1972 Ford Custom 500 429 Police Interceptor | Retired South Carolina Highway Patrol Car

Hadn't even thought about these cars in DECADES! I had a rather-poor 'association' with a sheriff in a town near mine, back in the 1970's...he had returned from Vietnam, became elected sheriff, and purchased TWO of these cars...both Custom 500's with the 429's in them. His town was LEGENDARY for being a 'speed trap', too. Late one night in the mid-70's, about to start college, I had saved during high school and bought a used 1970 LS-5 454 Corvette 4-speed; I came barreling through town about 90...and he had apparently been sitting in the car, outside his office front door...as here came the red lights (they were red back then, boys-and-girls)! We ran through some of the winding-est, hilly-est, most-hair-raising backroads ever built, at speeds far beyond sanity would dictate. I was utterly amazed that big Custom 500 could take curves like it could...and with that 429, it had tremendous 'kick' coming out of curves. I don't know what it was producing, power-wise, but my LS5 was making 390-hp and 500-ft.lbs of torque...and for quite some time, he was staying fairly close. The 'chase' ended when a deer decided to 'jump a fence'...right into the grill of his cruiser...and thus, he now only had one Custom 500 left. I was told that he had the engine transplanted to a 4-door Torino, so he could 'catch that SOB Corvette that cost him a car'...Hilarious to think back almost 50-years and remember that little event now...(I did actually go on to make something with my life, not to be some 'crazed hoodlum' though).

I had the 1971 version of this Police car with the 429 Interceptor. It is a brute!

My uncle was a SCHP Man! He was based out in the Florence/Marion area. He used to take me out and show me the day in the life of a Trooper. Here's to "E59" - Retired and with the Lord now.

A lot of people despise people who buy old police cars but I think it's awesome and they are some of the coolest classic cars out there

My all time favorite cars. The 500/ LTD has a special place in my heart, I have owned 6 of them, and want to find another one day. People say they are the epitome of all that was wrong with the American auto industry, I see them as a shining example of everything they got right. Love it.

My dad, NYS detective, had a 1968 Ford custom with 428 engine, I made sure those 428 engine badges behind the front fenders were always clean. Lol

The movie White Lightning with Burt Reynolds

Ain't nobody gonna applaud the man for the best damn impression of Bufford T Justice I've heard in ALONG time. Well played sir Well played

I had a 71 LTD brougham with the 429 engine and it would burn the tires. I love old school police cars and yours is really cool. Thanks for the sharing it with us.

S.C. ran these 72 Fords for years. I think as late as 1979 I remember them still in service.

I had a '69 Mercury X-100 Marauder. Huge, smooth and quiet car that would get up and go if you needed to be somewhere. Gas mileage was unbelievable. Got 21 MPG on a highway trip..

When i was on the job i had one as a patrol unit, dame fine car. Dark green, black side walls, dashboard bubble light, fun to drive. Would not mind having another one.

Learned to drive in a 1972 ltd with a 427 4 v. Two door hard top. Was unstoppable power

I'm sure old timer retired policeman will share a tear seeing this machine

Nicely done we love your interceptor !!

Brings back memories. Bought a '72 in LTD trim. Ex game warden car. Olive drab paint and still had the TX parks and wildlife decal on the door. Someone had tried to remove it but failed. Best $500 I spent on a car.

My uncle had a new black on black 71 unmarked (detective) car when we are kids, boy did we ever enjoy riding around in that car!

Gotta love a LEO who loves his cars. Good for you collecting rare Ford performance cars.

What a great old car. Reminds me of Burt Reynolds 1971 custom 500 in White Lightning. Back then you get chased by one of those and your chances of getting "cuffed and stuffed" were pretty good! Enjoy!

I remember seeing these in Alabama at the state sale. There were 69 and 70 year models. I was too young to drive then. But when I was 17, I bought a 74 from the GA State Patrol. Painted it black, but kept the GSP "look". It had a 460 PI and police special radials. I paid $550 for it and it would out run the word of god. It was a great car