pans ???

[88LTDCV351]

$5,000 ?? and its a 4 door ?? and it needs floor pans ???

If you are familiar with the cop car restoration hobby, ex-CHP are highly sought after, especially the big block era. Yes, it is a restoration project since the car is over 40 years old.

[dohc324ci]

haha kewl good luck with that project bud! your going to need to sell your Vortech SC to fund this project...lol ill call dibs first.

[88LTDCV351]

Brian,
Well, the guy has yet to indicate he has gotten a title. On the phone he did offer to get one and said it shouldn't be hard to do. I haven't heard from him for a few days but I understand it might take time since I think the CHP has to verify the VIN, that the car isn't stolen, etc.. I think it should be his responsibility to go through these steps and to get his title first since he was the one that has the attorney paperwork from buying the car from the estate sale. I'm sure the letter from the attorney about the original title not being found would have to be in the original buyers name since I'm seperated from these by a few more degrees of seperation. I wouldn't want to be the one stuck with complications if he can't get his title first. I haven't paypaled any money yet until he has a title with his name that he can sign over to me. I offered to go down there to look at the car and talk with him. Wanted to make sure everything was on the up and up.

In anticipation, I've been looking at storage facilities. Not finding one that is inoperative car friendly yet. :bigcry: Was hoping to not have to dump more money into the car right now.

I felt the need to move on this car because for those in the know, the survivor 69 Dodges with the 440 big block is one of the holy grails of cop car restoration.

As far as the Vortech kit, I still have that project on the backburner as well.

[Hadamustang1]

Ship it to gas monkey garage.. with a big old bag of cash in the trunk..

[gdmjoe]

Even though it's not a 1974 ...

Does it have ... A cop motor, a four hundred and forty cubic inch plant, cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks? BTW ... it's made before catalytic converters, so it'll run good on regular gas.

:D
.

[champ1173]

Good luck on your build, if it happens. It looks like you got your work cut out for you.

[88LTDCV351]

$5,000 ?? and its a 4 door ?? and it needs floor pans ???

I thought we all liked Marauders here? Marauders have the utility of 4 doors. lol

Anywho, we met the guy on Saturday and looked at the car I won on ebay. Awesome piece of Americana. Car was what I had always dreamed about owning and fixing up (for those in the know, this is the "holy grail" of vintage police car restoration). Very hard to find survivor 1969 Dodge Polara police pursuit with the super rare 375 horsepower 440 big block E86.

We went back and forth so many times on giving him the money but in the end we couldn't help but thinking we were in over our heads in this restoration project. I would be our first real major project and maybe we got cold feet or felt a bit out of our league and overwhelmed. Already regretting that decision, but it is what it is. Maybe there will be another for sale someday. Although the old Chevy's had the 454 big block, they were excessively overweight so the 69 Polara was often considered the height of the police car days just as many consider the 1970 Chevelle to be the height of the muscle car wars.

I had called about 15 storage facilities and all were anti-inoperative car projects for storage. Don't know where I would have stored the old thing while I had it fixed up.

The seller already had another possible buyer lined up for more money so he was gracious about us backing out of the deal.

I'll upload some pics.

[88LTDCV351]

I'll upload some pics.

The rare ivory steering wheel would indicate a possible ex-CHP vehicle.

[88LTDCV351]

more pictures of the Dodge. It does need a lot of work for sure but that was to be expected.

[88LTDCV351]

Some more pictures to come

[88LTDCV351]

I was taking the pictures so my brother is in some of them

[88LTDCV351]

Now here is the beautiful part of the car

[88LTDCV351]

E86 was indicated on the radiator support

[88LTDCV351]

Dude, I miss this car already, lol.

[88LTDCV351]

a nice side view

[88LTDCV351]

another picture

[88LTDCV351]

Floor actually seemed pretty sturdy to me except for this hole. A new floor pan is about $1,500.

[88LTDCV351]

Going to need a new interior

[88LTDCV351]

more of the interior

[88LTDCV351]

top speed 147 MPH

[88LTDCV351]

utility of 4 doors

[88LTDCV351]

In the end, it probably wasn't a good time to take on another car project. Especially with me and my boss not getting along. She has been my boss since my former boss retired and I can't stand her. I might quit and then might need the money anyway.

