The 1964 Ford Custom 500 Police Package
The 1964 Ford Custom 500 police package was a heavy-duty, high-performance variant of Ford’s base full-size sedan, designed for maximum durability and high-speed pursuit.
Engine & Performance
The defining feature of this package was the “P-Code” engine option, though other configurations were available for different service needs.
P-Code 390 V8: A specialized “Police Interceptor” 390 cubic-inch V8 engine producing 330 horsepower and 427 lb-ft of torque. It featured a 10.0:1 compression ratio and a 4-barrel carburetor.
Alternative Engines: Depending on the assignment (e.g., city patrol vs. highway pursuit), departments could also spec a 223 cubic-inch Inline-6 or other V8 options like the 289.
Transmissions: Standard was a fully synchronized 3-speed manual, with a 4-speed manual or the “Interceptor Cruise-O-Matic” automatic available as options.
Police-Specific Upgrades
The package, often referred to under marketing names like the Police Sentinel or Police Guardian, included several “maximum-duty” components:
Hi-Speed & Handling Package: Equipped with heavy-duty springs, specialized shock absorbers, and a thick front stabilizer bar for high-speed stability.
Heavy-Duty Braking: Featured large-area hydraulic drum brakes with special fade-resistant lining and groove-cooled drums.
Electrical & Cooling: Upgraded with high-output alternators (up to 60-amp) and extra-cooling viscous drive fans to handle long idling periods and emergency equipment loads.
Wheels & Tires: While retail models used 14-inch wheels, police units typically utilized 15-inch wheels with specialized 6.70 x 15 tubeless tires for better heat dissipation and durability.
Interior & Trim
The Custom 500 was the upper trim of the base “Custom” series.
Durability: Interior features included nylon carpeting (replacing the base Custom’s rubber mats) and heavy-duty upholstery.
Instruments: Some units were equipped with a specialized certified calibration speedometer with 2-mph increments for accurate speed tracking.
Body Styles: Primarily available as 2-door or 4-door sedans to maintain structural rigidity.
This Car
This specific car is equipped with:
- Federal Beacon Ray red rotating beacon
- Fender mounted stop signal
- Unity spotlight
- Rear amber deck light
- Under hood siren
- Whip antenna
Iowa Highway Patrol
The State Patrol was created in 1935 as the Iowa Highway Safety Patrol after an act creating the Patrol was passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor. More than 3,000 men applied for the role, but only 50 men got the job. They got paid $100 a month and had to buy their own ammunition. On July 28, 1935, they officially began patrolling the highways. Later that same year, the word Safety was dropped from the name, and the unit became known simply as the Iowa Highway Patrol. In 1972, the word “Patrolman” was replaced with “Trooper”, and in 1975, the name had changed again to reflect the change that Iowans felt was needed; the Iowa Highway Patrol became known as the Iowa State Patrol. The change was quickly reflected by the difference in the uniform shoulder patches, and by the wording of the logos on the car doors.
Below is a 1964 Ford Custom 500 Iowa High Patrol Car. This is what the car would have looked like in service. It’s just missing the Iowa Highway Patrol decal on the dog.
Although a Chevy, here’s a color of the cars from the 1960’s.
This next photo shows the door logo after it was changed to ‘Iowa State Patrol’.
Links
Iowa State Patrol | Iowa Department of Public Safety
Iowa State Patrol – Join Iowa DPS
Video
Photo Gallery
About The Author
Code 3 Garage
I started my career as a police officer in 1989 with the Geneva on The Lake Police Department. I worked part time as a police officer and full time as a Security Sergeant doing armed mobile security patrols for a local security company. In 1990 I became a State Trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. During my career as a State Trooper I was certified as a Technical Crash Investigator, OPOTA Police Instructor, OPOTA Police Driving Instructor, LASER Instructor, and received awards for ACE (Auto Larceny) and Post Trooper of The Year. Code 3 Garage is a mix of my inner automotive gearhead, and public safety background. I hope you enjoy it!
