Super Sport

1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS with distinctive "SS" badge on the grille in place of the "bowtie"

Super Sport, or SS, is the signature performance option package offered by Chevrolet on a limited number of its vehicles. All SS models come with distinctive "SS" markings on their exterior. The package was first made available for the 1961 Impala.[1] Some of the other models bearing the SS badge include the Camaro, Chevelle, El Camino, Monte Carlo, and Nova. Current SS models are produced by the GM Performance Division.

General Motors Company's Australian subsidiary Holden also offers a SS package on some of its vehicles. The Commodore SS is a sedan while the Ute SS is a two-door coupe utility.[2][3]

History

In 1961, the SS "kit" was offered on any Impala for just $53.80. The package included Super Sport trim for both the interior and exterior, chassis reinforcements, stronger springs and shocks, power brakes, spinner wheel covers, and narrow-band whitewall tires. The car's dashboard received a Corvette style passenger hand bar and a steering column mounted 7000-rpm tachometer. Chevrolet built 491,000 Impalas that year and 453 had the SS package, of which 311 received the 348 cid and 142 received the 409 cid.[4] Since 1994, the SS package has been used on a variety of GM vehicles, including pickup trucks, four-door sedans, and front wheel drive cars.

Both historically and today, the Super Sport package has typically included high-performance tires, heavy-duty suspension, and increased power, along with a variety of other performance and appearance upgrades.

SS models

Current SS models

Previous SS models

Cars

1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396

Trucks

South African market

For a short period of time in the early 1970s, a Holden Monaro–based "Chevrolet SS" model, similar in design, size and drivetrain to a Nova SS, was available in South Africa. Unlike the Nova, it was built as a hardtop, without fixed #2 or B-pillars or frames around the door glass.

Brazilian market

Classics:

New Era:

Concept car

Chevrolet SS concept (front) at the 2004 Los Angeles Auto Show

In 2003, Chevrolet released a concept car they named the SS. A rear wheel drive sports car with a modern 430 hp small-block V8 engine and race-tuned suspension, it was billed as "a modern interpretation of Chevrolet's Super Sport heritage". Though never intended for production, the vehicle was used as a show car and to hint at what was ahead for Chevrolet sports car design.

Collectors market

It is usually easy to visually differentiate an SS from a "plain-Jane" model. However, it is more difficult to tell the difference between a genuine SS and a "clone", a non-SS vehicle that has been altered to look like an SS. Because of the number of SS clones in the marketplace, potential buyers are advised to do their research and contact their local car clubs for help to ensure that the vehicle is a true SS by running the VIN codes and casting numbers on the engine. Other non-SS vehicles altered to appear like them only use trim panels rather than aftermarket mechanical parts.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/chevrolet-impala/chevrolet-impala-history-1.shtml
  2. ↑ http://www.holden.com.au/vehicles/Commodore/SS
  3. ↑ http://www.holden.com.au/vehicles/Ute/SS
  4. ↑ http://musclecars.howstuffworks.com/classic-muscle-cars/1961-chevrolet-impala-ss-409.htm

External links