1980 Dodge

St. Regis Police Car

318-V8 (5.2 Liter) EFI

Automatic

EH42HAAXXXXXXX

Clear

INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION You are viewing my 1980 Dodge St. Regis, an ex-police vehicle equipped with the 318 cu. in. HP (high performance V8, RPO code E48, “H“ in the VIN), mated to the heavy duty 727 “Torqueflite” (RPO code D36) three-speed automatic transmission and a "Sure-Grip" 2.94:1 ratio, heavy-duty 8 3/4 rear end. It is almost 100% completely original (except as described below), "numbers-matching" with respect to its powertrain and major body parts. It has just over 76,000 original miles (as of the date of this auction) and has had three owners (including me) since its retirement. The long wheel-base Chrysler R-Bodies (essentially a continuation of the B-body under the skin) only lasted three model years (1979-1981) until the down-sized M-bodies replaced them. The R-bodies included the St. Regis, Newport, and Gran Fury nameplates, with the St. Regis being the highest seller of the three. This particular St. Regis was in law enforcement service in Northern California when it was purchased new. I do not have the history of this vehicle when it was in law enforcement service (believed to be a Santa Clara county vehicle but this cannot be confirmed).I do know the first owner purchased it at a municipal auction in the San Francisco/Oakland area in the 1990's and it had 44,000 miles on it. The vehicle remained in the Bay Area until late 2005 when the second owner (a relative of the first owner) obtained it. Official State of California emissions inspection documents (which are still available) indicates the mileage was at about 64,000 in the spring of 1999 and about 68,000 in the summer of 2005. The second owner made three cross-country trips (about 8,000 miles) between California and New York State in late 2005/early 2006. This accounts for the bulk of the added mileage it had when I purchased it in 2007 at just over 75,000 miles. Decoding the "numbers" for this car shows the following (note that the VIN is still the 13 digit convention through 1980 model year): The first seven elements of the VIN are EH42HAA, E= Dodge St. Regis, H= High Price Class, 42 = Four Door B-Pillar Hardtop Sedan, H = heavy duty 318-V8 with four barrel carburetor, A = 1980 Model year, and A = Lynch Road Assembly in Detroit MI. The RPO codes are listed on 3 metal tags located under the hood. The third tag only has "PREP LINE" stamped on it, basically meaning a plant designation for assembling a police car body (eg., reinforced body welds, other heavy-duty frame parts, etc). The RPO code "A38" for police package is on the primary RPO tag. The vehicle has its original "numbers-matching" engine (VIN sequence number is stamped on block). The engine has an older version of an aftermarket Holley-brand Pro-Jection electronic fuel injection (EFI) system. This is the complete EFI system (you can look them up online), with a 670-cfm (flows fuel like a four barrel carburetor) throttle body assembly, mated to an Edelbrock-brand aluminum intake, and with all the other required fuel line, filters, fuel pump, and controller content. The first owner spent over $2,000 in parts and labor to get this system installed. Of course, the factory "Lean-Burn" system is not operating.The installation and operating instructions for the EFI system will be included with the vehicle. While not a racing-grade system (its only rated up to for 275 horsepower), the EFI system makes a an improvement in power and responsiveness, giving this St. Regis a "zip" it never had from the factory. Yes, if you wanted to put the correct factory cast-iron intake and Thermoquad back on the car, those parts are readily available as used pieces ... but note most of the other electronic EFI fuel delivery components/certain fuel lines would need to go back to the OEM parts as well. The transmission is a rebuilt unit that is not original to the car but is correct for the car. The rear end is the original heavy-duty "Sure-Grip" unit. The big brakes, quick-ratio power steering, anti-sway bars front and rear, auxiliary fluid cooling, 125-mph speedometer ...in other words the heavy-duty police content .. is all still there. The single exhaust is 2½ inches in diameter and vehicle has an aftermarket catalytic converter. The A/C and heat system is working fine, as are all gauges and non-police electronic equipment except the rear window defogger. The tires are 225/70-15 Michelin performance radials, except these tires are nearing the end of their useful life. The external rubber window scrapers have age-related deterioration. Bright external finishes are driver-quality and consistent with age of vehicle. The headlight doors operate fine as shown. The hood ornament is missing as is the passenger front wheel lip molding. The civilian California plates shown are of course long expired but will be included with the vehicle. This St. Regis also has its original, factory-installed interior. The heavy-duty police bench