1978 Chevrolet Nova 9C1 - Jay Leno's Garage

Lieutenant Bob Killeen from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Bill Sanders stop by the garage to show Jay the department's new 2016 Ford Police Interceptor Utility and the classic 1978 Chevrolet Nova 9C1.
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1978 Chevrolet Nova 9C1 - Jay Leno's Garage
• 1978 Chevrolet Nova 9C...
Jay Leno's Garage
/ jaylenosgarage

[@PleasestopcallingmeDoctorImath]

"you look like you should be on a can of baked beans" "thank you."

[@deebogotyou1494]

Doctor Robotnik 😭

[@Link122]

Hahahahaha. For some reason this is the funniest thing I've read all week.

[@tbrooks9970]

That cracked me up!

[@El_Chompo]

He is a comedian after all by trade

[@cronicjointpain1]

Please, stop calling me Doctor. I'm a the rapist. *Canadian* baked beans LOL

[@xishootstuffx]

I can't imagine how much fun it would be to have a friend like Jay Leno.

[@unstablebobgable]

That guy's mustache should have it's own KZbin channel.

[@robertrichardson9953]

His and Sam Elliott

[@jonathansparks7558]

ROFLMAO 🤣

[@graemeking7336]

It's basically a mo with some guy attached

[@ohioalphornmusicalsawman2474]

I just have ta say: He is the Walrus!! koo-koo-ka-choo😁

[@jasonmoskowitz246]

@@ohioalphornmusicalsawman2474Ho Pod Ho Pod Himmy Himmy Ho Ha Ho Pod Ho Pod Himmy Himmy Ho Ha Himmy Himmy Ho Ha Ha Po Pa Cashew Patchoooᛝ

[@wzl87]

I just love Jays humour the way he jokes with the police haha

[@ramairgto72]

If I had the money and hobnob with city, state, government leaders, I would feel rather safe as well. Lets not forget GM gives him one off cars...

[@KartKing4ever]

Well, I mean, he still pays shitloads for them. He's not just given anything.

[@spacecat7247]

Well, they're on his turf. God knows what kinda money he donates to their special programs too. And its jay. He's not star struck lol

[@yellowbeanieboy2930]

That guy's mustache reminds me of Scruffy's from Futurama

[@aliAkbarTV]

i wonder, how this old timer eats

[@ml.2770]

like a baleen whale

[@campbellpaul]

ROFLMAO

[@daviemaclean61]

Dr Ivo Robotnik?

[@simplecarblog5663]

Officer mustache

[@deksea]

Jay was being VERY Jay in this particular episode. The non-stop comments and facial expressions are priceless.

[@heytreacle]

Love the fact that Jay basically used this as an opportunity to flesh out his understanding of their capabilities... and where the gaps might be.

[@garyvallone5393]

My grandpa had a very quick car when he was young. He said he used to get in cop chaces just for the thrill of it. He always got away! Until one day his car lost a cylinder. Car still ran and he got away but he realized if he dropped a 2nd cylinder it would have been over. He never did it again. The 30s were a different time! I will always remember that story among others he had. Miss you and love you Grandpa

[@seinfeld11123]

when i saw this I thought. Jay is doing this as a PSA. then the officer said he caught an "car aficionado doing 85 in a 45" and jay looked down and giggled

[@bicylindrico]

Takes all of about 5 seconds with the cars now a days

[@fishhuntadventure]

jack black It’s not 100% clear to me how 85 in a 40 is the worst thing a career cop can think of. DUIs (endangerment of innocents) or idiots texting and driving and killing someone didn’t ever happen?!!!

[@rogersmith9808]

Jay Leno..... The guy who got a ticket for doing over 100 MPH in a steam powered vehicle!!! 😂 lol

[@MegaMoose1989]

@@fishhuntadventure he was talking about Jay and it was all in jest about him pulling over Jay when he was a patrol officer.

[@quad5186]

fishhuntadventure I thought the same thing. I think he was trying to just keep it speed related , not wanting to get too graphic or morose .

[@ringvaldse]

The 9C1 package was available on the Nova, Malibu, and Impala/Caprice. Many departments in more congested area chose the Nova because it was more compact than the full size Ford, Chevys , and Dodges of the time. One of the reasons they also gave was they were a little better on fuel economy and cost a little less money to purchase which was important to them in the energy crisis days and the crappy economy of the time.

[@El_Chompo]

Those old school rotating police lights are so cool. And I love how they aren't blindingly bright like modern emergency lights.

[@RandomDuude]

I'm old enough to remember those Novas still in service. Damn, time sure does fly 😥

[@georgeandrews6454]

The 9C1 Nova was developed by LASD, and was a BIG hit with departments throughout SoCal, including the Cities of Orange, Anaheim, Placentia, Laguna Beach, Fountain Valley, Cerritos, Fullerton, TOO MANY to list here. Cheap, Durable, easy on gas & tires, BUT lotsa suffering by those who had to cram themselves behind the wheel. The 9C1 was essentially a 4 - door Camaro; a friend ordered one through Cone Chevrolet in Fullerton and raced it in SCCA Cal Club events.

