2004 Chevrolet SSR

The SSR's innovative interior blends the retro truck theme with the comfort and convenience of a modern, high-performance 2-seat roadster.

21 months later, there was an Ultra Violet (purple-blue, like the concept) SSR pacing the May 25 Indianapolis 500. The pace car is virtually identical to 25 unique "Signature Series" units built in late 2002 and early '03 before the mid-summer start of regular production. With the first two signed by Wagoner, GM North America chairman Bob Lutz and president Gary Cowger, and soon-to-retire Design VP Cherry, each Signature Series SSR will accumulate a one-of-a-kind "pedigree" before being offered for sale through public or GM dealer auctions.


Because the standard Trailblazer's wheelbase was too short for the SSR's proportions, and its frame was designed around GM's 4.2-liter in-line six, the production SSR sits on a long-wheelbase, V-8-capable Trailblazer EXT hydroformed steel frame with four inches sawed off its front and 13 inches whacked from its middle. All major exterior panels are of one-piece stamped steel, including the fenders, which presented a challenge with their very deep draws.


Under the hood is a new aluminum-block version of GM's Vortec 5300 (5.3-liter) small-block V-8 providing 300 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 331 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm driving the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. The concept's fat tires on shiny 5-spoke wheels (19-inch front, 20-inch rear) are retained on the production version.


The SSR's innovative interior blends the retro truck theme with the comfort and convenience of a modern, high-performance two-seat roadster—think "Corvette meets '50s pickup." It's a Chevrolet twin-cockpit design with painted-metal-look body-color composite on the dashtop, door sills, tonneau and console, reflecting Chevy's post WWII light-truck heritage.

Underhood is a new aluminum-block version of GM's Vortec 5300 (5.3-liter) small-block V-8.

The full-width Chevy icon grille's slightly bowed "chevron" chrome bar is echoed inside with satin chrome strips across the instrument panel, steering wheel and door pulls. Large, plush leather bucket seats sport headrests that simulate roll bars. A center console and floor shifter replace the concept's (nostalgic but impractical) bench seat and column shift.