Best Cop Car Of All Time?  Ford Crown Victoria

When it comes to police vehicles, one comes to mind when you think iconic. The Ford Crown Victoria. To recognize its status,  Haloid Fleet recently recognized the sedan as the Best Police Cruiser of All Time, and sent Ford a plaque commemorating the honor.

New York-based Haloid Fleet,  a recognized authority on public safety vehicles, says the recognition is based on a thorough review of the vehicle's performance, safety and reliability, and overall cost.

Production ended in 2011, but there are still some of the road.

The Houston Police Officers' Union is also a fan of the Crown Vic, posting this a year ago:

Haloid Fleet says the Crown Victoria outranks today's pursuit vehicles for a number of reasons:

• Performance – It maintained pursuit speeds with low-roll-over risk and superior handling; it also sustained only minimal damage when hitting curbs.
• Convenience – It offered a large trunk and cabin with ample space for police gear.
• Safety – Its heavy-duty body-on-frame platform kept the vehicle intact in the event of collisions.
• Reliability – The operating lifespan of a properly-maintained Crown Victoria easily exceeded 200,000 miles.
• Cost – Its plain features, reusable and readily available parts, and long production cycles meant it was inexpensive to buy and operate, costing nearly 70% less to own and operate than today's vehicles.

Haloid Fleet says its decision may be questioned, admitting the Crown Victoria had its share of issues. While the rear-wheel drive drivetrain allowed the vehicle to hit curbs at high speeds, it made traction difficult in slippery conditions. And the vehicle's gas tank was vulnerable to exploding in rear-end collisions, an issue Ford addressed with its fire suppression system in 2003.

Haloid spokesperson, George Martinez, explains: "Many industry observers will question our recognition. But if you consider the Crown Victoria in terms of cost, reliability, and utility, it's easy to understand why we chose it. It did the job at a much lower cost than modern cruisers. Many cash-strapped public safety agencies would love to buy these vehicles today.".

Want to check out some Crown Victoria brochures? Check out the Ford Heritage Vault.

Photo:  Haloid Fleet.