[@ohioalphornmusicalsawman2474]

Same here☺ My dad had a 76 Concours with the 305 when I first started driving. Loved that car

[@norristammislideshowmulgre877]

I remember them as well.

[@dabearcub]

RIP. At least I assume so…

[@banther1154]

"He's not gonna catch me in my Lambo" Jay is a god

[@thomaspayne6866]

A god? What a stupid thing to say

[@robertvalentin5846]

no body's is god no body's is special if jay Leno break a law speedy he probably get break with a warning he say yes sir ill promise it happened again officers

[@oldhead8292]

You can’t outrun the radio

[@SerPurple51]

You could see the cops smile dip down when he said that 🤣

[@Scrapla1]

The 78 Nova was the car I grew up with as a kid. My dad bought it used in 79 and we had it till the mid 90s. It was a straight six with no AC option. My mom also sold Avon in the 80s and Avon is Nova spelled backwards and I remember my dad would always joke with her about it. Good times

[@Douglas-up2vh]

Had that Simplistic Bulletproof 250 i6 six in my 77 Camaro. Loved it. They were Bulletproof with that Bulletproof 3 speed trans

[@geekfreak618]

My first over 100mph run was in my mom's 1974 Nova with a 350. Shhh... Those telephone poles were whooshin' by nicely.

[@harddrivin1le-970]

My bone stock 1990 stripped to the bone 4 cylinder/manual trans Toyota pickup topped 102 MPH with me in it. 100 MPH is nothing by anything remotely close to modern standards. It's just that it "felt fast" in the older cars.

[@vlajster]

i had a yugo that could top a 100,with a swapped fiat engine

[@sunsetrider45]

I often go 160mph and higher depending on which rental I get (usually BMW but also got an ungoverned RS6 before which propelled me to 180mph). But only when I go to Germany and rent from Sixt :-).

[@thecloneguyz]

1974 was the hatchback bug-eyed ugly Nova

[@thecloneguyz]

@@harddrivin1le-970 it felt fast because they were not aerodynamic

[@smokey2459]

My career began in a 1972 Dodge Coronet police package with the 383 magnum. It was essentially a 4 door Road Runner/Super Bee! The sound of all 4 barrels opening up under full acceleration was incredible. Couldn’t corner at all. The Novas were awesome. We referred to them as 4 door Z28’s. Fast, nimble and a blast to drive. One of my all time favorites. The mid 90’s full size Chevy Caprices were terrific. Big, comfortable, FAST and handled great. Then came the Crown Vics. Durable and adequate but a let down from those Caprices. Oh, and spotlights on cars are legal. You just can’t use them while driving/moving on city streets. Just remember spotlights aren’t toys and you’ll be fine.

[@glennhelm9525]

Don't know of they are still in business, but the co. that made the spotlights is called Unity.

[@DarkKatzy013]

One of the best episodes ever 😂. Thank you Jay and guests

[@TybeeZ4]

I bought these Novas for a town in CT that I worked for in 1978. Ours, however, came with bucket seats and a console for mounting all the switch gear for the lights, siren, etc. Our town patrolled I-91 north of Hartford, and the State would defer to us as our cars were much faster than the State's Ford Interceptors then. One heck of a police pursuit vehicle!

[@124marsh]

Bloomfield?

[@stuwemhoener5937]

My buddies Dad ordered a new 78 4 door Nova with the 9C1 package and a 4 gear. I think there was an article in Road & Track or some other automotive publication about the availability of the package to the public .....later is was handed down to him. It's legendary. Nova Nova Nova!

[@deksea]

You've just gotta love Jay. What a classic face he makes at 4:08 when the officer explains how you can actually go to jail for the "elevated" traffic offenses of burnouts, donuts, etc. Jay's thinking to himself, "Hell, I've got videos of me doing that kind of stuff with my cars right here on my show!" Haha , excellent!

[@BraIIIn86]

Gotta love classic American police vehicles

[@BraIIIn86]

Same in Utah, not allowed to keep the light bar, siren or police markings. Ex police crown vic are quite popular with local folks. But It's always annoying when I slow down and it turns out to be a fake cop car though, haha

[@BrickedUpp]

Sgt. Orloski depends on the state

[@hanskinslo326]

BralllnMuch - Unless they're flashing lights behind me!

[@uronetwo]

Son...You gon' drive me to dranking if you don't quit driving that hot rod lincoln...

[@bryanmartinez6600]

Police & Militaria Collectors Channel I'd only use it on my friends

[@futurepastnow]

Several cops told me, years ago, that the LT1 Caprice was the greatest vehicle ever made.

[@rsattahip]

Of all the cars I've ever driven, the 76-78 Nova was my favorite. They handled like sports cars in an era when most American sedans felt like floating sofas. After driving that on a 10 hour shift, my own car felt like a piece of garbage when I drove home.

[@wayneikola2650]

I drove one of these cars on duty for the Azusa Police Department from 1977 through 1979. Thank you for the memories!

[@Porsche996driver]

That Nova V8 sound reminds me of cops racing around the school because we were on skateboards. Some things never change.

