What model are old cop cars?

In the U.S., when people say “old cop cars,” they most often mean the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (P71), built for police fleets from model years 1999 to 2011. Depending on the era and region, however, older police vehicles also include the Chevrolet Caprice (especially the 9C1 of the 1980s–1990s), Dodge Diplomat and Plymouth Gran Fury (1980s), Ford LTD/LTD Crown Victoria (1970s–1980s), and even earlier staples like the Plymouth Fury and AMC Matador.

What counts as an “old cop car”

“Old cop car” is a catchall phrase shaped by TV, film, and the resale market for retired police vehicles. In the U.S., it usually refers to rear-wheel-drive, body-on-frame sedans that dominated fleets before the 2010s—most famously the Crown Vic. In other countries, the models differ, but the idea is the same: the vehicles that defined policing in a previous era and now show up at auction, in collector circles, or on screen.

Iconic U.S. police models by era

The vehicles below defined American law-enforcement fleets across different decades, reflecting changing priorities in durability, performance, and cost.

• 1960s–early 1970s: Plymouth Fury; Ford Galaxie; Chevrolet Biscayne/Bel Air; AMC Rambler/Ambassador.
• Mid-1970s–early 1980s: Plymouth Fury (later B-body); AMC Matador (notably used by LAPD); Chevrolet Nova in some departments.
• 1980s: Dodge Diplomat and Plymouth Gran Fury (M-body, 1982–1989); Chevrolet Caprice (B-body); Ford LTD and LTD Crown Victoria.
• 1990s: Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 (1991–1996); Ford Crown Victoria (1992–1997) leading into the dedicated Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (P71) from 1999.
• 2000s: Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (P71, 1999–2011) becomes the de facto standard; also Chevrolet Impala 9C1 (2000s) and early Dodge Charger Pursuit (from 2006); limited Dodge Intrepid police packages (early 2000s).

While many models served honorably, the Crown Vic’s longevity, parts availability, and on-screen ubiquity cemented it as the archetypal “old cop car” in the American imagination.

International examples

Outside the U.S., “old cop car” can mean very different machines, shaped by local roads, budgets, and policing styles.

• United Kingdom: Rover SD1 (1980s motorway icon); Volvo 850 T5 (1990s); Vauxhall/Opel Omega; BMW 5 Series for traffic units.
• Australia: Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore sedans and wagons (1990s–2010s); later Holden-built Chevrolet Caprice PPV for police fleets.
• Germany: BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Volkswagen Passat; earlier Opel Rekord/Omega in some states.
• Japan: Toyota Crown and Nissan Skyline sedans have long histories in police service.

These regional staples play the same cultural role as the Crown Vic does in the U.S.—instantly recognizable as the “classic” police car of their time and place.

Why the Crown Vic became shorthand for “old cop car”

The Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor rose to dominance because it was durable (body-on-frame construction eased repairs after minor impacts), simple to service (ubiquitous 4.6L V8 and robust drivetrain), rear-wheel-drive for pursuit dynamics, roomy for cages and gear, and cheap to keep on the road. When the model ended after the 2011 fleet year, agencies kept them in service for years, and film/TV productions leaned on their familiar silhouette—locking in the association.

How to tell if a used car is a former police vehicle

Shoppers and enthusiasts often look for specific clues that a car once served in law enforcement, especially when buying at auction or secondhand.

• Package codes: Ford Crown Vic Police Interceptor is “P71” (civilian CVs are P73/P74); GM police packages often carry “9C1” (patrol) or “9C3” (detective/undercover).
• Equipment traces: plugged holes from light bars, spotlights, push-bar mounting points, trunk wiring, or console delete plates.
• Heavy-duty components: higher-output alternators, steel wheels, reinforced seats, vinyl floors, certified (calibrated) speedometers, auxiliary coolers.
• Service history and VIN build sheets: fleet maintenance records or manufacturer build data can confirm police spec.

No single sign is definitive, but multiple indicators—especially package codes and build records—provide strong evidence of prior police duty.

What replaced the old sedans

Since the 2010s, American fleets have shifted from sedans to SUVs and crossovers, prioritizing cargo space, all-weather capability, and safety. Today’s lineups reflect that change.

