10-11-2021, 08:48 AM
1. Police vehicles have calibrated speedos. Date of calibration may be asked in court. Speed could also be compared with radar display...fond memories of hitting the shotgun barrel with a tuning fork to check radar calibration at the beginning of a shift. The Matador that I drove was unmarked (only red spot and siren) and not radar equipped.
2. This article states 140 MPH for a 69 Plymouth 383 and gives accolades to the AMC Matador (401): https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/lapds-finest
3. Most police vehicles in my department (1977-1993) were capable of just over 122 MPH, excluding off-road enforcement.
4. Chevy Novas (late seventies/early eighties) had good speed and cornered OK, but suspension for driving over curbs was limited. A Nova on one pursuit (armed robbery) went air-born over railroad tracks and took the vehicle out of commission, although the robber lost a subsequent foot pursuit
5. Many military police vehicles of the sixties were less than peppy...many were straight sixes.
6. Be interesting to research the LAPD freeway flyer Oldsmobiles of the sixties...
Another trip down memory lane!
2. This article states 140 MPH for a 69 Plymouth 383 and gives accolades to the AMC Matador (401): https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/lapds-finest
3. Most police vehicles in my department (1977-1993) were capable of just over 122 MPH, excluding off-road enforcement.
4. Chevy Novas (late seventies/early eighties) had good speed and cornered OK, but suspension for driving over curbs was limited. A Nova on one pursuit (armed robbery) went air-born over railroad tracks and took the vehicle out of commission, although the robber lost a subsequent foot pursuit
5. Many military police vehicles of the sixties were less than peppy...many were straight sixes.
6. Be interesting to research the LAPD freeway flyer Oldsmobiles of the sixties...
Another trip down memory lane!