Pursuing Chargers, Ex-Highway VK

Stewart Graham’s ex-Highway Patrol 1976 Charger has been returned to its in-service appearance, and you’re most likely to find it on display somewhere at the request of the NSW Police.

The Highway Patrol was introduced in NSW on Monday March 17th 1975 to phase out the  Special Traffic Patrol. And back in those days, the NSW Police bought their car fleet from manufacturers in Australia, so that meant Ford, Holden, and Chrysler.

What drew Stewart to this 1976 Chrysler VK Valiant Charger XL police pack were firstly, it’s a Charger, and secondly it’s an ex-Highway Patrol car. He reckons that decked out as it was in period with its decals, lights and sirens “it just looked awesome” and we have to agree.

Stewart bought the Charger mostly as-is, and what wasn’t already on it was at least in it, specifically the decals and roof bar which you can see he has put back on it, along with those lights and sirens.

The car itself features a few option codes that were police or government-only and a 318ci LA Fireball V8, which has admittedly been modified a little during a rebuild. The car also has a Torqueflite A904 3-speed automatic transmission, a Borg Warner diff with the Chrysler-named Suregrip limited-slip centre, and a very ’70s brown vinyl interior.

Apart from preserving it the way it is Stewart also brings it out for NSW Historic Police displays. In 2015 for example, the NSW Police mark the 100th anniversary of including women amongst their ranks so expect to see several historic cars, bikes, paddy wagons and other vehicles included in the celebrations.

There is a full feature on Stewart’s ex-Highway Patrol Charger in a special magazine called Original Chargers, available in print now.

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