9C1 (Chevrolet Police package)

9C1 is a code used by Chevrolet, in reference to a vehicle intended for use as a police car. Considered a fleet vehicle by General Motors, the 9C1 package is considered a Special Equipment Options (SEO) code, as opposed to a Regular Production Order (RPO) code. Both groups of options are found on the production code sticker (which on most modern GM vehicles is located in the glove box).

Specific modifications and upgrades of each version of the 9C1 option package differs by vehicle platform, though it centers around increased durability and performance. Other parts of the 9C1 package are designed to allow for the fitment of required emergency lighting and equipment.

Equipment

HD features include full perimeter steel frame (there is debate as to whether the 9C1 Caprice uses a thicker frame than the civilian car; GM replacement frame part numbers for the civilian auto and the 9C1 Caprice are the same); oversized front and rear sway bars; full-size spare tire (in the case of the 4th generation 1994-96 Caprice Classic police car); high-output alternator; lifetime-rated green silicone coolant hoses; four-wheel disc brakes; HD steel wheels and speed-rated tires; quick-ratio power steering and transmission and power steering oil coolers; certified digital speedometer; stiffer body mounts and more of them; true dual exhaust; anti-stab steel plates in the front seat backs; performance 3.08 final drive ratio (3.23 w/std.); 200 hp/245 ft·lbf L99 V8 4.3 L (265 cid) SFI engine); and extra wiring for the emergency equipment.

Versions

Since the 1970s, Chevrolet has offered factory-produced police car variants of the Chevrolet Nova, Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Celebrity, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Caprice, and Chevrolet Lumina.

Nova 9C1

The Nova 9C1 was offered to police agencies between 1975 & 1979 originally starting off as a prototype for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in 1974.[1] The Nova 9C1 was available to police agencies as either a 2-door coupe or 4 door sedan with an array of different options.

Malibu 9C1

A 9C1-equipped Malibu with an LT1 350 Z-28 Camaro V8 engine driven by E. Pierce Marshall placed 13th of 47 in the 1979 Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, better known as the Cannonball Run.[2]

Impala/Caprice 9C1 (B-platform)

1996 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1

Starting in 1986 the Caprice would replace the Impala for the retail, taxi, and police markets based on the third generation model which was launched in 1977. Like its civilian counterparts the car would get a facelift in 1987 and would remain the same until 1990. The Caprice 9C1 was available with either a V6 or V8 in this generation.

When the fourth generation 1991 model came, the V6 was dropped and only two choices of V8 were offered (the 5.0 V8 carried from the former generation and 5.7 V8) and featured a digital instrument cluster unlike its civilian version's analog interface, which would remain until 1993 when the LTZ version was introduced. When the 1993-96 model cars lost its rear fender skirts design, this increased the 9C1's sales and appeal to law agencies, as this feature wasn't popular on the 4th generation Chevrolet Caprice for the 1991-92 model years, 5.7-liter Police 153 kW / 205 hp / 208 PS ( SAE net ), torque: 407 Nm / 300 lb-f.

From 1994 to 1996, the detuned 260 hp (190 kW) LT1 350 c.i. engine found on the fourth generation Chevrolet Corvette was a popular option on the 9C1 (the 4.3 V8 (RPO L99) being standard for police agencies looking for a more fuel efficient option), and standard equipment on other GM B-bodies such as the; Chevrolet Impala SS, Buick Roadmaster, and the Cadillac Fleetwood. The 9C1 option, however, was not offered on any of these three models.

Despite General Motors ending production of the fourth generation model 9C1 Caprice in 1996, many police departments across the nation kept them in service a lot longer than most other police vehicles, reason being for lack of finding a good enough equivalent for replacement with decent fuel mileage for its large size, high horsepower, affordable sales pricing, and reliability. With General Motors leaving the police market in 1996, Ford's second generation Ford Crown Victoria police interceptor became the de facto police car, despite being more costly, for many police departments starting in 1998 through 2011 when Ford ceased production of their Panther platform.

