He should have put a description up in the auction.  When cop cars
are used they take off the lights and stuff and sell them just like any
other car.
And apparently if the cops buy too many they are free to sell them
also.  He should have said so and saved himself from so many questions.

Some jurisdictions, cops buy or lease their own vehicle and the local
jurisdiction equips it. Most places which have distinctive paint
schemes (like CA with the black car, white doors) the car colors have
to be changed so the vehicle won't be mistaken by other drivers. This
can be as simple as repainting the doors, or doing a complete repaint.
Something to do with laws prohibiting the  impersonating a law
enforcement agent for the purpose of committing a crime (kidnap, rape,
robbery, embezzlement, etc).

Years ago, one of my subordinates bought a CHP vehicle at auction. It
cost him more to get the engine tuned than the car cost him.... not to
mention the suspension was beat all to heck by many hard miles. It did
more sitting than running.

Hey! Spikey Likes IT!
1965 Ford Mustang fastback 2+2 A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok
Vintage Burgundy w/Black Standard Interior
Vintage 40 Wheels 16X8"
w/BF Goodrich Comp T/A Radial 225/50ZR16

There was a time when one could not buy an Interceptor unless the
buyer was a government agency because it was sold with an
emission exemption.  Todays Interceptor meets all EPA emission
standard.  It far exceeds the NHTSA standards as well.  Any
dealer can sell you an Interceptor.  You need to talk to the
Fleet Sales Manager, not the Sales Manager.  The dealer uses the
generic fleet code to order a P71 vehicle, the same one they use
to order their rental or loaner cars.  You can even get the fleet
discount of $400 if you buy five of them, but not for one.  ;)

mike hunt