In its time, the spot light, whip antennae, and body-color steel wheels with “dog dish” hub caps revealed the car’s role as a law enforcement tool, but with no lights and sirens on the roof, troopers got much closer to speeding prey before disclosing their identity. The car’s service history escapes description. Let’s assume this is not original paint, though hopefully the original color. Drop some money on this motor and watch those numbers rise dramatically. Automobile-Catalog reports 208 HP and 322 lb-ft of torque from this 429… not ideal for drag-racing but certainly enough for sustained high-speed operation. Why not include the vehicle-specific Marti report in the listing? In 1972, all American cars “lost” horsepower on paper as HP ratings changed from Gross to Net to more accurately reflect parasitic drag and other restrictions of factory installation. The seller reports having a “Mari” report, (probably a Marti Report) that should document the car’s origin as a true P-Code Interceptor and its equipment and options. The aftermarket ignition likely fires better than stock, but I’d source stock-looking parts there as well. Hopefully whoever buys this Ford will respect it enough to replace the lawn mower air cleaner with a real one. The seller uses more words describing their boilerplate than describing the car here on eBay, but it’s said to run and drive “as it should.” At least 10 bidders have cast their name in the hat to win this prize, with more than $13,500 pledged so far. The San Antonio, Texas classic packs a 429 cubic inch (7.0L) police-spec V8, air conditioning, original spotlight, and more. This plain and literally brown unmarked police car is a real-deal 1972 Ford Galaxie 500 P-Code police interceptor. By the time speeders realize the semi-stealthy sedan is driven by John Law, their goose is cooked. Based on that comparison, I’m going to suggest that Huntington’s numbers for the ZL-1 are too conservative and it actually produced something over 500 horsepower.In Trucker Lingo, a “plain brown wrapper” is an unmarked police car that blends in with traffic. Huntington calculated 480 hp at 6400 rpm, however when compared to the equivalent modern version of the ZL1, the Chevy ZZ427 crate motor produces 480 hp with a lower 10.1:1 compression ratio and pump gas.

The L88 became the ultimate example of the iron big-block: Can-Am spec aluminum heads with massive valves, a hardened crankshaft, 12.5:1 pistons, solid lifters, cold air induction, and an 850 CFM dual feed Holley carburetor (without a choke!).Ĭhevrolet most definitely wanted to keep the L88 out of the hands of street drivers and on the race track, so power was rated at just 430 hp 5200 rpm. The L88 Corvette was really developed for racing use and even came delivered with a warning sticker on the center console that emphasized only racing fuel was adequate for the large valves and radical timing.

1975 ford 429 hp specs engine