seats, door panels, headliner and dash are in very good condition, as well as all glass and trim parts, except the windshield has chip inside (something glued on in the past came down taking a chunk of glass with it). The manual windows are a little balky and the rear door windows only go down halfway (typical of police cars). The rear doors operate with the inside handle. The carpet was replaced by a previous owner and there is no rubber floor underneath. The light assembly in the rear window is an aftermarket high-mounted stop/turn lamp (i.e, not police equipment). The vintage Motorola-brand police radio head unit and speaker, CB unit, and deck antennas are not electronically connected (operating condition is unknown). There is no civilian radio (although the vehicle was equipped with four speaker system from the factory) as the EFI controller and air/fuel monitor occupies that spot in the dash. You can relocate this EFI equipment if you wish and replace the radio as suitable OEM radios and dash plates are also easily obtainable as used pieces. The vehicle has a factory-electric antenna that is still installed in the passenger front fender but not operating (condition unknown). This vehicle is rust free, which means it has no body panel or frame rust repair or deterioration. I did have this vehicle professionally refinished (in a base coat/clear coat job) in its original “Natural Suede Tan” (RPO code TT4) in 2007. The original paint had weathered beyond any amount of detailing to bring it back. The original plastic bumper extensions (front and back) have survived and are in very good condition for their age (they are warped and somewhat brittle in areas but fully intact) which is good because they are very difficult to find nowadays. This St. Regis police car is still in exceptional condition. To those of you who know (or want to research) your Mopar squads, an "R" body Chrysler police car in this highly original, low-mileage condition is just not going to turn up everyday. Like most police cars, many didn't survive their original duty service, or met an undignified end in a demo derby or as a rusting hulk in some scrap yard. There are better known Mopar squads from over the years, but this St. Regis is one of the rarest police cars Chrysler ever made given the entire platform only ran for a scant three-model years.This vehicle was very well maintained for 25 years, was professionally "refreshed" externally 6 years ago, and as a bit more "zip" than it had when it was built due to its after-market EFI system. I truly hope it finds a good home with a conscientious new owner who will preserve and improve upon it where/when needed for many years to come. AUCTION SUCCESS CONSIDERATIONS I have established a reasonable reserve (which will not be revealed while the auction is running) for this 1980 Dodge St. Regis Police Car. Please consider bidding during the auction to the extent and level you deem appropriate and based on whatever factors are important to you. Other websites sometimes pick up Ebay auctions and that may give the appearance that this vehicle is for sale on those other venues. Be assured that this vehicle is not available for sale through any other site other than Ebay. Please note that I reserve the right to end this auction early at my sole discretion. If reserve is not met, I may provide Second Chance Offers (SCO) through the Ebay system, but note that this is only possible with people who actually bid during the auction. If you get a SCO (which is a Buy-It-Now auction that only the seller and the bidder to whom it was sent can access), it will only come through, the Ebay system (meaning it will appear in your Ebay mailbox) and it will be for a 24-hour duration. Depending on where the recorded bidding ends, and if the reserve is not met, I may also write the high bidder(s) through the Ebay system only, one at a time in the order of their final recorded bids, to discuss the item. If I do not hear back from a bidder in a day or two after writing them, I have to assume that person is not interested and I may move on to the next person. I am sorry in advance for the following realizing it will not apply to the vast majority of responsible Ebay members: Encountering non-paying or unresponsive bidders is about the worst thing that can happen in a vehicle auction as it makes the auction experience bad for the seller and all legitimate potential buyers. Please BE SURE BEFORE YOU BID that you have done whatever you need to do to STAND BEHIND the actual bid(s) YOU MADE and were recorded during the auction. Because of a tendency to simply misunderstand or just outright ignore Ebay and seller auction requirements, bidders with less than 5 (five) feedback ratings may, at my discretion have their bids canceled (I may or may not try to contact you before canceling your bid) and then blocked from further bidding on this auction unless they contact me in advance of bidding. Bidders who make and then cancel their bid(s) will also be blocked from further bidding on this