The first two SSP Mustangs are for sale at $21K for the pair. -Images: Hemmings Motor News

Any car guy or gal back in the Eighties had the “face” of a Fox-body Mustang carefully memorized, especially from the rear view mirror. Even in the dark, a keen eye could detect the low stance and “light signature” on the front end of these Mustangs and hopefully react stealthily without getting a ticket.

5.0-liter has seen a rough life prowling the highways of California.

We can thank the California Highway Patrol for coming up with the idea of a Mustang cop car. Ford responded with the Special Service Package and the SSP Mustangs were born. With the marketing phrase “This Ford chases Porsches for a living,” they caught on quickly with police departments all over the country, eventually selling 14,000 units over a twelve year period. The CHP alone put 400 into service.

The SSP option included the 157 hp, two-barrel, 5.0L H.O. V-8, four-speed transmission, 3.08 gears in a 7.5-inch rear axle, police spec suspension, radio noise suppression package, 130 and 135 amp internally and externally regulated heavy duty alternators, auto transmission fluid cooler, engine oil cooler, reinforced floor pans, single key locking doors/trunk, two-piece VASCAR speedometer cable, and relocated rear deck release.

Fast forward to today and if you like Mustangs and have a cop car fetish, you’re in luck. A guy in Tennessee has the first two SSP Mustangs ever built. This pair of 1982’s includes the original 1982 Special Service Package (SSP) Prototype Police Mustang assembled in December 1981 and the 1982 Mustang SSP Police engineering mule assembled in April 1982. These two Mustangs are the only pre-production cars built by Ford to develop, engineer and test the proposed Special Service Package Police option for the 1982 ‘Stang.

The two cars are being offered as a pair for $21K and isn’t the first time they’ve been offered for sale. They’re fully documented, high mileage examples needing extensive restoration. Or, you could drive ‘em as is and give everyone a fright on the freeway.