View Poll Results: Which one?
SRT
7
4.73%
R/T
5
3.38%
Redline
2
1.35%
SS
34
22.97%
SVT
14
9.46%
Z/28
70
47.30%
GT
1
0.68%
Boss
15
10.14%
Voters: 148. You may not vote on this poll
Which moniker has the better ring...and gives you more goosebumps?
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,043
From: Shelbyville, IN
Re: Which moniker has the better ring...and gives you more goosebumps?
Ditto, I'd take a Cobalt SS over any old "Musclecar". Might give up alittle on the straightline, but take control in the curvies. (And would probably kill most except the top performers in the straightline as well). Wonder how a Chevelle SS 396 owner would feel after getting OWNED by a 2005 Cavalier replacement. (HAHA). That would be like getting beat by a Chevette back then, LOL.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 106
From: Columbus, Ga
Re: Which moniker has the better ring...and gives you more goosebumps?
I vote for Boss, but I am not a Ford Guy by any stretch. It is one name that has been preserved. The Boss 429 gives me goosebumps all over. And when I was about ten , me and my dad restored a Boss 302. The Moniker just has memories for me. 
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
Re: Which moniker has the better ring...and gives you more goosebumps?
Originally Posted by IZ28
The SS name hasn't lost anything, it's exactly what it always was. It's still looks with some added performance in levels on a bunch of different cars, some being performance designed and some not.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,504
From: Ohio
Re: Which moniker has the better ring...and gives you more goosebumps?
Without getting into the SS vs Z28 debate again....
Thankfully Z24, Z26, Z34 etc are gone, because it was having the have effect on the "Z" name.... that you guys are saying SS has....
Thankfully Z24, Z26, Z34 etc are gone, because it was having the have effect on the "Z" name.... that you guys are saying SS has....
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
Re: Which moniker has the better ring...and gives you more goosebumps?
Originally Posted by Darth Xed
Without getting into the SS vs Z28 debate again....
Thankfully Z24, Z26, Z34 etc are gone, because it was having the have effect on the "Z" name.... that you guys are saying SS has....
Thankfully Z24, Z26, Z34 etc are gone, because it was having the have effect on the "Z" name.... that you guys are saying SS has....
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 67
Re: Which moniker has the better ring...and gives you more goosebumps?
I would like to submit a write-in vote for Trans Am!
Given the choices, I'll pick Z/28 -- it has the most history (sorry Boss).
Chrysler is just too darn confusing with SRT, RT, SXT, etc. Using SRT across the Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep (?!) brands makes matters worse. Anybody remember back in the '80s when Chrysler had three totally different cars all called LeBaron?
Finn
Given the choices, I'll pick Z/28 -- it has the most history (sorry Boss).
Chrysler is just too darn confusing with SRT, RT, SXT, etc. Using SRT across the Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep (?!) brands makes matters worse. Anybody remember back in the '80s when Chrysler had three totally different cars all called LeBaron?
Finn
Registered User
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,947
From: Springfield,OH. U.S.A.
Re: Which moniker has the better ring...and gives you more goosebumps?
The SS name hasn't lost anything, it's exactly what it always was. It's still looks with some added performance in levels on a bunch of different cars, some being performance designed and some not. Just something to add appeal. If this is the way SS was used back in the day why can't it be that way now? Because of the 10% or so of all SS cars which were actually fast with top big blocks that wrongly changed the way some people now view the name as a whole?! Come on! Also, you can't compare your Camaro to a new Impala as they were made in different times and have completely different purposes. Some of these new SS cars will be faster than most of the SS's that people think were fast from years ago with FWD and less ci or cylinders than before. (they'll also handle and brake better) Of course, they still won't be as cool.
