Chevrolet SS History
Chevrolet SS History
Introduction
The SS badge has long been attached to Chevy’s most iconic models to indicate an added boost of performance. Standing for Super Sport, SS has made its way onto the Chevrolet Malibu, Chevelle, Camaro, El Camino, Monte Carlo, and many more. Today, Chevy has even created a standalone vehicle called the SS, and the performance sedan has become a hit.
Early History
America got its first look at the SS badge in 1961 when it was initially offered on the Impala for just $53.80. At the time the package included interior and exterior SS trim, stronger shocks, power brakes, and a few other enhancements. That year, Chevy built 491,000 Impalas, but only 453 brandished the SS badge.
While there were only 453 SS Impalas, the ’57 Corvette Super Sport prototype just might be the rarest of SS model them all. It was given a unique VIN tag, as well as the first-ever fuel-injected Corvette engine. This pioneering hot rod boasted a 283/283 small-block engine paired with a close-ratio three-speed transmission.
SS models would continue to grow in popularity throughout the 60s, 70s, and 80s as performance variants of Chevy sedans, and by the 90s Chevrolet had introduced SS editions of the pickup trucks as well.
Recent History
Today, the SS brand has evolved beyond a performance variant of existing vehicles into its very own model. The Chevy SS is the automaker’s first rear-wheel-drive performance sedan in over 17 years, and it lives up to expectations with output of 415 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, as well as bold, distinct styling.
Chevy SS Fun Facts
- In 2003, Chevrolet unveiled a concept car that was called simply the “SS.” Much like the model today, the SS Concept was a rear-wheel drive sports car powered by a 400-plus horsepower V8, but Chevy never intended for the vehicle to reach production. The Detroit automaker simply called the SS Concept “a modern interpretation of Chevrolet’s Super Sport heritage,” but as we know today, it was actually the precursor to the brand-new Chevy SS.
- The groundbreaking 1957 Corvette Super Sport prototype debuted in January 1957, at the New York Waldorf Astoria Auto Show. In of June 1957, it was featured on the cover of Speed Age magazine. After that, it fell out of the limelight and wasn’t seen again until its owner, John Baldwin, featured it at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in 2017.
Source: Car Guy Chronicles