[@arttrombley7385]

In 64 I bought a 61 Ford Massachusetts State Trooper Car. It had a 406 with duel quads, 4 speed, bucket seats and a 2:02 rear gear. This car had an unknown top end, I buried the 160 M.P.H. Speedometer many times on the Mass Pike. I left the rear gear in it, what a car.

[@mrdiplomat9018]

Art Trombley Wow, I’ve never heard of a ratio that high! Never knew they even made them.

[@harddrivin1le-970]

My father was a MASS state trooper during those years as well as a serious "car guy." He did frequent pike patrol work out of the Lee Barracks (exit 2). No such engine was used by the MASS state police. Also, you're claim of "160 MPH" is downright laughable. There's an urban myth that supports that claim, though it has no legitimacy in fact. Indeed, it's documented fact that the 406 was never used in police duty vehicles: books.google.com/books?id=3ubSrMROTIoC&pg=PA39&lpg=PA39&dq=1961+ford+mass+state+trooper+car&source=bl&ots=g9RXwYr74V&sig=7I9Tn6Ea9i_pE96IJNUwIqs-gqY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj42ZDJypDcAhWZCDQIHcGMCFEQ6AEIhQEwEw#v=onepage&q=1961%20ford%20mass%20state%20trooper%20car&f=false The "hottest" engine employed by the MASS state police in 1961 Fords was the "330 HP" (Gross) 390, which was a pig. My dad drive them almost daily. Figure 120 MPH flat out with in full police trim. Get real. Everyone loses with false information.

[@ZGryphon]

I can only assume the Masspike was in better condtion in 1964. You'd be taking your life in your hands attempting anything like that speed on the jagged moonscape that passed for pavement the last time I was in Massachusetts.

[@124marsh]

@@ZGryphonNot to mention all the continuous road work that goes along that route there’s no way you can go that fast nowadays

[@BigRedPower59]

I am the proud owner of a 1995 Crown Vic. I love that car. Both myself and LEOs from around the world were sad to see it go. Big, comfortable, easy to repair. It's a rocket powered sofa on wheels. I've told my wife that the only reason I'd ever sell it would be to buy another, newer Crown Vic.

[@ericp6961]

Doesn’t compare to the performance of the 95 Caprice 9C1 w/ the LT1!

[@alext9067]

Jay always asks all the right questions and makes everyone feel at ease. A real natural.

[@Etienne_Diecast]

Time for a garage update/current projects!

[@TheRealPlato]

the garage has a dead mouse on the floor

[@pointlessgimmickyusername9196]

Absolutely. Those are some of my favourite JLG episodes, and it's been ages since the last one.

[@linglingjr]

The first car I ever bought was a 77 nova. Not in a million years would I expect to see a 4th gen nova on here!

[@SubaruWRXspdManual]

I couldn't stop looking at that guys mustache. I don't know if I hate it or if it's the coolest 'stache I've ever seen.

[@1miketerry]

God Bless Bill Sanders, owner of the featured 9C1 LASD UNIT. EOW 3-12-18 Slow hand salute!

[@LukesVintageRC]

I actually like the 4 door novas of this era, my sister had a yellow one with the straight 6 and drove it for years - quite a reliable car I remember

[@borginator1493]

That is a helluva mustache!

[@farnthboy]

I bet it tickles his wifes fancy.

[@bobjohnson205]

Or his boyfriend's! lol

[@MrEdwin57]

If that guy was ever rushed to the hospital with a serious illness no need to take his vital signs...Just take samples from his mustache ! Sir ...we found the problem !

[@Disques13Swing]

Makes Bolton's look second rate at best!!!

[@mikebrabant4170]

Quite the Cookie Duster!! lol

[@colehara]

I happened to walk into a liquor store in Anaheim in 1973 that was being robbed. When the cops showed up to take statements they were driving a Matador with the 401 engine. Sounded like it could really move.

[@corvettejohn4507]

1 Adam 12, see the man.

[@bullieboi]

Hey, I have been in that car! But I rode in the back.

[@bryanmartinez6600]

John Bourland was OJ Simpson there?

[@pcno2832]

My parents rejected a '75 Nova in favor of a Malibu simply because my 5' 11" frame would not fit in the back with my 5' 11" father driving. I can't imagine what it would be like to be jammed in the back of one with hands cuffed across my back; the phrase "cruel and unusual punishment" comes to mind.

[@deplorableb.r.4211]

You should do a review of the ride/view from the back seat.

[@kellyberry]

really? what were u arrested for?

[@justinofboulder]

having a tough time reading lips on this one...........

[@g60force]

wait he has lips? OMFG

[@paulog8813]

J 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@georgejacob3162]

6:24 - 6:39. The cop is talking about when he pulled Jay (the 'Car officianado') over! Cue awkward response from Jay!

[@reallyhappenings5597]

Did you interpret that as Jay having been the subject of the ticket? I didn't but interesting to consider.

[@chrisb3437]

think he meant guys like him

[@ant7018]

chris andretti Yeah thats what i got from it. But damn did he really have to say that? Catch jay speeding if he does, no need to put a warning out there.

