Do I have an ex cop car?

[saladine1]

I've recently bought a VK 5.0.
Now, upon closer inspection, it seems the car could be an ex chaser of some sorts.
Granted, it doesn't have BT1 at the end of the model number which is: vk8vk19, but does have some signs it could be.
Paint code is: 1B079 which is said to be 'Police Blue' (South Australian Police).
It also has the speedo with more 'notches' in it.
Another sign I see is that the Cerulean interior is in pretty good condition apart from the driver's seat which is worn and torn where a gun holster would be positioned if a cop would be sitting down.
What other signs should I like for and did all cop cars have BT1 imprinted on the plate?

[greenfoam]

If it's a VK 5 litre and it's Police blue then it should be a South Australian highway patrol, I've never seen a public car painted that colour from the factory. They are nice machines, very collectable, I've been a couple ex SA VK's and VL's and they are all beasts. The BT1 code is a option and would be on the optional plate if it's there

[VK SL 3800]

Vk cop cars have round speedos and finer markings on the tacho.

[saladine1]

Vk cop cars have round speedos and finer markings on the tacho.

That's exactly what the car has got.
I've just seen another car on Australian Muscle Cars website, that has the exact trim,paint and I.D number also without the 'BT1' at the end of the I.D tag. That car is described as an ex South Australian Police vehicle which suggests that mine could also be an ex chaser.
Not that it matters now mind you, as colour and driveline has been changed!

[STEALTHY™]

Thats bad news if it is an ex cop car. I'd stay away from cars that are guaranteed to have been thrashed

[VK SL 3800]

Well it sure does look like youve got yourself an ex-cop car.

[greenfoam]

You should paint it the original blue, they are the best Commodores ever

[VKCOMMO]

Thats bad news if it is an ex cop car. I'd stay away from cars that are guaranteed to have been thrashed

YEah, most ex coppers are thrashed

[06vzcalais]

atleast they didnt mention police chips or stealth modes
must be a good example exspesh a vk ex chasser which would be atleast 20 years old
how manny k's on the clock of the beast

[BADTR1P]

YEah, most ex coppers are thrashed

true, but police are also required to have their cars checked and thoroughly serviced often. while they have no doubt been thrashed they were at the same time looked after.

still i'd prefer one that wasn't an ex-cop.

[saladine1]

The car had 153000 km's on the clock before I replaced everything.
It was in excellent condition I might add, apart from the driver's seat being worn.

[Colby844]

that forever it doesnt have BT1 on the plates is a real worry aye hmmm i have 2 ex cop cars one VH yellow D 1008 paint code and yeh a white VK one with just the everyday j 052 or whatever it is alpine white? anyhow my armchair expert mate reckons its an old taxi!! and yep cause it aint got BT1 on the plate well after exhaustive research it appears only the last few of the VH- VK cop cars got stamped with the BT1 option code probly oct85 onward and then most likely only the manual highway patrol cars yep not the general duty automatic cop cars- these had the lights on the roof etc just non modified engines so yes you most certainly have an ex police car you just gotta listen to everyone harp on bout does it have BT1 on the tags oh by the way mine dont have bt1 anywhere but yeh segmented speedos duel horns holes in roof wires goin nowhere look under the dash left hand side of the steering colum ah ha!! 2 little neat holes where the cb was ripper!!! Ha! Ha! true though

[mikee]

are they worth more to collectors?

[STEALTHY™]

are they worth more to collectors?

Depends on who the person is. Personally i wouldn't want a car that was thrashed, would you buy an ex rental car? Just asking for trouble in my eyes....

[mikee]

true i guess..just would have to be rare as..

[saladine1]

I would think nearly any V8 Commodore has been thrashed!

[STEALTHY™]

I would think nearly any V8 Commodore has been thrashed!

Depends what you mean by thrashed. When i say thrashed, i mean launching over gutters/roundabouts/speed humps at full speed. I know people who drive there car hard, but they dont do that stuff.....

[mikee]

mine hasnt been thrashed..i certainly never launched over gutters..LMAO

[mistergTRx]

silly question, but do you still have the owners book?
we had a VK ex pursuit and the owners handbook had certain details blacked out, stiffened suspension also had the black motor
awesome car to drive
i wish we didnt sell it

[saladine1]

No owners book.
I thought by thrashed you meant just gunning it. Well, I do agree then, that doing dukes of hazard fly by's isn't something you would really like for your car to be involved in.

[Tree cutter]

Some of the highway patrol cars were stroked to 350 cubes.

[ari666]

Some of the highway patrol cars were stroked to 350 cubes.

true story:
HDT VL 5.6 liter black.
231Kw@4400
536nm@3200

NICE!