Lot 020: Plymouth Volare Police Car

Launched in 1976, the Plymouth Volare/Dodge Aspen remained in production until 1980. The chassis design was typical Mopar, incorporating a unitized body and chassis, with torsion bar front suspension and leaf springs to the rear, fitted with thick rubber isolators ('Iso-clamps') to keep road noise and vibrations to a minimum. Brakes were discs at the front, drums at the rear. A 3,700cc slant-six engine came as standard, fitted with 'Lean-Burn' electronic ignition and designed to run on unleaded fuel. Tough as old boots and capable of an easy 110mph, it was popular with American law enforcement agencies whose cars received upgraded powertrains, heavy duty suspension and uprated brakes.Imported to the UK in August 1988, this car is said to have started life as an NYPD patrol car, though it has subsequently been liveried up as a California Highway Patrol vehicle (complete with bullet holes down one side!). It is still fitted with working lights and sirens, rear compartment mesh guard and deleted interior rear door handles to stop the baddies making a run for it once safely in the back. It also has an exterior loudhailer operated from a handset within the car: "Up against the wall and spread 'em!"The car is said to have featured in 'Batman The Movie' and to have been used to promote The Blues Brothers UK tour in the late 1980s. Earlier this year it was driven to London and back to star in a pop video for which the owner received �550 a day in expenses. MOTd and taxed until July 2008, the car is said to drive very well with no oil leaks and a good set of tyres. Due to a mix up with the paperwork when it was imported, the car was assigned a 'Q' plate by the DVLA, but the vendor has established that an age-related plate could now be obtained if preferred. Needless to say this car draws huge amounts of attention wherever it goes, and has massive earning potential as a film prop or for hiring out on weddings or other special occasions. Indeed the vendor believes that it may be the only 1980s 'black-and-white' in the country.