[@Douglas-up2vh]

Them Nova's were Great cars. Easy to work on. Basically reliable, simple and easy to make a speed demon out of. Thanks Jay for the Memories.

[@RiledupInWI]

This episode takes me back to when I had my 1977 Nova police car; except mine wasn't the daily cruiser. It was a detective's car, so it got less abuse than the cruisers. Mine was brown with a black interior that could fry an egg in Summer. Anyone sitting in the back had to be let out, or they had to roll down the windows. Had pretty good acceleration, but it was the handling that stood out. Very flat in the corners. Mine still had the spotlight, which came in handy sometimes. I recall going to the drive-in with some buddies, and that evening they had a projector glitch. So out of the darkness I flip on the search light from halfway back, and lit up the screen to do some inappropriate hand gestures while they fixed the problem.

[@christorres9692]

That's badass. I drive a 78 Nova hatchback & it's tons of fun, I can only imagine how cool it would be with the police package

[@AnthonyJ74]

I had a 75 Nova Custom Hatchback. My grandpa bought it new, and then I bought as my first car. It had the 350 4-bbl V8. The car was fairly hot for its time. But the only problem is I could never get the rear hatchback to stop making noise. It would rattle anytime I went over a bump. It was annoying.

[@cocmaster4474]

@@AnthonyJ74 so???????

[@mackd2767]

Its like the gathering of the third gens lol I got a 78 with a trunk. I bought it with a 327 and a posi rearend when i was 19. Now its got a built 350 and th350 with like an 1800 rpm stall.. will be getting a 4 speed conversion soon.

[@owengary4840]

My Mother bought one of these a 76, 350 with a Rochester Quadrajet, It had belonged to "THE" Sheriff, I'm pretty sure it had well over 350 h.p. , I could completely smoke the snow tires from low thru drive. I embarassed a guy in a 'Lil Red Express truck, Destroyed a friend's '74 hot rodded Monte Carlo, i was doing 113 chasing a '69 Firebird, lots of pedal left. That car would do 300 ft. burnouts, every time I got in it the first thing I did was get it up to 100 m.p.h.- In retrospect I think my mother was trying to kill me by letting me drive that car for blowing up her '74 Gran Torino, I was 16 years old.

[@marvinsmith4221]

The regular Chey Nova was very reliable. My father had a 4dr 68. Over 300 plus miles was put on the car. He got rid of it in 1989. I had 77 Nova bought 2nd hand. Dam good running car!

[@liberatovillavicencio7159]

Gotta like Jay Leno’s reaction when the Sheriff reminds us of “Exhibition of Speeding,” offense. Reminds me of almost getting cited for exhibition of speeding, a week getting shipped off to boot camp and my recruiter had to go with me to the courthouse to get it taken care of.

[@rickyhildebrand114]

Back in the day my friends ,and myself worked at a rental car agency,and in doing so the nova such as this one gained our respect. This Nova ,and similar year camaros shared the same floor pan,and handled very much the same . The part I liked was the lower center of gravity,and handling. I felt very confident with this car as I would throw it through the turns. It was such a sturdy ,basic automobile,and was able to withstand a lot punishment,which in my opinion made me a true believer in the nova nameplate. I recall one at the dealerships lot that year,which was special order 2 door w/4speed. Guage pkg in "Firethorne" Red w/red interior. Oh to have that one back in the day,or even now Huh ?

[@recoilrob324]

I TRIED to buy a Police Nova back in '78...and could NOT get a dealer to order me one. The engine was the same LM1 as in the Camaro Z-28 and had 170 horses (160 in CA). No special 'Cop Engine' was offered and they were tired....but I thought the Nova would be lower profile for street racing. Ended up with a Z-28 when all efforts to get the Nova failed.

[@twinsonic65]

Motor Trend magazine in 1977 and 1978 had articles how to order the 9C1 Nova - but you need to find a dealer that would order you the car. COPO or Central Option Production Order - You had to do some quick research to find a dealer that dealt with ordering police package cars. BTW, in 1978, you could order a 250 in-line 6 or the 305 V/8 only with the 9C1 if the civilian wanted it only. The 350 V/8 was police only. 1977 was the last year for the LM1 350 V/8 engine for the Police/civilian use. You could order it with h/d radiator with fan/clutch from the C-10 truck line, coolers for oil, tranny, and power steering. Z/28 steering box with pitman arm and steering wheel. Impala/Caprice brakes, additional welds to the body, and police or civilian interior. If you knew about the Motor Trend articles, you could have outfitted the car anyway you wanted, but you had to know the Regular Production Codes (RPC). The article is posted on the internet.

[@828enigma6]

twinsonic65 I had one of those ersalz 9C1 Nova's, and yes, I specified all the police package options as recommended by Motor Trend when I ordered it new. Great car, never had any mechanical problems at all. Wish I hadn't sold it.

[@jamesholt9000]

If y'all are interested in buying police package vehicles, check out copcarsonline.com they not only sell to law enforcement agencies,they also sell to the public.

