1978 was the last year for the 440 cubic inch V8 in any Chrysler Corporation police vehicle. After years of being the ultimate option, with little challenge in the way from Ford, sporadic challenges from General Motors, and a solid competitor in the American Motors Matador, the 440 had to bow to the ultimate calling card of the times: the end of the large cubic-inch V8 engine. The energy crisis had taken it’s toll, the government regulations had cut into the grunt, and the EPA had done their work. Still, for what was available at the time, a 440-powered Mopar was still the speed junkie’s way to go. And it was the cop favorite, too…the biggest brakes in the industry, the TorqueFlite automatic and Sherman tank-like durability saw fleets all over the country stock up on the likes of Fury, Monaco, Gran Fury, Satellite, and even 360-powered Aspens and Volarés as patrols.
Ordinarily, a 1977 Plymouth Gran Fury would be another Malaise tank that is interesting simply because somebody hadn’t junked it yet. But this one is the big, bad machine that worried truck drivers, kept speed demons nervous, and was the scourge of the professional hood. The four-digit code at the beginning of the VIN tells the tale: PK41, “Plymouth, police package, four-door sedan”. Need more proof? Well, get past seven-point-two liters of torque, and note the 140-MPH certified speedometer or the suspension that looked more at home underneath a Plymouth Suburban wagon with a towing package. Or check out the options tag for the A38 code that also signified police package. This car is a former Montana Highway Patrol unit that nearly met it’s end in a demolition derby. It’s not pretty, but it’s stout and it could be a hell of a lot of fun. $4,000 buys the Plymouth. Spend the rest of the $5,000 budget on giving that big-block a bit of that 1970 spirit, and try not to quote Blues Brothers lines, okay?
Washington State Patrol has several old restored Patrol cars. It would be cool if this was saved and restored. Don’t let Deaf Bob get it, he will derby it to death!!!
Even in 1977, those cars were good for 135-140 given enough straight, flat road. Now, by modern standards, these things were not exactly (Pontiac)Trans-Am killers, but they did handle pretty damn good. Apparently, with upgraded bushings in the hardware, and a thorough rebuild of the suspension, they still handle pretty good.