9C1 is an SEO (GM Special Equipment Option) ordering
number for a vehicle with Police Package. Among
options available with the 9C1 package in 1988 were
larger engines, stiffer suspension, a stronger
frame, beefier transmissions, higher-capacity
electrical systems, better brakes, and generally
heavier duty components than used on a civilian
model just due to the abuse these cars receive in
service. My car is equipped with a 275-hp 350
4-bolt engine (not original) that produces ~350 lb.
ft. torque at roughly 2200-2800 RPM. It's built for
some serious highway usage. The transmission is a
4L60 - even this seems to be subject to my lead foot
(I'm apparently quite hard on transmissions). The
cooling system hoses (radiator and heater) are made
out of silicone (they're green) and are designed to
last 4 times the life of the car (in practice).
They are original equipment and still strong after
almost 19 years and 158,000 miles. I've also
modified the cooling system by installing a 4-core
radiator out of a Chevy C50 commercial truck. ...
This was the last year of the Chevrolet-powered
carbureted Caprice. I've modified the stock exhaust
system into a catback dual setup (single cat) by
welding the driver's side of an LT1 car exhaust to a
passenger side exhaust by way of the bend up to the
driveshaft. Although it's not as good as a
true-dual setup, it does enhance economy over the
single setup, good for a car that's moderately
thirsty for expensive gasoline.
The interior of the car is equipped with 1997 Grand
Am bucket seats (these replaced the original 45-45
split bench [sometimes called bucket] seats that the
car came with. They're simply more comfortable).
The instrument cluster has a certified-calibration
speedometer that reads to 120 MPH (as opposed to the
civilian, non-certified speedo to 85 MPH). The
gauge trio on the right side of the dash under the
speedo is the factory U14 unit, a part of the 9C1
package. The dashboard top is uncharacteristically
void of cracks (there's one small crack from the
defroster vent on the passenger side to the
windshield) - amazing for something made 19 years
ago and has been subject to the Arizona climate for
its duration. [The dash since cracked in 3
places simultaneously at one point over the past
winter - it has been recovered with gray 'carpet']
A Cobra 148GTL AM/SSB CB radio is installed under
the dashboard, feeding a Wilson 1000 antenna on the
trunk. An external speaker helps it to get heard
while driving on noisy freeways. A computer desk is
installed just to the front of the seats, between in
the console area. This desk is used with a
Panasonic Toughbook CF-28 notebook computer that's
used largely as a GPS unit, along with the GPS
receiver antenna on the dashboard. See pictures
below (historical). A fully-functional spotlight is
mounted on the driver's side A-pillar, and
heavy-duty rubber push bumpers are mounted on the
front bumper.
Please feel free to check out current pictures of
the car as well as historical pictures - I am
providing these here for all to see. The pictures
on the top are current. I've had this car in 3
different colors over the past 5 years I've had it.
First was white, which it was for over 4 of those
years, then I painted it black. The black paint
didn't turn out well so it required a respray -
being the Arizona / Salt River Valley and the heat
that comes with that, I decided it wasn't going to
be black again. In homage to my old, since retired,
1975 Pontiac Grand Am, the car received a paint job
of Bright Red with black under/rocker panels, and
blackout chrome. NOTE - Pictures are in 640x480
format, because my camera sucks. Clicking on
an image will open the large image,
clicking on the large image will return you to this
page.
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| Looking at it from the 10:00
position |
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The 10:30 position |
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The 11:00 position |
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| Head On, apply directly to
forehead |
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Cragar 342 NASCAR style
Wheels! |
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From the 1:30 position |
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| From the 5:30 position |
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From the 7:00 position |
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From the 9:00 position |
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| LM1 275HP Driver side |
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LM1 275HP Passenger side |
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U14 speedometer |
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| From passenger door |
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From driver window |
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Computer detail |
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