1982 – California Highway Patrol Mustang

In 1981, the California Highway Patrol requested Mustangs from Ford to test as high speed enforcement vehicles. Big block police cars were now a thing of the past, and the full-size Ford Crown Victoria’s were underpowered for pursuit duty. The California Highway Patrol had performed an 18-month test of the 1979 Chevy Camaro Z-28, but chose to not keep them as part of their fleet.

The California Highway Patrol ended up with 406 Mustangs in 1982. It’s reported that anywhere from 4-6 of those were hatchbacks. These vehicles were equipped with:

  • 5.0L Engine (157 horsepower & 240 ft-lbs torque)
  • 4-Speed manual transmission
  • Calibrated Certified speedometer, 2 MPH increment, 140 MPH
  • Single-key locking (one key fits all)
  • Full-size spare tire
  • Radio noise suppression package
  • Relocated deck lid release
  • California Highway Patrol’s black and white paint scheme.

(California Highway Patrol 1982 SSP Ford Mustang Hatchback)

1983 – 1993 Ford Offers the ‘Special Service Package’ Mustang

1983-1985 SSP Ford Mustang:

(Georgia State Patrol 1983 SSP Ford Mustang)

In 1983, Ford made the Mustang available to other law enforcement agencies and changed its name to ‘Special Service Package’.

The 1983-1985 Special Service Package included:

  • 5.0L Engine (175 horsepower & 245 ft-lbs torque)
  • Automatic or 5-Speed manual transmission option (1983 had an additional 4-Speed option)
  • Calibrated Certified speedometer, 2 MPH increment, 140 MPH
  • 2-piece VASCAR speedometer cable
  • Single-key locking (one key fits all)
  • Radio noise suppression package
  • Relocated deck release
  • Full size spare

140 MPH Certified Calibration Speedometer

1986-1988 SSP Ford Mustang:

(Texas DPS 1986 SSP Ford Mustang)

Note: Ford switched the SSP rear axle from the 7.5-Inch rear end to the 8.8-Inch rear end in 1986.

The 1986-1988 Special Service Package included:

  • 5.0L Engine (200 horsepower & 265 ft-lbs torque)
  • Automatic or 5-Speed manual transmission option (1983 had an additional 4-Speed option)
  • Calibrated Certified speedometer, 2 MPH increment, 140 MPH
  • 2-piece VASCAR speedometer cable
  • Single-key locking (one key fits all)
  • Radio noise suppression package
  • Relocated deck release
  • Full size spare
  • Air deflector, lower front radiator
  • Silicone hoses
  • Front disc brake rotor shields
  • Reinforced front floor pan
  • Aircraft type radiator/heater hose clamps
  • Heater hose inlet restrictor
  • Automatic transmission external oil cooler (1988)
  • HD 15×7 steel wheels (1985-1986)
  • Optional Blackout 15×7 cast wheels (1987-1988)
  • Cast aluminum 10 hole 15×7 wheels (1987-1988)
  • Engine/trunk compartment light (1986-1988)
  • Kevlar drive belts (1986-1988)
  • HD belt tensioner (1986-1988)
  • Transistorized voltage regulator (1986-1988)

SSP Mustang Oil Cooler

1989-1993 SSP Ford Mustang:

The 1989-1993 Special Service Package included:

  • 5.0L Engine (225 horsepower & 300 ft-lbs torque)
  • Automatic or 5-Speed manual transmission option (1983 had an additional 4-Speed option)
  • Calibrated Certified speedometer, 2 MPH increment, 140 MPH (1989)
  • Calibrated Certified speedometer, 2 MPH increment, 160 MPH (1990-1993)
  • 2-piece VASCAR speedometer cable
  • Single-key locking (one key fits all)
  • Radio noise suppression package
  • Relocated deck release
  • Full size spare
  • Air deflector, lower front radiator
  • Silicone hoses
  • Front disc brake rotor shields
  • Reinforced front floor pan
  • Aircraft type radiator/heater hose clamps
  • Heater hose inlet restrictor
  • Automatic transmission external oil cooler
  • Engine oil cooler
  • Cast aluminum 10 hole 15×7 wheels
  • Optional Blackout 15×7 cast wheels (1989)

160 MPH Certified Calibration Speedometer

(1987-1989 Ford Mustang SSP Performance Results)

End of Service:

Sadly, 1993 was the last year for the SSP Mustang. Ford did not include it in the new Mustang platform for 1994. Ford produced nearly 15,000 of these Mustangs from 1982-1993. All SSP Mustangs, except for (5) 1982 hatchbacks produced for the California Highway Patrol, were coupe or ‘notchback’ style cars.

There are many people out there now that search for these vehicles and restore them. Some even restore them back to their in-service condition (with lights and markings) and display them in shows.

Links:

What is a Special Service Package Ford Mustang Worth?

How to Identify Special Service Package (SSP) Mustangs

Commercial: