| Toyota Camry CHP Prototype |
|
How
is this for a change? When the
California Highway Patrol wanted a Toyota Camry to test as a CHP vehicle- they
also gave an 80+ list that the vehicle must be equipped with and modified to
perform. The must list included:
standards for acceleration, sustained top speed, an hour idle capability, slalom
course agility, electrical reserve: stand-by (engine off) and full chase (siren/lights
on), 250 lbs. seat standard w/ easy access
(to accommodate side firearms!), tire specifications, among other things.
The strangest requirement was that the vehicle must be able to jump 7-inch
curbs at least 40 times without suspension or wheel damage! TRD USA coordinated the project build-up and Toysport was in
charge of procuring most of the parts. There were two units to prepare- one was a Camry All-Trac (4
cylinder 5-speed) and the other was the (then) new V6 FWD. Gathering the parts
was actually fun. No budget and access to any Toyota part!
The units came from Toyota Denver Region- so they had the heavy-duty
electricals, good for at least 10-12 items off the list.
Going over Toyota parts microfiche for overseas models yielded- a heavy-duty
radiator, 15X6 steel wheels, HD wheel studs, heavy-duty suspension bushings,
and another 17-20 pieces off the list.
The TRD catalog added another 12-15 more parts- brake pads, suspension,
clutch, etc.
The
TRD Rally springs and shocks from the Celica All-Trac fit with minor modifications.
Lower arms and strut housings were reinforced (those curbs was a recurring
nightmare). Sway-Away bent some hefty sway bars and push bars.
Upper strut bars were Celica pieces.
Recaro Police seats with low side bolsters were mounted on lowered seat
rails (headroom for their CHP hats!). Police tires from Goodyear. A modified
and programmable ECU from Nippon Denso 9we kept one!) and new exhaust were the
only engine mods. We were not allowed to touch the engine.
The 3SGTE was ready! It
is so strange to see a black and white CHP Camry in complete police trim. Yes,
we tried and tried the siren and intercom (to test electrical load…), and no,
we could not drive it!
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