Cops N Rodders

Hello Tipp City, and welcome to the second edition of Cops N Rodders. I have been so humbled and honored by all of the positive feedback from our first edition of the column. I have also been a little overwhelmed by how many responses I have gotten from that first story.

Having that said, let's get into it.

This month's car is right here in Tipp City. It’s a 1963 Plymouth Savoy two-door sedan. This car was a former Michigan State Police Car!

This classic is owned by Michael Ortel, who bought it when he was just 14 years old. He, his father, brother, and a few friends put the car together over the years. Michael and his family live in a “MoPar” garage. I was impressed with his shop the day I stopped over and visited him to see the car.

One word - Impressive.

So, let's talk about the history of the Plymouth Savoy:

In 1963, the Michigan State Police (MSP) introduced the Plymouth Savoy two-door sedan as a high-performance patrol car, continuing their tradition of using powerful yet practical police vehicles. The MSP had a long-standing reputation for selecting the best-performing cars available, often opting for models that balanced speed, durability, and affordability. The 1963 Plymouth Savoy, with its potent engine and lightweight design, fit their needs perfectly.

The 1963 Plymouth Savoy used by the Michigan State Police was powered by a 383-cubic-inch V8 engine, delivering 330 horsepower. This was a significant upgrade from many standard patrol vehicles of the era. The Savoy provided officers with the speed and handling necessary for highway patrol and high-speed pursuits, equipped with a heavy-duty suspension, upgraded brakes, and a reinforced frame. Its 3-speed automatic transmission and twin-carburetor setup gave it quick acceleration, while the aerodynamic yet boxy design contributed to its stability at high speeds.

One unique aspect of the MSP’s fleet was its preference for two-door models, a rarity in police work at the time. At the same time, most departments opted for four-door sedans to accommodate multiple officers or suspects. The MSP prioritized speed and handling, often patrolling Michigan’s extensive highway system. The lighter weight of the two-door Savoy made it even faster than its four-door counterparts.

The 1963 Plymouth Savoy patrol cars featured the classic “State Police Blue” paint scheme with the distinctive red “gumball” rotating light mounted on the roof. This single light has been the signature of MSP vehicles for decades. The car also had golden Michigan State Police insignias on the doors and was equipped with a siren and police radio for communication with dispatch and other units.

The 1963 Plymouth Savoy remains one of the most iconic MSP patrol cars, representing an era when police departments sought muscle-car performance in their fleets. Today, collectors seek vintage MSP Savoys, and restored versions occasionally appear in parades and car shows. The use of this high-powered vehicle solidified the Michigan State Police’s reputation as pioneers in police vehicle testing and selection—a tradition that continues with their annual police vehicle evaluations.

Michael and his father traveled to Michigan to buy the car. He said it was parked behind a barn. They negotiated a price and then brought the car home. Once home, they did not realize it was a former MSP Cruiser. They did a little research and then determined it was, in fact, a former MSP Cruiser.

Michael states that it took 14 years to get the car completed.

The car is now the factory color of Light Green. However, he kept the original build plate in the factory Michigan State Police blue. His car features a well-built 440, now 500 Cubic inch V8 Hemi, featuring twin four-barrel carburetors.

The car is built as a drag car. He stated that the last time he had it at the drag strip, it did 9.90 in the quarter mile, with a speed of 130 mph! That’s Impressive!

The paint and bodywork are exceptional, and the attention to detail is amazing. The interior is mostly stock; however, it does have a roll cage and some bracing on the frame to keep the car straight in the quarter mile. They have had the car out at the Mum Festival Car show a few times, so it is able to be driven on the street.

Thank you, Michael, for sharing your story and the story of your car with us!

Do you have a car with a great story you’d like featured in this column? You can email me at Marcthecop@tippgazette.com,

The opinions and statements in this column are those of the author, who is not affiliated with any law enforcement agency. This column is for entertainment purposes only. Persons referred to may be fictional for comedic purposes only.