Friday, February 19, 2010

2004 Chevy SSR Bob V.

What kind of vehicle is it that makes you look around when you’re stopped at a traffic light and hear the exhaust growl of something with an attitude....and all you see is something that looks like an old friend, a ‘47-‘53 Chevy PU, but this one is a little edgy and swoopy modern? Hmmmmm? Must be a Chevy SSR.

The SSR (Super Sports Roadster) made its TV debut on New Year’s Eve 2003 and was chosen as the Indy 500 Pace Car for 2003. It is a very unique vehicle designed by Andre Hudson to be built on the Chevy Trailblazer platform. Among the many unique features of the vehicle is the retractable hardtop, shades of late ‘50’s Ford retractables. In 2005 it got more horsepower with a Gen IV LS2 and a Tremec 6spd that allowed it to turn 14 second ¼ mile times. The vehicle kept evolving till the production ended March 17, 2006 with the final SSR being a unique black-on-silver model making the total production run of 24,150 vehicles. GM has a history of making short runs of really neat performance cars; Pontiac Fiero ’84-’88, Pontiac’s new GTO ’04-’06, Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky ’05-’09 and the Chevy SSR ’03-’06.










Bob’s SSR is a 2004 year model in Slingshot Yellow that he had ghost flames airbrushed by Performance Auto Crafters in Locust Grove, VA. He has changed the exhaust to a 5” Stainless Magna Flow cat back system to complement the K & N cold air intake system. Bob has also installed a Jet high performance computer tuning unit that he says gives him a bit over 500 hp at 7700 rpm and the trans now shifts like a performance car should. One of the ways he keeps the SSR in top shape is by running Royal Purple products exclusively in his ride.


Bob bought his SSR almost 6 years ago at Reymore Chevrolet in Central Square, NY. He didn’t have to be sold on the SSR when his brother, the Finance Manger at the dealership, told him about the SSR they had. He fell in love at first sight with the unique vehicle and wrote a check for 48K on the spot! Since it is a daily driver (when no salt is on the road) he now has nearly 70K miles on it driving around and giving people something to wave at. Bob is not shy about driving the SSR over the road either, having been to Florida, Maine and points in between. Bob attends local cruises and shows around Stafford, VA and likes to talk with people about his unique ride....I haven’t been able to talk him into hauling some gravel for me in his truck yet....but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind! grin

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