I understand what you want, you'd like something with great performance for everything with the SS name on it like how it was used on the few LS6 454 and L78 396 cars but it wasn't originally designed for that, it just happened that way because of the competitive market and there had to eventually be more powerful options. If every car in the lineup has great performance than that just makes it more difficult for the Camaro and Corvette since all the other cars would have models with similar power to impress the people that want everything fast, even the cars that don't need it. Besides, for true performance and to differentiate from other Chevy cars they have the Z names for their real top muscle/sports cars. Think of SS as Chevy's GT, because that's the way it was and still is. SS has always been broad and not a certain car specific all-around high performance option like Z28 has been. SS could even be had on V6's back then, like now.
I understand what you want, you'd like something with great performance for everything with the SS name on it like how it was used on the few LS6 454 and L78 396 cars but it wasn't originally designed for that, it just happened that way because of the competitive market and there had to eventually be more powerful options. If every car in the lineup has great performance than that just makes it more difficult for the Camaro and Corvette since all the other cars would have models with similar power to impress the people that want everything fast, even the cars that don't need it. Besides, for true performance and to differentiate from other Chevy cars they have the Z names for their real top muscle/sports cars. Think of SS as Chevy's GT, because that's the way it was and still is. SS has always been broad and not a certain car specific all-around high performance option like Z28 has been. SS could even be had on V6's back then, like now.
I think it should be used similar to the SRT on the DCX Line, if that's NOT what GM wants, that's fine... bring back the Z-cars, I'd rather that to a wimpy "SS". Look at the SRT-4, 14 flat, from a 4 banger!...NOW that's an SS in my book...
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,043
From: Shelbyville, IN
Re: Which moniker has the better ring...and gives you more goosebumps?
Originally Posted by 90rocz
First, I'm not being nostalgic or lost in a time warp...Super Sport cars back then performed way better than the average of the time.
These SS cars were the norm, do you think ppl had extra money in the 60/70s to just go and buy a special edition SS with a big V8? Sure some ppl did, but the norm of those vehicles were smaller engines.
SS is/was just an appearance package - opening the door to higher performance options, but you didnt' have to purchase them.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
Re: Which moniker has the better ring...and gives you more goosebumps?
Originally Posted by Chrome383Z
Ummm, not really. Any car was available with the SS Badge back then. I have a buddy with a NOVA SS that has the original 140hp 230ci Inline 6 with a powerglide. That car will get passed by an Amish man whipping his horses hard...
These SS cars were the norm, do you think ppl had extra money in the 60/70s to just go and buy a special edition SS with a big V8? Sure some ppl did, but the norm of those vehicles were smaller engines.
SS is/was just an appearance package - opening the door to higher performance options, but you didnt' have to purchase them.
These SS cars were the norm, do you think ppl had extra money in the 60/70s to just go and buy a special edition SS with a big V8? Sure some ppl did, but the norm of those vehicles were smaller engines.
SS is/was just an appearance package - opening the door to higher performance options, but you didnt' have to purchase them.
I don't think my old SS350 Camaro, would fit into 90rocz parameters either. Nor would maybe 95% of all SS's ever made.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,947
From: Springfield,OH. U.S.A.
Re: Which moniker has the better ring...and gives you more goosebumps?
SS is/was just an appearance package - opening the door to higher performance options, but you didnt' have to purchase them.
Although they started out as "options", they took on their own model later and Performance Packages were Standard on "SS" models. I'm not young enough NOT to remember, you can probably count LESS 6 cylinder "SS"s (if any)than Convertibiles. If NOT, give us a link, or quote, book, page and author...I seriously doubt you can. I've been into these cars ALL MY LIFE, and have yet to see, that I can remember, ONE non-v8 "SS" Musclecar. There have, however, been many "Poser" cars, that people stuck "SS" badges on.
That's why most "SS" Musclecars you see WILL have v8 engines, MANY with asphalt punishing BBC's.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,647
From: At car shows and cruise nights!
Re: Which moniker has the better ring...and gives you more goosebumps?
Wrong LOL. 