Caprice 9C1 (V-platform)

In 1999 the Caprice 9C1 name would be revived for the Middle East based on the Holden Caprice from the WH Statesman/Caprice range for the 2000 model year. This same police package was used in the VT Commodore range at the time which was also sold in the Middle Eastern market as the Lumina. The same range of Holden Caprice almost got imported in North America right around the time that the Impala 9C1 based on the 8th generation Impala in FWD form was about to hit the police market.[3]

Impala 9C1 (W-platform)

2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala 9C1
2012-2016 Chevrolet Impala 9C1

The modern day 9C1 police package has been offered with the 2000-2005 8th generation Impala & 2006-2013 9th generation Impala/2014-2016 Impala Limited in FWD form.

Caprice 9C1 (Caprice PPV)

2014 Chevrolet Caprice PPV

Replacing the Impala, the Caprice PPV (Police Patrol Vehicle) was manufactured by Holden in Australia, a left-hand drive version of the Holden WM/WN Caprice exported to North America. Introduced for 2011, the PPV was offered exclusively for sale to law enforcement. The 9C1 package made its return, denoting patrol-ready versions, deleting the standard center console (for police computers), handbrake (for a footbrake), and vinyl flooring. In 2012, a 3.6L V6 was introduced as a standard engine, with the 6.0L V8 becoming an option (the first time since 1990 that a V6 was offered in a Caprice).

Following the introduction of the WN Caprice for 2014, all PPVs adopted the 9C1 package, with the update including a column-mounted transmission shifter. Coinciding with the closure of Australian manufacturing operations by General Motors after the 2017 model year, the Holden/Chevrolet Caprice ended production without a successor.

While not directly offered to sale outside of law enforcement, some initial examples of the Caprice PPV were purchased from General Motors as used cars by virtue of factory demonstrators being cycled out by the company, surplus unsold dealer inventory, and special one-time purchases (usually by fleet upfitters for equipment demonstration use).[4]

Holden Commodore 9C1

The 9C1 name was also offered with the Holden Commodore starting with the 1997-2000 Holden Commodore (VT) & ending with the 2004-2006 Holden Commodore (VZ) by GM's Australian affiliate Holden. The VZ Commodore 9C1 (or VZ Commodore Police Pack) was available to all police organisations in Australia, New Zealand and several in the Middle East as the Lumina 9C1. It was based on the Commodore Executive and added various specification upgrades to cater to the needs of police. Most 9C1s were delivered in white, but were also offered in other colours, normally used as unmarked vehicles.

9C3

The 9C3 feature package is a variant based on the 9C1 package, and has been historically offered alongside 9C1. The largest difference is the interior design differences 9C3 is intended for undercover or supervisor use, and typically features a more consumer-oriented interior starting with the 8th generation Impala in 2001 all the way to the 9th generation Impala Limited. This police package code was originally offered with the Chevrolet Lumina's 1st generation model starting in 1992 & again with the 2nd generation in 1995 as the mid size front wheel drive alternative to the rear wheel drive Caprice sold between 1991 & 1996.

The Caprice PPV was offered with a 9C3 package from 2011 to 2013. Denoting unmarked/"detective" examples, the 9C3 PPV sourced its trim from the Chevrolet Caprice LS (Middle East export, base trim), except for 18-inch steel wheels, AM/FM radio, and fixed-back rear seat. The 9C3 retained the stock gear shifter and hand brake sourced from the Holden Caprice. For 2014 all Caprice PPVs adopted the 9C1 package, regardless of exterior design.

See also

References

  1. "Nova Police Cars". oocities.org. Retrieved 2015-07-03.
  2. Yates, Brock (2002) "Cannonball!: Worlds's Greatest Outlaw Road Race" MBI Publishing Company. ISBN 0-7603-1090-4
  3. "True blue NYPD". drive.com.au. Retrieved 2014-08-04.
  4. support, New Caprice is your worldwide one-stop information source for Chevrolet PPV owner. "New Caprice".
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