• Ford Police Interceptor Utility (Explorer-based, including a widely adopted hybrid from 2020 onward) dominates U.S. market share.
• Dodge Charger Pursuit (through 2023 model year) and Dodge Durango Pursuit continue to serve many agencies; with the Charger’s retirement, some departments are moving to SUVs.
• Chevrolet Tahoe PPV and SSV variants have become common for patrol and supervisor roles; the Chevrolet Caprice PPV (2011–2017) has been retired.
• Ford’s Taurus-based Police Interceptor Sedan ended in 2019, further accelerating the shift to utility vehicles.

As sedans fade from fleets, the classic “old cop car” image is increasingly a historical snapshot—one now replaced on the street by taller, more versatile patrol SUVs.

Summary

Most people mean the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (P71, 1999–2011) when they say “old cop car,” but the badge varies by era: Chevrolet Caprice 9C1s, Dodge Diplomat and Plymouth Gran Fury sedans, Ford LTD/LTD Crown Victoria, and earlier workhorses like the Plymouth Fury all fit the bill. Internationally, the definition shifts to local icons such as the UK’s Rover SD1 and Volvo 850 T5 or Australia’s Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore. With modern fleets pivoting to SUVs like the Ford Police Interceptor Utility and Chevrolet Tahoe PPV, the archetypal sedan “cop car” has largely passed into history—even as it remains a fixture in auctions, collections, and pop culture.

What model are police cars?

Police cars are not a single model but a range of vehicles, often with custom “police packages,” that vary by location and purpose. Common police models include the Ford Police Interceptor Utility (based on the Explorer), the Chevrolet Tahoe, and the Dodge Charger Pursuit, though SUVs like the Dodge Durango and trucks such as the Ford F-150 Police Responder are also used. 
Why There Isn’t Just One Model

• Purpose: Different tasks require different vehicles; a high-speed patrol car needs different features than a prisoner transport or an administrative vehicle. 
• Agency Needs: Specific police departments choose vehicles based on their budget, local geography, and the types of duties their officers perform. 
• Manufacturer Offerings: Chevrolet, Dodge, and Ford all produce dedicated police versions of their production vehicles, giving departments choices. 

Common Police Models

• Ford Police Interceptor Utility: This SUV, based on the Ford Explorer, is a very popular choice due to its durability, performance, and all-wheel-drive capability. 
• Chevrolet Tahoe PPV: A powerful and durable SUV from Chevrolet that is a dependable option for police fleets. 
• Dodge Charger Pursuit: A well-known sedan model used for police work. 
• Ford F-150 Police Responder: A pickup truck designed for law enforcement. 
• Dodge Durango Pursuit: This SUV is used for specialized unmarked patrol vehicles in some areas, designed to blend in with traffic. 

Historical Models

• Ford Crown Victoria (Crown Vic): Opens in new tabFor many years, this was the iconic police sedan until its production ended. 
• Ford Mustang SSP and Chevrolet Camaro B4C: Opens in new tabHistorically, dedicated performance police packages existed for these cars but were uncommon. 

What cop cars were used in the 90s?

1990’s

• 1991 and 1993 Chevrolet Caprice.
• 1994 Chevy Caprice.
• 1996 Jeep Cherokee and 1996 Chevy Caprice. For a short period in the mid to late 1990’s officers in the patrol division also used Jeep Cherokees.
• 1997 Ford Crown Victorias.
• 1999 Ford Crown Victoria.
• 1994 Chevy Caprice.
• 1999 Chevy Tahoe.

What model were old cop cars?

The Chevy Impala of the late 1970s to mid-’80s. The Plymouth Gran Fury from the 1980s. The Chevrolet Caprice from the late 1980s to mid-1990s. The Ford Crown Victoria of the 1980s to the present.

What is the old cop car in cars?

Sheriff (voiced by Michael Wallis) is a 1949 Mercury Eight police car. Sheriff is painted in classic black and white with a single red light dome, two sirens, and curb feelers. Sheriff was the first resident of Radiator Springs to appear in Cars and the first to meet Lightning.