It's not that bad a choice, said Philadelphia Commissioner of Procurement Lou Applebaum.
``They have been satisfactory, proven vehicles, and they've been used as replacements by the state police and most municipalities,'' he said.
However, the Caprice police cruiser presented Philadelphia police with a couple of problems, Applebaum said.
One was its rear bumper, which was hard to see and to use to judge parking distances. The second problem was its anti-lock brakes, with which police ``were not comfortable,'' he said.
Since taking his job with Mayor Rendell more than four years ago, Applebaum has overseen the purchase of more than 400 Crown Victoria police patrol cruisers. The last batch, bought using a high-volume state contract that municipalities can take advantage of, cost about $16,500 each last summer.
What's beneath the decals and roof light-bar on that Philadelphia Police Highway Patrol cruiser that zips past in the ``hammer lane'' of the Schuylkill Expressway?
The engine is an overhead-cam V8 engine of 281 cubic inches and 210 horsepower; the transmission a four-speed automatic, and the drive wheels are the rear.
The car has what Ford calls ``severe-duty, four-wheel disc brakes.'' The suspension has been beefed up and the steering has a speed-sensitive power assist: The faster the officer goes, the less power assist he or she will get.
There's more than 20 cubic feet of trunk space. The car has cloth upholstery, with wide, flat-front bucket seats and a rear bench. Dual airbags and air conditioning are standard.
The driver controls the power door locks and windows. The rear-seat passenger can't.
Applebaum said police now are installing laptop computers to enable officers to get license and registration information quickly.