[@timlabell]

That guy's mustache in my face would drive me crazy ,however it is so nice to see my 1978 Chevy nova police car. I was a cadet for the city of Naperville Illinois police.That was my 1st police car, unbelievable, so nice to see it again.🚔

[@Mario_Gillette]

My grandmother had a 1976 Chevy Nova 2 door, green with the 1/4 vinyl roof. I miss that car! She sold it to one of my uncles friends who turned it into a hot rod.

[@int53185]

The old Crown Vics in my area in S.E. Wis. go to auction totally stripped of cop equipment but they remain black and white and always get a double look and slow down from most traffic.

[@1DEADBEEF1]

We reuise the equipment in the new squads so what was in a 2011 crown vic is now on a taurus or explorer

[@MiguelAngel-oh1ub]

LMAO @ J. Leno's reaction when the sheriff says you can be prosecuted for burnouts @ 4:08 hahaha. He's like "Good to know, wouldn't want to be caught " I love this guy. 😂

[@Fred-wy4ix]

My Department had a Nova with a 350 CID and with that light body, that sucker was fast. Not being a GM fan, I do give credit for the Nova being something of a Police Vehicle to be concerned with. Then came The Camaro's and The Mustang's. Both were appreciated and respected not only by the Officers and The Troopers who drove them, but yet, by the individuals who tried to run from the..

[@michaelgill7994]

I like how Jay not only makes the show about the cars but the custodians of the vehicles as well. It's like there are multiple guests starts.

[@znametep4159]

9C1's have beautifully savage power, endurance, reliability and performance all with unparalleled precision. Truly a car that's so much more than the sum of it's parts.

[@zrxdoug]

Savage power? LMAO! You need to get out more..

[@pault151]

Those Novas had decent performance, especially for the timeframe. I did a class report in 1977 comparing the police Nova with the police Volvo, both were more economical to run than the big body police packages. I picked the Volvo, but the instructor said my report made him want to know more about the Nova.... FWIW I later owned both a Nova (SS) and then a Volvo.

[@bobjohnson205]

@Paul Tibbs A police Volvo in '77? Tell us more about that one.

[@historiespiston9736]

I think you need to, those nova's had almost or just over 400 HP......which was back in 78+ was very nice.

[@harddrivin1le-970]

How does 170 SAE Net HP in a 3,800 pound car (including all police equipment) equate to "savage power?" chevynova.org/1978/1978%20Chevrolet%20Police%20Vehicles%205.jpg A 6 year old 4 cylinder Accord is a faster car than this Nova.

[@JonBlondell]

The spot is perfectly legal, in Texas at least. They come in handy. And police auction cars here leave them on. Along with the wireing harness. Some even are sold with lights and siren!

[@hyperlogos]

The spots are perfectly legal, for that matter so is a beacon or strobes. You just can't use any of it on a public road. Same in California.

[@jasonleedham5678]

I thought Jay would ask the cop, or was that too easy?

[@wldqq]

In my country it isnt even legal to keep the printing on, let alone the lights and sirenes. if you'd buy one from an auction you only can drive it after you have removed the printing

[@buckybarnes3803]

wldqq thanks Yakov Smirnoff

[@Bullwinkle056]

I wondered about that too. I don't think you can legally drive a badged police car around anywhere in the USA.

[@LlyleHunter]

I was looking for a used car in 1984 and I came very close to getting a 1976 Nova Concourse with all of the options. I Inspected the car so throughly that the seller was surprised that I wasn't a mechanic when I told him that I had to ask for my mechanic inspect it. I know that I should have gone with my gut because that was one great car and I never fully connected with the 76 Cutlass that I wound up with back then.

[@SMMHonda1]

As a cop back then we were hard pressed to find anything that was even mildly exciting to drive. We had one of these Novas and, while it was mildly quick, it was earth shattering. I suspect that this one is not entirely stock. When I first joined we had 440 Dodges and some 454 Chevs. They weren't 0-60 cars but they would top out at 135-140 mph.

[@xx_mecoboy_xx]

Jay back at it again with the classics.

[@mattdg1981]

Highway patrol: sir, do you k ow why I pulled you over? Jay Leno: ummm yeah. Because I let you.

[@JohnB-le2pi]

One of my favorite old cars that I used to own was a 1981 Chevy Malibu 4-dr ex-Sheriffs car. It was brown, with a 350 (in 1981 a 350 was not available in a standard Malibu) , which had a computer controlled carb and distributor. No window cranks or lock knobs on the rear doors, shotgun mount holes in the dashboard, along with big sway bars front and back as well as a Positraction 10-bolt rear axle. One of the favorite cars that I have ever owned- and I have owned some beauty's!

[@tierone4761]

Back in the day when the 9C1 Novas first came out, there was a guy named Harry Hammond at GM that was involved in the project of building a police package Nova & Malibu. Later on in the 1990’s he was credited with the LT1 Caprice 9C1, which was from 1994-1996, then Chevy pulled the plug on the production of them in favor of converting the plant in Arlington, Texas to building trucks, etc. The LT1’s are starting to become a sought after car to restore or just use as a daily driver, especially if they’re from the west or southern parts away from the rust belt.

