The early years of the 21st century brought a wave of nostalgia across America. The Big 3 automotive giants in Detroit all employed design teams who had the same idea: Go retro.
Along came the Chrysler PT Cruiser (2001), the Ford Thunderbird (2002), and the Chevrolet SSR (2003), among other vehicles with exterior design language that harkened back many decades prior. What was old became new again, or was it the other way around?
The Pick of the Day is a 2005 Chevrolet SSR roadster pickup with only 2,200 miles on it, listed by a Palm Desert, California, private seller on ClassicCars.com. The SSR, which stood for Super Sport Roadster, combined a truck, a muscle car and a roadster all into the same vehicle. It was produced for model years 2003 through 2006, and an estimated 24,000 were sold during that timeframe.
One of those trucks finished in two-tone silver and black, this SSR has traveled a mere 2,200 miles since its production 15 years ago. It “even smells new,” the seller says.
This SSR has been treated to some customization in the form of pinstriping, embroidered seats and red brake-caliper covers. The seller states that the Michelin tires are new.
The SSR for 2005 had the heart of a Corvette, in the form of a 6.0-liter 390-horsepower LS2 V8. Despite the pickup’s size, it was good for 0-60 numbers in the sub-six-second range. The SSR was tuned to be more of a muscle car than a true pickup, and could even be outfitted with a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission. This example sends power to the pavement via a four-speed automatic transmission.
One of the most interesting attributes of the SSR was a roof that’s power-retractable, automatically sliding in behind the seats to become a convertible.
The SSR was a vehicle in a class by itself. However, sales fell below expectations consistently throughout the model’s run, and the last SSR – coincidentally in the same color scheme as the 2005 featured here – rolled off the assembly line in March 2006.
It’s hard to say how many SSRs are still on the road a decade and a half later, let alone with fewer than 3,000 miles on them. As a future collectible, this SSR could be a nice way to haul cargo and haul butt at the same time.
The asking price for this well-preserved piece of nostalgia is $42,500.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Very nice example of the SSR’s. It’s always a pleasure to read and view your postings.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all at Classic Cars. Let hope 2021 brings more enjoyment to all concerned.
MAY GOD BLESS
In retrospect it’s actually kind of a shame that the SSR didn’t sell any better than it did. At the time I think it was the answer to the question that nobody was asking. In other words there was just no market for it, despite GM’s attempts to create that market. But looking back it’s actually a very interesting vehicle that will probably never exist again. At least not from a major manufacturer like GM. Nobody bought it the first time, the company is not going to try a second time. That’s why I wish more people had bought the 2004-06 Pontiac GTO rather than criticizing it for not being a carbon copy of the original.
I like the SSR’s but those wheels would have to go to something better.
Jeff Dreamcarsellers.com
Huh? I think they are exactly right – and in fact believe original chevy to car except painted to match the lower body.
I’ve seen these trucks cross the Meacum auction block & even with low miles there lucky to get a 20K bid. 42.5 is way too high. These trucks have not caught on with the collectors.
Now it will. I’ve seen these SSR trucks Cross the auction block at Meacum & even with low miles there lucky to get a 20 – 25K bid. 42.5 is way too high.
Dear sirs,
I am very much interested in your 2005 Chevrolet SSR retro hardtop-convertible pickup.
This vehicle would have to be airfreighted to Vietnam, hope that’s possible. Could you please let me know if that is possible and what would be the price?
Looking forward to hear from you.
Kind regards
Matthias Wiesmann
Wow a great choice (as seen in the responses) – a real beauty of a vehicle I always liked for looks (and performance which is not my personal focus) but function/utility/practicality which is still what I find the most important – and oddly least considered by so many – of a vehicle. It does everything for as a light home use truck/fun/special car.
This is a real option to replace (constant usables) we keep – both a light P/U (now a Tacoma) AND sporty type fun convertible (now a VW) AND have something the wife would be able to comfortably drive too. (Losing the function of the access or extended cab a detriment),
A bit pricey as some have noted – (but basically new) and unfortunately far away (from NJ) adding to cost and complexity.
Living in a “retirement” community – with 2 car G and some otherwise available parking it would have to live outside (which would be a shame)….and really only makes me more aware of how much I need a building/barn nearby – for stuff,
Wow a great choice (as seen in the responses) – a real beauty of a vehicle I always liked for looks (and performance which is not my personal focus) but function/utility/practicality which is still what I find the most important – and oddly least considered by so many – of a vehicle. It does everything for as a light home use truck/fun/special car.
This is a real option to replace (constant usables) we keep – both a light P/U (now a Tacoma) AND sporty type fun convertible (now a VW) AND have something the wife would be able to comfortably drive too. (Losing the function of the access or extended cab a detriment),
A bit pricey as some have noted – (but basically new) and unfortunately far away (from NJ) adding to cost and complexity.
Living in a “retirement” community – with 2 car G and some otherwise available parking it would have to live outside (which would be a shame)….and really only makes me more aware of how much I need a building/barn nearby – for stuff,
would love to own it