What model are old police cars?

In the U.S., “old police cars” most commonly refers to the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI, 1998–2011, often labeled P71/P7B). Depending on the era and region, departments also widely used Chevrolet Caprices, Dodge Diplomats/Plymouth Gran Furys, and later Ford Tauruses and Dodge Chargers. Below is a clear breakdown of which models dominated, how to identify them, and how this evolved by decade and country.

Why the Ford Crown Victoria became the archetypal “old police car”

The CVPI defined the late-1990s through 2010s U.S. patrol car: a durable, body‑on‑frame, rear‑wheel‑drive sedan with a 4.6‑liter V8 and inexpensive repairability. Its ubiquity in fleets, auctions, and film/TV cemented it as the go‑to image of an “old police car.” Production ended in 2011, but many served well into the late 2010s (and a few rural fleets into the early 2020s), making the model synonymous with retired patrol sedans.

Key traits enthusiasts look for

When people try to confirm whether a used sedan is an ex-CVPI, they often check for certain telltale signs that distinguish police-spec cars from civilian Crown Victorias.

• VIN/trim codes: Fleet codes P71 (earlier) or P7B (later) denote Police Interceptor trims.
• “Police Interceptor” badging: Often on the trunk; sometimes removed at auction.
• Spotlight(s): A-pillar Unity-style driver’s side (sometimes passenger side as well).
• Steel wheels with simple center caps: Built for durability and curb strikes.
• Heavy-duty components: Cooling, alternator, suspension, and seats differ from civilian trims.
• Interior clues: Holes or plugs from light bars/partitions; upfitter wiring; trunk equipment mounts.

These elements, together with the CVPI’s boxy profile and large C‑pillars, make it easy to spot even after decommissioning and repainting.

Other common U.S. police sedans by era

“Old police car” can mean different models depending on the decade. The following highlights the most prevalent U.S. patrol sedans across eras, with notes on when agencies typically used them.

• 1960s–1970s: Plymouth Fury and Dodge Monaco; Ford Galaxie/LTD; Chevrolet Biscayne/Bel Air—big, body-on-frame V8 sedans famous in vintage photos and 1970s TV.
• 1980s: Dodge Diplomat and Plymouth Gran Fury (M-body), Ford LTD/LTD Crown Victoria, Chevrolet Caprice (B-body)—boxy workhorses of the pre-airbag era.
• 1990s: Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 (1991–1996 B-body), Ford Crown Victoria (pre-Interceptor), Chevrolet Lumina/Impala police packages—Caprice 9C1 was a highway favorite until its 1996 end.
• Late 1990s–2010s: Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (1998–2011), Chevrolet Impala 9C1 (2000–2016), early Dodge Charger Pursuit (from 2006)—the CVPI dominated street patrol.
• 2010s transition: Ford Taurus Police Interceptor Sedan (2012–2019), Chevrolet Caprice PPV (2011–2017, Australian-built), Dodge Charger Pursuit (2011–2023 generation)—as sedans downsized or ended, SUVs began to take over.

This progression shows how departments shifted from large, V8, body‑on‑frame sedans to a mix of front‑drive sedans and, increasingly, pursuit-rated SUVs in the 2010s.

International perspectives

Outside the U.S., “old police cars” depend heavily on local manufacturers and fleet policies. Here are some emblematic examples by region that you’ll commonly see in archival photos and decommissioned auctions.

• United Kingdom: Rover SD1; Ford Granada/Sierra; Vauxhall Cavalier/Omega; Volvo 850 T5 for traffic; later BMW 5 Series and Volvo V70/XC70 in motorway roles.
• Canada: Largely mirrors U.S. choices—CVPI, Caprice, Impala, Charger—with strong adoption of Ford Police Interceptor Utility in the 2010s–2020s.
• Australia/New Zealand: Holden Commodore (incl. SS/Highway Patrol) and Ford Falcon (XR6/XR8) dominated until local manufacturing ended; some imported sedans and SUVs followed.
• Germany and parts of Europe: Volkswagen Passat, Opel Rekord/Omega; BMW 3/5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class for Autobahn policing.
• Japan: Toyota Crown and Nissan Skyline patrol cars—iconic black‑and‑white sedans with roof beacons.

These regional fleets reflect differing priorities—handling on motorways, local manufacturing support, and lifecycle cost—so “old police car” can look very different across countries.

How to identify the model of an “old police car”

If you’re looking at photos, auction listings, or a decommissioned car and want to pinpoint the model, a few practical checks usually do the trick.

• Profile and pillars: The CVPI’s tall C‑pillars and squared-off roofline stand out; the 1991–1996 Chevy Caprice has rounded, “bubble” rear quarters.
• Grilles and taillights: Model-specific signatures—e.g., Charger’s crosshair grille (pre-2015) or racetrack LED tails (2015+); Caprice 9C1’s distinct quad lamps (1991–1996).
• Badging and fleet codes: Look for “Police Interceptor,” “9C1,” “PPV,” or VIN trim codes (P71/P7B for CVPI).
• Wheels and stance: Heavy-duty steel wheels, larger brakes, and a slightly taller ride height can indicate police packages.
• Interior and trunk: Upfitter harnesses, switch blanks, cage mounting points, antenna holes, and trunk organizers reveal prior service.

Combining body cues with codes usually yields a confident ID, even after repainting or debadging.

Where things stand today

Though the public often pictures the CVPI when thinking of “old police cars,” most modern U.S. fleets shifted to SUVs in the 2010s. As of 2025, the Ford Police Interceptor Utility (Explorer-based) is the most common patrol vehicle, while Chevrolet’s Tahoe PPV is widely used. The Dodge Charger Pursuit from the prior generation ended production after the 2023 model year; many remain in service, and agencies are evaluating next-generation options as manufacturers refresh lineups.

Summary

Most people mean the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor when they say “old police car,” but the exact model varies by era and country. In the U.S., notable predecessors and contemporaries include the Chevrolet Caprice (especially 1991–1996 and the 2011–2017 PPV), Dodge Diplomat/Plymouth Gran Fury in the 1980s, and later the Dodge Charger and Ford Taurus police variants. Internationally, fleets historically featured local mainstays like the Rover SD1 (UK), Holden Commodore (Australia), and Toyota Crown (Japan). If you’re identifying a specific retired cruiser, look for trim codes, body cues, and upfitting traces to nail down the model.

What is the old police car in cars?

Sheriff (voiced by Michael Wallis) is a 1949 Mercury Eight police car.

What is the most common police car model?

Ford Police Interceptor Sedan and Utility continue to be America’s best-selling police vehicles.

What model are 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 old police cars are still in use?

Older models, namely the Ford Crown Victoria, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Caprice, and Ford Police Interceptor Sedan, retain their popularity in fleets, but are gradually being phased out due to maintenance costs, mileage, and their end of production.