Author:
Buz (CHARLES???) fan
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 23:49:31 07/07/02 Sun
In reply to:
John Henry
's message, "Two Cop car articles!" on 15:11:40 07/07/02 Sun
Unusual for the Times but there are typos on their web site however they are minor. Example: the paper says "parts; the web site "components." There was no mention of COPCAR.COM. Dave Arnold is credited with photos of a Mustang and a Camaro. The third article follows.
USED COP CARS? THEY'RE A STEAL- by George P. Blumberg, NY Times, July 7, 2002
Private citizens cannot order a new police car. But anyone - collectors, performance enthusiasts or just the thrifty - can buy a used model at auction or through a dealer like Charles (Buz) Bowling of Southern Motor Company in Charlotte, N.C.
"I know which agencies take care of their cars," said Mr. Bowling, who also restores police cars as a hobby. "The North Carolina Highway Patrol has probably the best cars in the country. They turn their cars loose with only 75,000. They buy them with an eye toward resale, equipping them with carpeting, extra trim, tilt and cruise."
State agencies generally maintain cars the best, said Mr. Bowling. But Greg Reynolds, a Chicago police officer and fellow restorer, said vehicles used by counties or small towns could be good deals. "They usually only work eight hours a day, assigned to one officer, with lots of highway use," he said.
Trooper First Class Thomas Kollar of the Connecticut State Police is assigned his own car, since he is essentially always on call. "We're responsible for keeping them clean and in good shape," he said. "We change the oil every 3,000 miles and get a tuneup every 30,000."
He'll run his immaculate Crown Victoria for 40,000 or 50,000 miles, when it will go to a junior trooper. At around 80,000 miles it will become a spare car for the troop, until, at 120,000, it goes to auction.
Mr. Bowling recently offered a pristine 1998 Ford with 38,000 miles for $10,000, and a 1994 Caprice in "very nice" condition for $4,800. He fully services each car he buys, replaces worn tires and hoses and removes the decals.
Police gear is never included, and citizens cannot drive a car with markings. Impersonating an officer is a serious offense. - GEORGE P. BLUMBERG
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
|
Feedback: 