There was a clause in the auction rules that said auctioned cars that were the 'distinctive' (their word!) blue and gold of the NYSP had to be repainted within 2 weeks of being registered.

Really? Did not know that. In '84 (when I was in HS) I had a '77 Gran Fury that was an ex NYSP car and it was still blue and yellow. I got pulled over A LOT because of the color and finally a cop told me paint it or be arrested for impersonating an officer. I brush and rollered mine with Rustoleum satin black from the blue up. Only got stopped once after that.

I briefly owned a 'regular' '79 Newport. To me the car seemed more balanced and 'felt' lighter than a B-body.