Classic California Highway Patrol Cars - Jay Leno's Garage

Classic California Highway Patrol Cars. CHP Captain Matt Guthrie and former commissioner Spike Helmick stop by with five of the finest cop cars of the last 40 years - and the brand new Ford Explorer that will be hitting California highways soon.

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Classic California Highway Patrol Cars - Jay Leno's Garage

Jay Leno's Garage

[caseym]

Nothing struck terror in the heart of a teenage driver like seeing that
Polara grill in the rear view mirror!

[SoulFlavor]

4:11 When Jay takes a half step towards the cop, he takes a full step back. True cop, always watch your back lol

[kataccord]

Didn't realize how old this video was until he called *that* the "New Ford Explorer"

[SteveST-hlnt]

4:10 Notice how Jay steps forward and Matt steps back. He even covers his pepper spray. Well trained. Or Jay needs a Tic Tac.

[Sand]

This was such a fun video! My brother went on the CHP in 1967. He was in patrol cars for 5 years, then went on to motors and rode motors for the next 15 years. He said he was glad he spent the first 5 years in a car because the cars back then were great. He went on to retire after 39 years on the job and is happily living out his retirement on 3 acres of land with his wife, dogs and cats. He deserves it after spending 39 years on the road. I am grateful he survived all those years.

[caddiman]

The top speed for the old dodge police car was 150 mph. That's pretty fast for a big heavy car.

[ivanc]

Gotta love Jay Leno’s intros. One of the last great showmen we get to witness

[koko]

"This is when the men were men and the women were glad of it"
Jay Leno's greatest quote!

[GamePlayWithNolan]

Turns siren on
2 seconds later: "It's amazing, people just get out of your way!"

[jtf-JTFaith]

I remember being tailed by a Crown Vic in the Carpoool Lane when me and my friends were headed to Santa Cruz. The CHP still runs a few of those in 2020 for carpool lane patrols

[chriqrowe]

Bet he gave some older folks near heartattacks driving that polara around

[chiconian]

I was pulled over by CHP for the first time in over 20 years last week. The officer asked me what the hurry was. He clocked me at 71 in a 55 mph zone. My speedo really did say 55 mph. I told him I had just replaced my speedo cable in my 65 Ford Falcon and they must have sold me the wrong one. I even showed him the receipt. Since he had seen me before on the road and I was never speeding, he did not write me a ticket, but I had to tell him the history of my car and he told me all about his new CHP, SUV at my request. These new Ford SUV's have smaller tires (wide but short) to prevent rollover. The traction system is computer controlled to help prevent spin outs. He missed the old days when he could burn out and the squealing tires around corners, however appreciated the safety. I saw him driving the opposite direction on the way home. My speedo said 42 (I was hoping that would actually be 55 mph). He flashed his lights and gave me the thumbs up. What a nice guy! No wonder I had been getting such lousy gas mileage.

[cooleyhy]

Not sure if someone among the 2600+ comments mentioned it already, but one of the CHP spec. details that they didn't mention in the episode about the older patrol cars (like the 60s Polaras) was the white steering wheel. CHP required a white wheel due to extreme heat inside the car especially in really hot regions like the CA Central Valley and SoCal desert areas.

[AiMR]

This vehicle has the S.C.M.O.D.S. system. It's got a cop motor, a 440-cubic-inch plant. It's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas.

[barrybrenner]

I got a twenty mile ride to the hospital at 140 mph in one of these 5.0 Mustangs around 1985 near Santa Barbara. I chopped off a couple of fingertips chasing my runaway '67 Chevelle wagon while camping. Smooth as silk and the officer was very concerned about my pain. Thanks pal, wherever you are.

[Jimothy]

4:10 the cop thought Jay Leno was going to punch him or something lol it got awkward lmao

[Vixenk]

Crown Vic is probably the most wrecked vehicle in the history of movies/tv shows

[donmaxfeldt]

1969 Polara, what a thrill!! Loved driving it. Couldn't believe Jay's comment about not very fast! Remember an on-ramp we all used, surface was not asphalt - it was rubber!! Had to back off the throttle to gain traction. Top speed around 160. I lived in an apartment with underground parking. My wife would always know when I was home for dinner, the 440 would shake the whole building. 50 years ago and I still remember the thrill!! Also noted the negative comments about the '70 Merc. We had a test vehicle, 428 Cobra Jet. 65 mph, punch passing gear and it would break traction. Lots of trips to the dealership to replace broken motor mounts.

[crowdcontrol]

Jay is like a five year old with that siren, lol.

[photomanwilliams]

such memories, In the early 70's I was a member of the police reserves. The car of the dept. was the Dodge Polaris with the 440. Lot of power in those days. The sound the engine made when you put your foot into it was magic. Often when an officer called for back up you could hear the sound of the car a block a heads up of almost to your location.