3/22/20 86/100 1997 Ford Crown Victoria Police

Matchbox has made a lot of Ford police cars over the years, and this 1997 example is just another one of them, released in 1997 alongside the Ford Ambulance (which is also in this series).  The Crown Vic got the aero look that started at Ford with the Ford Sierra and then to the 1986 Taurus, so in 1992 the Crown Vic lost the boxy look of its predecessor for a sleeker design.  In 1997 the rear-end was updated with taillights that span the rear and canted down toward the center, sort of like the rear of a 1959 Chevy Impala.  This version is nicely done in white with a nod to the Ocean City, New Jersey police on the doors and even detailed headlights and taillights.  The front has a detailed grille with slim headlights, 5-spoke wheels, and a detailed base that would become metal in 2001.  Despite the tall stance it never had a working suspension, though the interior has some nice details and one of them being the speed reader and CB radio on top of the dashboard.  This casting did get some use, though with the arrival of the next-generation Crown Vic in 2006 the use got limited after that.  Until now this generation of Crown Vic police cars was barely noticed in diecast thanks to the abundance of the 1998-2011 bodystyle and this Matchbox version is one of the companies that took note.

Specifications:

· Engine: 4.6L SOHC V8 250 hp. Est.

· Transmission: 4-speed automatic

· 0-60 mph: 8.0 sec. est.

· Real vehicle price: $35,000 est. 1997

Rating:  4.8 out of 5 stars