[Joe Walsh]

I can't blame you for passing on the deal.....
Cool old CHP car but...
That Polara needed a LOT of work...

What year are these Polaras?

p0xE-68P4ao


CHP Officer Hanks driving a modified 440 Dodge:

"I'm gonna stick right up your ass this time, buddy!

I'm gonna eat your lunch, you long-haired faggot!

Keep going partner, 'cause my top end is unlimited! "

[88LTDCV351]

I can't blame you for passing on the deal.....
Cool old CHP car but...
That Polara needed a LOT of work...

What year are these Polaras?"

I'm going to say 1972 http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2009/07/01/hmn_feature6.html

[lifespeed]

Those are cool old cars, but that thing needs a *lot* of work! You doing to the meet this Saturday in Santa Cruz?

[88LTDCV351]

Yep, me and my girlfriend are planning on being there. Oh, and my Marauder too. :)

[GODFATHER]

looks like fun.. more than what i would of paid but them old doges bring money ..good luck have fun ;)

[88LTDCV351]

I'm actually more partial to the 70 and 71 body style. So maybe one of those will come along. The 71 sacrificed about 5 horsepower though.

[71cyclone]

As some of you may know, I have a fondness for vintage police cars. Maybe I watched too much Dukes of Hazard growing up.

Anyway, I bought on Sunday on ebay an old 69 Dodge ex-CHP car in need of full restoration. The guy says it has the 440 block. Its in Santa Cruz. I have to check with my local storage place in Livermore on the cost of storing the vehicle. Not planning on fixing it up right away but someday want to restore it to its former glory. A little nervious because this is my first major real project. Might give my old Crown Vic ex-police car to my nephew to drive as his first car.

Wish me luck. Man ,you got a keeper!! / the TNT 440 Polara was the fastest mass produced cruzer of the time ,140plus with no problem ,even considering the aerodynamics of a Brick ..:burnout::burnout::burnout:

[88LTDCV351]

I am starting to regret walking away from that car. I knew exactly what it was and how rare and sought after it was. Its one I've always wanted. Just not sure with my work situation that I should dump money into another car project right now. I'm looking for a better job.

So what should I have even looked for to even make sure the car was "restorable"?

[71cyclone]

I am starting to regret walking away from that car. I knew exactly what it was and how rare and sought after it was. Its one I've always wanted. Just not sure with my work situation that I should dump money into another car project right now. I'm looking for a better job.

So what should I have even looked for to even make sure the car was "restorable"?
last month Mopar magazine did a Resto on the 1973 CHP [cvc] Civilian violator car.. one of one Coronet ,that sat for 12 years at the EVOC Motor shop [CHP repair facility ] during its run ,they blew up numerous engines in 144,556 miles//// the condition was similar to your Polara .the owner also has a 57 CHP Mercury in the garage :banana2:

[88LTDCV351]

Here is an interesting video my brother found on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD2uj66f-c8

[stryker]

Yeah Mang Me too... I think in a Sport crap compact car, but I solve it quickly, walk out of my house and look my Panther Interceptor and go back normal. :burnout:

[88LTDCV351]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261993821266?_trksid=p2060353. m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Was going to pull the trigger on this one but my girlfriend said no. She wants my money to go toward a ring and wedding first, then I can save up for another old bluesmobile.

So stay tuned for someday.

[NXSBOB]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261993821266?_trksid=p2060353. m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Was going to pull the trigger on this one but my girlfriend said no. She wants my money to go toward a ring and wedding first, then I can save up for another old bluesmobile.

So stay tuned for someday.
I thought you learned a lesson on these last year!:violin:

[88LTDCV351]

I thought you learned a lesson on these last year!:violin:

Yeah, but this one actually runs. lol

[lifespeed]

Yeah, but this one actually runs. lol

Yeah, that last one was an overpriced wreck. Far better to let somebody else dump blood, sweat and money in it. Then sell it to you for pennies on the dollar. Not that different from a very fixed-up Marauder . . . :D

[88LTDCV351]

I think someone on here posted a video from Donut and I found another interesting Youtube video from him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNmRDRfnX6U

And also this which I posted before for those who haven't seen it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0pjW8Ss0WI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jDy7mD4WyU

[88LTDCV351]

Here is another video that someone shared on Facebook with me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuyhKjyxN3w