Police Car: Ford Mustang LX Highway Patrol Edition
Arguably, Ford has been a dominant supplier of various kinds of police cars to the American law enforcement division. In these sections, we will be briefly considering certain aspects of the Ford Mustang LX highway patrol edition. The Texas police department had an uncanny affection to these cars. The Texas Department of Public Safety happens to be the third biggest user of the Ford Mustang LX (according to the figures released by the company). We now know that the same car was alternatively termed as the Ford Mustang SSP (special service package).
The police department was finding it very difficult to handle the heavy sized sedans released by Ford. As a remedial measure to the scenario, the auto manufacturer came up with the Ford Mustang LX. This car was lighter than the passenger cars released during those times. Keeping in tune with the requirements, the company included a 5.0L V8 engine on the Ford Mustang LX. Consistent revamping of the fuel injection systems paved the way for the use of sequential multi-port fuel injection mechanisms in the Ford Mustang LX. Reinforced pistons specially forged for the car to keep up with the immense power generated are another noteworthy aspect of the vehicle.
A five speed manual system was the default setup. The Texas highway patrol invested on a few four-speed automatic pony car models too. The officers liked to cruise around in the vehicles affixed with the AOD (automatic overdrive) gear shifting mechanisms. It also enabled the officer to use the hands for other important purposes such as communicating with the peers while conducting high-speed chases. Disc brakes on all the wheels, coolers for cooling the transmission fluid systems, dual exhaust - the company included all these facilities on the Ford Mustang LX. The vehicle, although designed for high speed chases came with robust stabilization bars to improve the handling under any strenuous conditions.
A powerful air-conditioning mechanism (thanks to the 130, 135 amps) alternator enabled the officers to travel across long distances in comfort. The vehicle could easily reach the top-rated speed of 140mph and the subsequent versions claimed a maximum speed of 160mph. The company also took care of the safety aspects of the vehicle's occupants. The aluminum wheels included with the Ford Mustang LX enabled it to scale these speeds very easily and effortlessly. Ford had this habit of designing vehicles according to the requirements listed by the respective police departments. For instance, when someone requested for reinforced roll cages, the others would ask for power windows.
Although it is tough to come across one of these models these days, the Ford Mustang LX enjoyed its own share of limelight during those eras. Private collectors own a fair percentage of these cars; they use these rides to score high among their friends or use it for recreational purposes. It is tough to find a 5.0L car that can outperform the car. Illegal drag races conducted regularly across the country often features the Ford Mustang LX.