The Other Brands

The 1974 Chevrolet police package car was, often, a Bel Air with a big-block 454.  Some departments went with the small-block 350.

The big block car made a sad 235 SAE net horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 360 ft-lb of torque at 2,800.

That'd drag its 4,552 lb. carcass down the 1/4 mile in 17.1 seconds at 83 miles an hour.  Flat out it'd go 121 miles an hour.

Mileage was 7/14.

The city patrol cars with the small block made 160 hp at 3,800 and 245 ft-lb at 2,400.

The lighter 4,277 lb. curb weight isn't enough to offset the loss of power and the 1/4 mile "flashes" by in a sedate 19.3 seconds at 74 miles an hour.  Top speed is just 106 miles an hour.

Mileage was 9/13.  Yes, worse than the big block on the highway, but better in town.

What about Ford?

The Ford Custom 500 Police Interceptor Special touted a 460 cubic inch engine making 260 horsepower at 4,400 rpm and 380 ft-lb. of torque at 2,700.

The would drag the 4,610 lb. car down the track in 16.3 seconds at 87 miles an hour.  Max speed is 129 miles per hour.

Mileage is 7/11.