auction.Bidders outside the continental United States are welcome to bid but also must email me before bidding to discuss important payment and shipping procedures. INSPECTION AND WARRANTY INFORMATIONPlease ask any questions that you may have that may not have been answered by this detailed listing narrative and visual media attachments. My listings are constructed in complete sentences in order to communicate my knowledge of important facts and to encourage independent thoughts and then any questions from interested parties.But respectfully, I do not know what is important to you that may not have been discussed herein unless you ask me. Any and all relevant and appropriate questions you submit while the auction is running will be answered promptly and as thoroughly as possible by email only to ensure clarity of any correspondences. Given that this is a used police vehicle, please do not have unreasonable expectations as to its current condition or future condition under your ownership. Also given its obvious age, this vehicle represents whatever standards of quality and workmanship that existed when it was built, so comparisons to vastly improved build standards of today's vehicles is not appropriate. Your bid forms the basis for a binding, legally enforceable contract. As such, if you require it, please make all pre-purchase inspections (at the sole expense of the bidder) before committing to purchase the vehicle. Inspections can be done by appointment only by you or your designated inspection service. Although I believe I have described and depicted (with numerous high-resolution photographs and video) this vehicle accurately, please note that this vehicle is sold "as-is, where-is” with no express or implied warranties or guarantees of any kind. With the required legal statements provided, I am a reasonable person and I know potential buyers may not be able to see this vehicle before bidding. If the winning bidder was unable do a pre-bid inspection and then determines that, after submitting a timely deposit but before taking delivery, I did not accurately represent the vehicle in some significant and obvious way, I will immediately refund your entire deposit and we can both move on without any further obligation to each other. Please recognize that this is not an invitation for potential bidders to skip your own pre-purchase due diligence and is not an opportunity for me and the winning bidder to try later to negotiate away our respective contractual responsibilities. PAYMENT AND STORAGE A $500 deposit is required from the winning bidder, due electronically via PayPal within 24 hours after the auction ends, to hold the vehicle. I will not be accepting trades. Full payment is due within 3 days of auction end via cash, wire transfer, or certified bank check (drawn on a major US bank). Clear title in my name is in hand and vehicle can be scheduled for buyer pickup by appointment at anytime after full payment is received and cleared. I can hold the vehicle in indoor storage for 15 days (or longer, if weather or other uncontrollable factors emerge) at no charge to the winning bidder after the auction (the charge is $15.00 per day after 15 days). Thank you for viewing my auction. On Feb-14-13 at 07:28:09 PST, seller added the following information: I do not know how many St. Regis Police cars were made, since Chrysler Corporation has no "build cards/sheets" (which detail RPO's for each car built) available past 1967 and into the 1980's due to a fire that destroyed the detailed records (Source: Chrysler Museum, Auburn Hills MI) . Two sources I know about, however, estimate (in round numbers) the number of St. Regis nameplate police cars produced as follows. (1) Credible internet sources show 18.000 to 20,000 in 1979, 5,000 to 6,000 in 1980, and 2.000 to 3,000 in 1981 the final year. (2) Production data of all St. Regis models (police and civilian, all powertrains) and fleet penetration (almost always law enforcement) is known with some accuracy: about 34,000 in 1979 (50% police), 14,000 in 1980 (45% police), and 5.400 (40% police) in 1981 (Source: Standard Catalog Chrysler, 1924-1990). Do the math on the aggregate nameplate production, times fleet penetration rate from that era, and you get about the same number range of St. Regis police cars as the other sources report by year. These St. Regis police car production estimates seem reasonable to me but if you want to confirm this please investigate all sources as you see fit and form your own conclusions. How many St. Regis Police cars are left? Who knows, but my belief is not many. So after almost 32 years since last one was made, probably a couple thousand are still in existence (not counting any ultra-low volume Newports or Gran Fury R bodies), probably half of those still on the road, and then maybe 10%-20% of those in equivalent or better condition than my St. Regis. Again, please form your own conclusions ...I am just communicating what I know to help interested parties research the rarity of this vehicle.