11 replies to this topic

[philsth]

Is there any one here that knows what type of vehicles were used by Police for highway pursuit around Maitland in the late 70s and early 80s.

Were there highly modified Dodge Chargers (engine 490 cubic inches) used for highway pursuit that were capable of in excess of 165 Mph/260 Kmh.

I have done google searches to no avail.

Thanks

Edited by philsth, 12 May 2011 - 11:31 AM.

[Evo-00x]

Dont you mean CL K16 Valiant/Chrysler Chargers?
Looky here:

Edited by EVO-00X, 12 May 2011 - 10:30 AM.

[Gianni]

My mate is buying one soon. I'm meant to be helping him with it

[philsth]

EVO-00X No. It was supposedly an American Dodge Charger with a 490 in it.

Thanks for pics and vid, bought a tear to my eye, still remember the adds for them "Hey Charger" and make the peace sign.

Edited by philsth, 12 May 2011 - 11:35 AM.

[Evo-00x]

Hmmm dont know of any cars in the late 70's and early 80's that came out with 490ci as standard fitment?
Maybe they were specially built stroker 400-440's?

[BMGTZ]

i am old enough to remember these when they were new.

my recollection engine wise

215cid
245cdi
318cdi
and maybe special order was the 360

[bozo]

Hey charger !
Good to know there is some one of the same vintage as me on here
i don't recall any dodge being used, as when i was growing up the guy across the road was in
the highway patrol and i saw a few different cars
the mighty P76 and who could forget the cordia plus a few others but no dodge.
Grant

[philsth]

I was talking with an ex cop this morning of that vintage and he said that NSW had a special order of 30 - 40 American dodge chargers with the 490 (not aust chrysler chargers) and vic used phase 3 HO's and later modified 351 GT's.

Edited by philsth, 12 May 2011 - 11:21 PM.

[SIVART]

my old man had a 360 in a 1973 Chrysler by Chrysler ......drool

but crashed it drag racing

[jack be nimble]

i never heard of a dodge charger for aussie pursuits, and i think 30- 40 would be hard to miss. probably only had 100ish pursuit cars in all nsw back then. i thought they finished production in 1973 as well.
the motor of choice in the us charger was the mighty 426 hemi with dual quads, as second choice was the 440. taking it to 490 at that time would be the same as taking a 6.3 commodore out to 7litres or twin turbos and giving it to the gov workers.

the rumor we had (sw wa) was a 4 door kingswood with worked 350 and nitrous good for 140 mph. my dad was in police through the 70s and although he wasnt pursuit, he worked close with the pursuit guys and often was dropped off home in the chase cars. he doesnt know of any nitro kingswoods.

i reckon it sounds like a rumour

BTW. i have a aussie charger, my pop bought it brand new in 71 and now its mine. i sometimes think of a viper v10 and 6 speed for it. but for now its absolutely stock and get used 3-4 times a year.

[Turbohead]

I know the cops from time to time has "special" motors in their cars.... I remember seeing a VL Commodore pursuit car (which was the first unleaded Commodores) but the exhaust pipe was a light grey colour - like a car running in leaded fuel would have.... obviously not a stock engine in that one...

[philsth]

I 'm still skeptical, as it seems a bit far fetched. The biggest motor I can find in the yank charger was the 440 I guess it could have been stroked and bored but you'd think if there was such a motor the yanks would have been all over it and something would show up on google.

Perhaps it was the 390

That was the other thing "jack of all' reminded me of he said the Charger also supposedly had nitrous.

Thanks all for your responses.