I got a chance to read GM's press kit on the history of SS and where they may be taking it in the future.

It was laced with afew inaccuracies (ie Camaro switched to the F-body in 1970 joining the Firebird....or words to that affect)....but it was an intersting read none the less.

We know about the SS(r), Impala SS and Silverado SS......

What other Chevies do you guys think should be in line to get the "SS treatment".

 

Well......come on. What direction will the SS be going??

 

Got me???

 

Darn. Guess they need to rewrite that press kit!

 

I can tell you how Chevy defines "SS"


......"most enhancements have been to provide "go", more than"show", though there were also the expected exterior and interior upgrades. The shared characteristics of SS models over the years have included:

-Performance

-Suspension

-Tires

-Wheels

-Stripes/Ground Effects

-Engine ID

-Insrumentation

-Interior Trim

-Black-out trim

-Engine-turned metal

-Spoilers"


I would imagine that this is the template for all future SS's.



Any thoughts?............

 

As long as they keep it off of the Camaro and Corvette it OK with me.

Z28.

 

Here is more. These are the only passages that reference the future.

" The 2003 Silverado SS will officially begin the SS revival. Additional cars and trucks bearing the SS name will follow, as Chevrolet moves to reclaim it's rightful place in the automotive performance pantheon.

 

Sorry, one more....this is a quote from Kurt Ritter (GM of Chevy),


"Although SS models had virtually disappeared, enthusiasts have not. The auto market is awash in emmotionless commodity cars. In SS, we have the perfect name with which to re-ignite the flames of passion and performance in the marketplace for Chevrolet. We intend to do just that."

 

The Corvette won't get the SS designation.

The Camaro that's another story.

Camaro SS

 

Personally, I think this is good news, (not with standing the CamaroSS vs Z/28 debate ).

This would be an easily recognisable and definable performance badge for many Chevy cars and trucks.

I think, if properly executed...this would be great for Chevy.

 

So, either the practice of putting SS badges on anything with 4 wheels and a Chevy name is over, or they convienently forget that the current Monte Carlo SS has no performance advantage over the base model. I'm going with the former.

Either way, I still have confidence in Chevy's boss, Kurt Ritter. He's really pushing for Camaro, and he's also the one who said he'd like to have a RWD sedan "sooner rather than later" (at the New York auto show I believe), becoming the first person in GM to hint one is comming. I truly think he has a grip on what Chevy needs.

I noticed engine ID is also mentioned in what their view of what SS stands for. Does that mean special engines in the future? Impala & Monte Carlo SS will have turbo V6s, but doesn't the Silverado SS have an engine available to other Chey trucks? Does that mean the next Camaro SS will have Z06's engine?

Overall, seems the future of the SS name will be more promising than the past 30 have been, but as far as engine turned metal in the interior, I'd like to see that return to the next TransAm !

Interesting stuff Z!

 

I think it is ment to mean that all new SS will be something the be excited about and something to be excited about. Anyone ever hear of a GM white paper called The Esscence(sp?) of SS?

Pretty much the idea orginally was that the SS name came from Corvette inspiration. Though it was never used on the Vette, the SS moniker was to mean that there was a Corevtte inspiration in the model. It's hard to understand...maybe RP could explain better. Pretty much teh SS name is meant to be GM's way of putting a little Corvette in it's regular cars...which is why there is no Corvette SS. It would make no sense to have a Corvette with a little Corvette in it.

 

I dunno. There are an awlful lot of 6 cylinder Nova and 307 Chevelle SSs out there.

 

Actually, the Monte SS comes with the 200 horse 3.8 while the base comes with the 170(?) horse 3.4

 

Not necessarilly, I quote what GM means by engine ID:

" Nearly every SS ever built displayed the CID on the fenders, grille, or hood. In the case of the 454SS Pickups, it was displayed as part of a large decal on the rear quarter panels."

I take that to mean that on a Monte Carlo SS for example...the fender call-outs would say:

SS 231 or

SS 3800

Insert crossed flags in there somewhere.