[@TheAlpineProject]

Since the last cop car video I've been waiting on the 4th gen Nova to appear. Best cop car of its time.

[@63mrl]

"972-1974 AMC Matador Enforcer AMC seemed to always be on the verge of oblivion. That didn’t keep it from trying to raise its own profile with a police version of its mid-size Matador sedan. The 1972 Matador woke up with AMC’s largest 255-horsepower, 401-cubic inch V8. It became an iconic police car of the 1970s. “At that time American Motors didn’t have that great a reputation, but the Matador was an extremely good police car,” said veteran Los Angeles Police Department driving instructor Jerry Bush to Hemmings Muscle Machines in 2005. “It was fast, it had superior brakes to the Plymouths, and it handled pretty well. … We convinced Motor Transport Division that it would be best to train officers in the cars they’re going to be driving on the street and not in the older cars. They agreed - and gave us a fleet of 18 new Matadors.” As Matadors were retired from the LAPD fleet, they often wound up in movies and TV shows. It’s hard to get through an old episode of “The A-Team” or “The Rockford Files” without seeing one destroyed."

[@bustyrandit]

Don't forget Dukes of Hazzard

[@timdub70]

And the first Police Academy movie. Bubba Smith (Hightower) turned one over.

[@dominiquestephenson195]

So crazy that a base Tesla Model 3 blows the doors off that Matador by more than a second!

[@michaeldouthitt5972]

The Chevrolet Nova 9C1 was produced from 1976-78 and the LA County Sheriff's dept was its biggest customer. The LASD wanted a car that was more fuel efficient. These Novas had the LM1 Chevy 350 small block rated at 165-170 horsepower. 1978 was also the last year for the Dodge Monaco/Plymouth Fury police cars with the 440, rated at 255 (240 with California emissions) horsepower.

[@travelprint]

🇺🇸 My first car (1988) was a fire-engine-red 1978 Chevy Nova 😊. This brought back a few memories.👍

[@miguelsalami]

"YOU look like you should be on a can of baked beans or something"! "Try Bill's Baked Beans" That's a Great Mustache by the way" Jay Cracks me up❗

[@Marauder252]

Now do a video of the 9c1 Caprice vs p71 Crown vic. I bet it would get allot of views.

[@edwardmartinez199]

Marauder252 It sure would both good cars.

[@theroadahead415]

"245? Well it's not gonna catch me in the lambo. ;)" -jay is a beast

[@algergonzalez]

Talk about a tense interview!

[@kirkmooneyham]

An older cousin who was a police officer when I was a kid once said, "You can outrun my Chevrolet, but you cannot outrun the two-way (radio)".

[@rager522]

Well done sir. I have a soft spot for 75-80 X bodies I've owned 5 of them. I always thought of em as a great entry level hot rod certainly cheaper than the earlier Novas. Cool to see this variant.

[@SOFA_1997]

Definitely one of the best formats you can find on KZbin.

[@CrazyBear65]

I had a 78 Nova. It had a 350 two barrel with a turbo 350 transmission. I don't think it was ever a cop car, but damn if that front clip coming at you don't look familiar. Cops where I spent my teenage years getting chased by them had Caprices, LTDs, and Diplomats in the 80s. I got to where I could tell the shape of the lights in my mirror, whether I could make out the light bar or not.

[@willytheekid]

lol, jays reaction to "possible jail time", for doing a burn out...classic!

[@doctorferdinand1003]

Misdemeanors and jail time over a harmless burnout. Glad to see the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department is focusing their attention on the serious issues facing LA.

[@Camhin1]

Doctor Ferdinand it's considered dangerous driving, the Mustang jokes came from somewhere.

[@theblackhundreds7124]

Cops in California are a weird bunch. Some are good conservative people who care about crime. Some are just liberal losers who have this weird agenda.

[@JasonT404]

ruskodisco I'm sensing some political bias

[@ronaldckrausejr7762]

Do a show on the facts that the California emissions is a bit too strict. Talk to people throughout various dealership; foreign car or american car... There are many vehicles out there in the state of California that... Were bought six or seven years ago as brand new, and then babied almost every mile and given perfect dealer maintenance. Yet there are cars less than six years old and seventy thousand miles that will not pass California emissions. The owners left to get a replacement vehicle and even sell their past vehicle to an out of state owner, or take a "small" loss by reselling to the dealership

[@ChrisTheAspergerGuy]

I don't see what's liberal about jailing people over a burnout.

[@AM-st6ey]

LA county sheriffs are awesome, I’m a local trucker, I was broken down on E Alameda st Compton CA, sheriff came over to see how I was doing, came back 20 minutes later with a coffee & some beef jerky. Thank you deputy Hernandez!!

[@PhotographyByDerek]

That's the first model of patrol car that I drove and I loved it for municipal patrol. Boy, did they ever creak and groan with all of the sheet metal and mounts in the passenger compartment! I never lost a pursuit with another car on city streets. The freeway and chasing motorcycles presented a much different challenge.

[@mikes4700]

I bet that was a lot of fun. My ex step Dad drove these while he was with LASD. Still have the pics.

