2005 Chevy SSR
Vendor: Chris Macey
Telephone: 01242 525277
email: chris.macey22@icloud.com
Price: £21,500
Debuting at the 2000 Detroit Auto Show as a concept vehicle, the SSR very much hails from what we might look back on as a golden era in the late Nineties/early Noughties when retro-styled concepts went from unveiling to full blown production in very short periods of time. Think of the Prowler, P/T Cruiser or last generation Thunderbird. The SSR has to be probably one of the stand-out vehicles of this era, with its flared fenders, retro styling and clever use of bow-tie styling of yore.
The SSR (Super Sport Roadster) was built by Chevrolet between 2003 and 2006 and was a relatively low production vehicle, with only 38,272 in total built. They were not cheap either, ranging from the low $40k to pushing $50k depending on options and packages ordered.
While the early version had the 300bhp
5.3 litre Vortex engine, the 2005-2006 models had the more desirable 6 litre LS2 C6 corvette engine, which is good for 395 – 400bhp. The SSR is unique as it has a metal retractable hardtop and, as such, is as far as we’re aware the only convertible pick-up truck ever designed for mass-production by a manufacturer.
This SSR was bought new from Bob Taylor Chevrolet of Naples, Florida and shipped straight to the UK. The first owner ordered all the extra options available for it at the time. These include Bose sound system, running boards, heated seats, extra gauge cluster, carpeted rear bed, cargo-net, removable tow bar and chrome wheels. Says current owner and vendor of the chrome wheels (20 inch on the back, 19 inch on the front): “Sadly these have gone the way of many chrome wheels and have now been replaced with silver alloys.” The original owner also had a Prins LPG system installed in 2005 and this is still working fine, apparently.
The first owner kept the car for seven years and then sold it on and the second owner moved to Portugal and took the Chevy with him. Chris purchased the SSR from him when he agreed to bring the car back to the UK when he was visiting family. Chris says: “As I always do when I buy a new vehicle, I changed the oil (using Mobile 1) and fitted a K and N air Filter. I’ve had the LPG system checked. Changed the plugs and fitted new leads as well. I’ve also purchased many upgrades from Simple Engineering of
Phoenix, Arizona; they have made and designed many parts which GM should have used in the first place. For instance the original fan is the same as used on a VW Passat! I’ve also upgraded the radiator.”
The mechanical ballet these pick-ups perform when lowering their retractable tops is reminiscent of that of the big Fifties Ford Skyliners – the only difference being the speed and reliability of the SSR’s system. This SSR is located in Cheltenham Gloucesteshire, has 49,000 miles on the clock, and an MoT until July 2021. It also comes with the original bill of sale, window sticker and lots of history. If you’re looking for a unique vehicle and rapidly appreciating modern classic, this could be just the vehicle for you.