1971 Hemi Cuda Washington State Patrol

[Erik Smith]

In early 1971, Washington State Patrol Chief Oliver Furseth, a known Mopar fan, petitioned state legislator for the 9th district, Robert Goldworhty, to purchase experimental vehicles under a special provision to reduce traffic fatalities due to high speed encounters on interstate highways. The area around Ritzville, WA,  void of concentrated population and having relatively flat terrain, prompted many drivers to drive at excessive speeds, and Chief Furseth, along with personal reasons, wanted to test vehicles capable of high speed pursuits. The purchase was approved and regional director John Humphries purchased a 1971 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda from West Side Plymouth in Fife, WA. The lowest price car they could acquire was a Sassy Grass Green car, which was painted white, rather haphazardly. The car saw duty from mid 1971 until 1974, when the State began looking for more fuel efficient car models due to increasing costs associated with the oil embargo. The Plymouth was sold in 1975 as surplus equipment for $746 to Represetnative Goldworthy and was seen periodically driving around Ritzville and Harrington, WA. The last known sighting was in 1980 and the whereabouts are currently unknown. 

 

[Erik Smith]

Here is the 'Cuda and its replacement, a 1974 Chevrolet Vega. 

This is the old Monogram kit with wheels from Fireball Modelworks. 

The story is completely fictional and the names, while some are actual, do not correspond to any real events. 

[tbill]

haha, that's so cool! imagine, hemi power to vega no-power........good thing we got radio's..........

 

awesome take on things, too cool

[charger74]

Wow, love the story, and great built ?

[PARTSMARTY]

Those are great builds-love em !!!

[Chuck Mols]

Love the build and the story.

 

[bbowser]

Great models, love the Vega.

[espo]

You are almost as good a story teller as you are a model builder. Sound like something from Lake Wobegone. Great builds.  

[Jonathan]

An excellent story and two excellent builds!

[D. Battista]

Excellent job on the cars....!   Cool story....

[donb]

What they all said above. Great build!

[slusher]

Fantastic models, and I really like the story with the Cuda..

 

[jefropas]

Love the build! Wish it were a true story. Of course, so many unique law enforcement stories sound just the same as yours. Many times they come to fruition too. Can't wait to see the next project!

Jeff

[Mopar - D]

As already stated cool builds and story.