[@planejet42]

Some scary tech out there. Really increases the divide between the civilian and the police officer.

[@Tully3674]

I think Sheriff John got the horsepower rating wrong. LASD units have the 3.7 ltr with 305 hp (not 245 hp as the Crown Vic had). Some LASD & CHP units also come with the Ecoboost 3.5ltr (365hp).

[@i_read_bad_reviews]

Tully3674 they run the Ecoboost with a tune .

[@harddrivin1le-970]

He's also wrong about this Nova's HP rating. It was 170 HP (and 160 in California): chevynova.org/1978NovaPoliceBrochure4-5.html#1978%20Nova%20Police%20Brochure Jay really plays it "fast and loose" (a euphemism for generally wrong) with HP figures. He fails to different between the pre 1972 Gross ratings (essentially fictitious claims of test engines equipped with open long tube headers and no engine accessories of any kind) and the 1972 and later SAE Net ratings (the engine in its as installed state, with complete factory exhaust system, all engine accessories and factory air cleaner assembly in place). He also allows people to make silly claims regarding HP figures. Either he's playing along to get along or he's actually unaware of the raw truth.

[@Paperbacknovel]

Bought my 2004 Ford Crown Vic from Asia Motors in Chicago, via eBay. Asia specializes in reselling used Police Cars. Owner has a good eye for solid cars. I bought it in 2012 for $5,500; it had 55K miles on it. eBay ships it for $500. Brought it local trusted garage and he said it was 'very solid'. Have been driving it 5 years and am Super Happy. Spotlight is still on car; that is fine at least according to NY State law. Love, love, love my Crown Vic. Big car; good ride; sports suspension; power. When you get it onto highway in 5th gear it SINGS. It is king of the highway.

[@b.maguire3506]

Thanks for this Jay! And, for the TWO good Officers!!

[@pdennis93]

You see a lot of these old 9C1 novas on the later seasons of the Dukes of Hazzard as bad guy cars. They were likely purchased by the production company directly from the police auctions. Same with the 79 Malibus

[@MaximRecoil]

All of the cop cars on the show came from various California law enforcement agencies too; mostly late 1970s B-body Mopars, which were sometimes used for bad guy cars as well (fourth-generation Dodge Monaco and the Plymouth Fury version of it; 1971-1976 Dodge Coronets and the four-door Plymouth Satellite version of it, had the same body style but I don't think either of those were ever used as cop cars on the show), but there were also some C-body Mopars and AMC Matadors in the early episodes. The scene in the opening where Daisy steals the cop car; that was a C-body (third-generation Dodge Monaco or the Plymouth Fury version of it).

[@thecloneguyz]

What about the 9c1 Malibus? The RARE 5SPD MALIBU 78-80? M80 DEALER OPTION? ONLY 650 WERE MADE WITH 5SPD/F41 SUSPENSION/ 350/350

[@M21L35]

The Nova's you refer were all export-specific & were shipped to the Middle East.

[@MontrealMan1970]

@@thecloneguyz super rare was a 80 grand le mans with a saginaw 4-speed from the factory

[@MontrealMan1970]

@@thecloneguyz there was a non-9c1 '81 malibu v6 manual trans destined for iraq but remained & were sold in canada with a lovely horizontal 0-200 km/h speedo

[@Hiluxtaco]

This is how Jay gets out of all of those speeding tickets.. 😂

[@thecloneguyz]

He donates $100,000 to the LAPD and the LASD and the SWAT every single year so I'm guessing that that's how he gets off on his tickets

[@bloqk16]

I can attest that the Chevy Novas of that era could have impressive acceleration. My Mom had a 1977 Chevy Nova Concours, an upscale version of the Nova model; a three-door hatchback with a small V8 engine; where the acceleration from zero to 85 mph was amazingly quick. And I can only verify of the speed up to 85 mph since that is where the speedometer stopped registering the speed. Granted, the Chevy engines of that era didn't have high-horsepower for high top-end speed; but the acceleration torque it had was something to behold.

[@marctompkins3001]

78 Chevy Nova, the first car I ever drove. It was our drivers ed car that year.

[@RockandrollNegro]

I remember when NC State Highway Patrol tried finding replacements for the mid 70s C-Body Mopars (Gran Fury/Royal Monaco) with the giant 440s. They bought 500 Novas (regular duty) and 200 Malibus (pursuit/heavy duty) directly from Chevrolet. One year later the state declared the Nova and Malibu "unfit for highway duty" and ordered 1000 Ford LTDs (regular duty) and 500 Mustangs (pursuit/heavy duty) and didn't buy another Chevy until 1990.

[@828enigma6]

Marvin Harrison Smith II I lived in NC during that era. Don't recall the NCSHP ever using Chevy's, but you probably are right. My thought would be that it was some sort of political kickback. I had a Nova spec'ed out as a 9C1 that I bought new. It was a good car, ran good, no mechanical issues. And I tended to run my cars hard at that point in my life. Brakes were great.

[@klasseact6663]

The current officer is very official and your NOT talking your way out of ANY ticket with him!

