1981 Chevy Camaro Z28 Joins Michigan Police Fleet: Video
3
Sponsored Links
Law enforcement officers in Michigan have a new ride at their disposal, but it’s not what you might expect. The Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office recently unveiled this specially equipped 1981 Chevy Camaro Z28, which was thoroughly upgraded and is now ready for use as a patrol vehicle. According to Sheriff William Federspiel, the vehicle was acquired and upgraded without spending taxpayer money.
According to a recent report from local CBS / MyNetworkTV news affiliate WNEM-TV, the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office acquired the 1981 Camaro as part of a forfeiture stemming from a 17-month investigation. The investigation ended with a number of individuals going to prison, apparently with ties to criminal drug cartels.
According to Sheriff Federspiel, the car was also upgraded using money pulled from the drug forfeiture fund. The Camaro now includes a black-and-white paint job, sheriff patrol graphics, lights, and several other components required of a patrol vehicle.
“Well I’ve had people say, ‘Boy if I was sheriff, I wouldn’t do that.’ Well be careful, because if I didn’t do this, we’ve got Dodge Chargers which are probably the least expensive cars in our fleet that cost $42,000,” Federspiel said. “I would never buy a car with taxpayer funds for me to drive around in when I can do this.”
According to Federspiel, the Camaro and the cost of the upgrades (lights, paint, fuel) was a $29,000 expenditure from the drug forfeiture fund. The car was reportedly appraised at more than $42,000.
Federspiel considers the Camaro to be a warning to drug dealers.
“I’m not afraid. I’m not afraid to let drug dealers know that I’m coming for them if they want to continue to do that type of work here in Saginaw County. We won’t tolerate it,” the sheriff said.
Back in 2021, GM Authority covered the story of a C7-generation Chevy Corvette and fifth-generation Chevy Camaro that were seized by Ohio Highway Patrol as part of separate drug investigations and repurposed as highway patrol cars.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Camaro news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Sponsored Links
I had an ’81 Z28 back in the day. Great car back then but painfully slow in todays world. Hope it has some engine mods.
A swap would best. -Keep the matching numbers on a stand, and have fun.
Yup. I was thinking the same thing. Might be able to catch late model Civic.