Here's a little bit about the Police package Caprice and Impala...
Isn't the Police Package Caprice (9C1) basically the same as the Impala SS?
The following are differences between the Impala and Police Caprice
(9C1). Don't fret! They don't have to be differences forever! See the
MODIFICATIONS section of this FAQ for info on incorporating 9C1
options into your Impala.
EXTERNAL/CHASSIS Besides the obvious external differences such as
wheels and tires, grille and trim, and badges, the Police Package
Caprice (9C1) is different from the Impala in many ways. While the
frames of the Impala and 9C1 are both made from a larger gauge metal
than that found on the standard Caprice, the suspension is firmer on
the Police Caprice. The springs are heavier and more firm on the 9C1.
The 9C1 gets a non-posi rear end of the same 3.08 ratio as the Impala.
INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
The 9C1 has an external oil cooler in front of the radiator in
addition to a power steering fluid cooler. The 9C1 Caprice has the
green silicone lifetime "superhoses" instead of the black normal hoses
for the heater and cooling hoses under the hood. The oil gage in the
9C1 is a "real read" gage and the sending unit on the block sends the
actual oil pressure readings to the gage. The stock Impala has a
resistor set up which essentially causes a false "always good"
reading. It essentially makes the Impala oil pressure gage, an idiot
light. No explinations.
INTERIOR/GADGETS
The interior is not leather in the 9C1, and the floor mats on the 9C1
are usually rubber. The 9C1 also gets a rubber trunk mat, and a "fuel
bib" on the rear license plate. The truck popper for the 9C1 is
located where the cigarette lighter is on the Impala. The lighter is
then located inside the ash tray. The 9C1 has a dash panel light kill,
to turn off the speedo and dash lights when the car is blacked out at
night. (To prevent the cops from being blinded while they're sneaking
around.) The 9C1 driver's door can be unlocked by pulling open the
door latch, unlike the Impala. The dome lights do not activate when
the driver's side door is opened on the 9C1. The 9C1 is available with
a full Heads Up Display, Night Vision Camera system, which projects
images onto the combined glass display on the windshield. A must have
item at around $17,000. Imagine taking that cool country road, no
headlights, at night, at 60 mph.