[@jackandblaze5956]

He's not going to know how to act after he retires

[@davidroberts5601]

I used to have nearly that exact Nova. Totally miss it.

[@jb6027]

A tree fell on my unmarked Crown Vic. I got it back a few weeks later looking brand new and driving even better!

[@rob_boss]

My town has black suvs with dark gray graphics, you know they're no longer there to serve and protect, they're out to ticket you.

[@joelhuh268]

Rb Artistry Same in my town. Can't even tell it's a cop until it's too late.

[@abe2571]

Or they just like black suvs with gray graphics.

[@acog_quarks8753]

Don't break the law and you won't have to worry

[@dougtaylor2803]

Thieving scum bag municipalities!

[@RG-fc7ht]

Maybe they just like their cop cars that way or it's their paint scheme and if and usually if you know what cars are police cars then you'd be cautious around them.

[@gregorytimmons4777]

I always remember the early I'd Fury's the Washington State Patrol had with their lumpy cammed 440's.

[@thecloneguyz]

They just rebuilt another one and put it in the museum in Renton or Tacoma

[@cvcoco]

I still remember "9C1" which was the code for the cop package that you could get but the dealers never volunteered. I knew it from the Malibus, not the Novas, but youd want one too if you read the list of what you got.

[@ominous-omnipresent-they]

I bet that policeman is fun at parties. I like how Jay is all like, "My Lamborghini can beat that." Nice.

[@BrewtownFlyer]

“We’re not concerned with the 0-60”...said no street cop ever

[@jasoncarpp7742]

What good is 0-60 if you can't do 60-0?

[@LV426Survivor]

Yeah like you just know that car is JOOCED

[@techiecreations]

The officer with the modern car was very well spoken.

[@20alphabet]

He was a pedantic idiot.

[@KyngBKJ]

2pounce He said the Explorer has 245 hp, but it is rated for 305.

[@KyngBKJ]

There is a 3.7 Liter V6 305hp and a 3.5 EcoBoost 365hp.

[@bicylindrico]

It's because he is older. Now a days it's some meat head with tattoos that feels the public owes him something.

[@Terminxman]

there's a turbo version and NA. Some police departments don't get the turbo

[@salvagemonster3612]

It’s cool Jay is promoting BIG BROTHER scanning and watching you

[@TheRealMrBeercan]

When I was in high school back in the 1970s the local police showed up at party I was at. They came in a 1977 or 1978 Nova like that. While the police were inside talking to the sponsors of the party, two guys, Jay (not Leno) and Chris, got a screw driver wire cutter out and took the "Twin-sonic" light bar off the Nova. It was simply mounted with a couple of clamps that fastened it to the roof gutter. Boy, did that piss off the cops when they came back out to their car. Jay had that "Twin-sonic" light bar in his bedroom long after that incident. I remember the name plate for the thing "Twin-sonic." Jay rigged a 12-volt power supply in his bedroom and would turn on the cop light bar when a group of us guys came over to visit. I wonder if Jay still has that thing.

[@verdict1163]

all states should be like Texas, which is a "presumed speed limit state", meaning the legal speed limit is not the posted speed limit, but the speed at which it is safe to travel for the road/conditions. most speeding tickets are authoritarian government.

[@allenellsworth5799]

Toby Corbin True

[@caddyguy5369]

That would be a dream come true.

[@wowsplat]

Toby Corbin its the same way in california.

[@805NAVE]

Toby Corbin yeah I wish it was like that here in California

[@gearheadred]

Texas also leads the country in highway fatalities...

[@c_firebirdgo8639]

my memory of the 78 nova was one my neighbor had in the early 80's and the thing wasn't even 5yrs old and it was a rust bucket with no exhaust.

[@peters8758]

Where was that? NiagaRust? PennSALTvania? FrameRustham?

[@09dave1952]

When my department got one of these I had been driving a larger, older Chevy. This was back when "moving" radar was getting popular with police departments. I was used to meeting speeders then turning on to the shoulder and spinning around 180 degrees and going after them. The first speeder I got with the Nova, I swung onto the shoulder and spun the car around. It reacted so fast I did more of a 240 in the highway and ended up sitting crossways in the highway. It was a fun and fast patrol car when I got used to it. Interior was horribly cheap, had a couple of gauges hanging under the dash that looked they came from J C Whitney back in the day.

[@Dan-up6do]

I too love the Crown Vic, it became an icon in it's own life time. You're right as well it was Americas last body on frame production car.

[@Dan-up6do]

Yes you are correct, i know it's a U.S. & Canadian market car & for the last few years of it's production it was only available to law enforcement & not the public. I just thought where it was built wasn't that important. I apologies.

[@Dan-up6do]

That's pretty cool, I'm not in law enforcement in fact i'm not even American, i'm a car bore from across the pond. I've heard some forces in the U.S. have stock pilled Crown Vics as there quite fond of them & are easy to work on, a bit like our forces did with the Rover SD1 V8.

[@828enigma6]

Sturdy cars, but they badly needed bigger engines or superchargers. Top speed wasn't bad but it too to long to get it wound up.