Two friends – Frenchman Stéphane Collignon and Luxembourger Patrick Sarti – are turning heads across the Grand Duchy as they cruise in authentic Ford Crown Victoria police interceptors, complete with full SWAT gear.
While their striking appearances prompt double-takes from pedestrians and genuine officers alike, the pair emphasise their hobby remains strictly within legal boundaries.
The 63-year-old Sarti, a retired Pétange resident, inherited his love for US vehicles from his father, a longtime collector, and his mother, who – while pregnant with him – would go on transatlantic road trips. In 2020, he bought the Ford Crown Victoria Interceptor 7, an iconic US police car, from a former officer. The vehicle, perfectly preserved, had been sitting in a garage since it was imported. “I fell in love as soon as I saw it”, he recalls.
Collignon, 57, needed little persuasion to join the hobby. The French national acquired his own decommissioned police vehicle from a Belgian retiree after persistent negotiations. “I had to really pester him to sell it to me. I harassed him a bit”, the Mont-Saint-Martin resident jokes.
Both men operate within strict legal parameters. Their vehicles have passed Luxembourg’s technical inspections and received TUV certification, with all emergency lights and sirens permanently deactivated for public road use. French authorities have granted Collignon limited authorisation strictly for private, closed-circuit events, and neither enthusiast carries any form of weapon replicas.
The two men are careful never to cross the line and even report positive interactions with actual law enforcement. “Police officers stop us to take photos. Once, we were asked to fake an arrest for an amateur film shoot”, Patrick smiles.
Maintaining their authentic police interceptors requires significant investment. Each vehicle carries a price tag of €15,000 to €25,000, plus ongoing maintenance, specialised equipment, and occasional import fees. “It’s an expensive hobby, but one we’re happy to pay for,” the pair acknowledge. Collignon’s collection extends beyond police vehicles – he also owns a 1967 Mustang, 1972 R12TS, and 1976 BMW E10. “I’ve even got my partner hooked,” he adds with a laugh.
Though not seeking attention, the duo have become minor local celebrities. Their vehicles and SWAT attire are frequently requested for weddings, parades, and special events. Collignon recalls memorable encounters: “One time, a woman asked us to put her in handcuffs just for fun. Another time, we were the bride’s chauffeurs.”
For Sarti, the hobby transcends performance. “This isn’t an act – it’s a genuine passion”, he explains. A life-sized, Luxembourgish remake of Starsky and Hutch.
