The Chevrolet SSR (Super Sport Roadster) is a retractable hardtop convertible pickup truck manufactured by Chevrolet between 2003 and 2006. The 2003 and 2004 models used General Motors' Vortec 5300 engine, a 5.3 L 300 hp V8. Performance was 7.7 s to 60 mph (97 km/h) with a 15.9 s/86.4 mph quarter mile run. The 2005 SSR used the 390 hp (291 kW) LS2 V8 also found in the C6 Corvette and Pontiac GTO, and also offered a manual transmission (the six-speed Tremec) for the first time, as an option. For the 2006 model year, the LS2 engine featured minor modifications that boosted its output to 395 hp (automatic transmission) and 400 hp (manual transmission), respectively. In addition, GM badges were added to the vehicle.
Design
The SSR was designed to bring back the nostalgia of the 1940s Chevrolet trucks, especially the Advance Design pickups, with its "retro" styling and the steel retractable hardtop crafted by ASC. This inspiration was evident in its 2000 SuperSport Roadster concept car, which closely mirrored the production model. Chevrolet even had the SSR pace the 2003 Indianapolis 500.
Sales
Unfortunately, the 2004 model sold below expectations with under 9,000 sales at US$42,000 each. This led to five weeks of layoffs at Lansing Craft Centre, the factory that made the SSR. With a 301-day supply, GM decided to close the facility in mid-2006 and cease the production of the SSR. Analysts estimate that a total of 24,150 SSRs were produced in total, with 24,112 being available for public sale. The very last SSR, a unique black-on-silver model, was built on March 17, 2006.
Marketing
The introduction of the SSR to the market began through a 60-second advertisement that debuted on New Year's Eve 2003. It was directed by Michael Bay and showcased six new vehicles board a car carrier as it travelled throughout the U.S. It featured the SSR boarding the carrier in reverse while the carrier was driving down a desert highway. In addition, the advertisement was set to Steppenwolf's Magic Carpet Ride.
Motorsport
Apart from being used as the Indiana 500 pace car in 2003, an SSR was entered in the Bonneville Nationals Speed Trials in August 2011. The truck was modified, and it faced the much more aerodynamic GMC Sonoma for the C/MMP class record. Although the SSR did not win the record, it still proved valuable in the long run as it ran at 219.3 mph (352.9 km/h).
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