Decommissioned police cruisers have always been one of the best ways to get a top-spec muscle car with upgrades you won't typically find on a second-hand civilian model. You might not love the sight of a cop car in your rearview mirror, but there's nothing like having your own Bluesmobile in the driveway.
While we'd love to get our hands on that 1,000-hp Dodge Challenger they took off a drug dealer in Texas, one of our favorites has to be the Chevrolet Caprice PPV, a car which, in its sixth generation, was only offered as a fleet vehicle in the US. Specifically, it was sold as a 355-hp cop car with stiffened suspension. With the police decals removed, it's an awesome sleeper. But buying one in good condition might be easier said than done.
What Makes The Caprice PPV So Cool?
If we're being completely honest, part of the reason we love the Caprice is the fact that it's so hard to come by. The car was never available as a standard retail model, meaning that, if you weren't a cop, you could forget about driving one brand-new. That alone makes this car that much cooler. But, putting all of that aside, it's just a heck of sleeper, with the appearance of a boring rental car, and the beating heart of an Australian muscle car.
| 2017 Chevrolet Caprice PPV | |
| Engine | 6.0-Liter NA 8-Cylinder |
| Power | 355 hp |
| Torque | 384 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 0-60 mph | 5.9–6.2 seconds |
The sixth-gen Caprice doesn't have much to do with earlier iterations of the car. It's actually a rebadged Holden WM Caprice, a full-size rear-wheel-drive luxury car sold in Australia. In its heyday, Holden was sort of Australia's GM, to Ford's... well, Ford. The two brands had at least as storied a rivalry down under as Chevy and Ford had here in the US, so it's only natural that Chevrolet would go to Holden for help competing against Ford Fusions and Ford Tauruses in the fleet car segment.
The Police-Spec Caprice Is Packed With Cool Upgrades
This is a cop car, so there's more to it than just the engine specs. Standard upgrades and a black paintjob essentially make the PPV a street-legal Batmobile, wanting only a set of tail fins to complete the look. To go over some of the cooler features of the V8 police package.
- Cloth bucket seats sculpted for gun belts
- Cloth bench seat in the back
- Programmable door locks to enable or disable remote unlocking
- Dual note horn
- 2.92 axle ratio with limited slip differential
- Patrol vehicle specific shocks, spring, and stabilizer bar tuning for a stiffer ride
In addition to these, you've got plenty of upgrades to keep you comfortable on the daily commute, even when you're not chasing burglars and bank robbers. Dual-zone air conditioning, a 12-volt power outlet, remote engine start, light-tinted windshield. Everything you would expect of a muscle car that started its life as a luxury sedan.
You Won't Find These At Your Local Used Chevy Dealer
These cars can be hard to come by because of the simple fact that they were never offered to everyday buyers. They pop up on auction sites from time to time, but Classic.com shows no current listings. They do, however, give us a fair price range based on a couple of listings in the past year.
| High | $9,988 |
| Low | $8,500 |
| Average | $9,244 |
We were able to find a few recent-ish listings on Bring a Trailer to give you an idea of what's out there, and the miles people are putting on these cars.
- A 62,000-mile 2013 PPV sold for $18,250 in late 2024.
- A 78,000-mile 2013 PPV sold for $9,988 last August.
- A 91,000-mile 2011 PPV sold for $9,200 in late 2024.
Your best bet may be to skip the usual auction websites and go to GovDeals.com, which is widely regarded as the best resource for decommissioned government vehicles. Our own search turned up a handful of Caprices in various conditions. One car "may require a boost or a new battery to start". Another listing, for a Caprice with 113,022 miles on the odometer, reports that the "transmission loses reverse when it gets warm".
The occasional Caprice PPV in good condition may pop up on GovDeals, but you really don't want to bother browsing this site if you're not willing to get your hands dirty (or pay someone else to do the upkeep for you).
Elbow Grease Not Included
If we're buying fleet cars, we'll take the cop-spec muscle cars over rentals and taxis. But, fleet cars in general are typically going to be in rough shape when they hit the second-hand market. Even if you're buying a cop car that was used to patrol a quiet little small town, even if it was never used in a high-speed chase, you're still looking at thousands of idle hours, and a whole roster of drivers who never had to worry about paying for the maintenance out of their own pockets.
Additionally, buying a decommissioned cop car isn't the same as strolling into your local Honda dealer for a 2020 Civic. There may be some additional hurdles for you to hop.
Sources: GM, GM Upfitter, NewCaprice, Classic.com.
Read the full article on CarBuzz
This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