The big block cars are in the serious minority when you look at total production, especially the ones that were actually fast. I'm even gonna go as far as to give you Camaro production numbers, which most likely contained the most high performance big blocks over Chevelle's and Nova's. Camaros never had 4 doors or V6 SS's and was performance focused from the begining. They will start with the lowest HP and go up, watch how the numbers tend to drop for the high performance big blocks and how SBC's make up most SS sales overall. Also, I go to shows and cruises 3-4 times a week and I almost never see any 375HP 396's, it's always 350's or original 350 cars with big blocks. I see more real Z28's over them. (which are still more sought after cars) I think I give up after this guys, at least we tried!
67 SS
L48 350/295HP: 29,270
L35 396/325HP: 4,003
L78 396/375HP: 1,138
68 SS
L48 350/295HP: 12,496
L35 396/325HP: 10,773
L34 396/350HP: 2,579
L78 396/375HP: 4,575
L89 396/375HP: 272
69 SS
L48 350/300HP: 22,339
L35 396/325HP: 6,752
L34 396/350HP: 2,018
L78 396/375HP: 4,889
L89 396/375HP: 310
70 SS
L65: 350/250HP: 34,780
L34: 396/350HP: 1,864
L78: 396/375HP: 600
71 SS
L65: 350/245HP: 34,017
LS3: 396/300HP: 1,533
72 SS
L65 350/165HP: 27,009
LS3 396/240HP: 970
The big block cars are in the serious minority when you look at total production, especially the ones that were actually fast. I'm even gonna go as far as to give you Camaro production numbers, which most likely contained the most high performance big blocks over Chevelle's and Nova's. Camaros never had 4 doors or V6 SS's and was performance focused from the begining. They will start with the lowest HP and go up, watch how the numbers tend to drop for the high performance big blocks and how SBC's make up most SS sales overall. Also, I go to shows and cruises 3-4 times a week and I almost never see any 375HP 396's, it's always 350's or original 350 cars with big blocks. I see more real Z28's over them. (which are still more sought after cars) I think I give up after this guys, at least we tried!67 SS
L48 350/295HP: 29,270
L35 396/325HP: 4,003
L78 396/375HP: 1,138
68 SS
L48 350/295HP: 12,496
L35 396/325HP: 10,773
L34 396/350HP: 2,579
L78 396/375HP: 4,575
L89 396/375HP: 272
69 SS
L48 350/300HP: 22,339
L35 396/325HP: 6,752
L34 396/350HP: 2,018
L78 396/375HP: 4,889
L89 396/375HP: 310
70 SS
L65: 350/250HP: 34,780
L34: 396/350HP: 1,864
L78: 396/375HP: 600
71 SS
L65: 350/245HP: 34,017
LS3: 396/300HP: 1,533
72 SS
L65 350/165HP: 27,009
LS3 396/240HP: 970
Last edited by IZ28; May 27, 2005 at 12:17 AM.
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,043
From: Shelbyville, IN
Re: Which moniker has the better ring...and gives you more goosebumps?
Early Nova SS production were around 50% I6 engines. I could post all the numbers although at this point it is rather moot.
SS is going on vehicles now that are a breed of "Higher performance" then the base model. That's all it will and has ever been. (Actually in my opinion better, because then you could get the base engine with the SS and now I think it automatically upgrades you)...
Unless the 230I6 wasn't the base engine in early Nova's??? Surely they didn't have a 4cyl in those heavy cars!
SS is going on vehicles now that are a breed of "Higher performance" then the base model. That's all it will and has ever been. (Actually in my opinion better, because then you could get the base engine with the SS and now I think it automatically upgrades you)...
Unless the 230I6 wasn't the base engine in early Nova's??? Surely they didn't have a 4cyl in those heavy cars!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
Re: Which moniker has the better ring...and gives you more goosebumps?
Originally Posted by Chrome383Z
SS is going on vehicles now that are a breed of "Higher performance" then the base model. That's all it will and has ever been.
With that said, Chevy could do alittle something more with the Malibu SS, IMO.....and maybe get some nicer wheels for Imp/MC/Malibu SS.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,705
From: Oakland, California
Re: Which moniker has the better ring...and gives you more goosebumps?
Its amazing how the facts get skewd over time. In another 10 years, someone is going to claim that every last one of those late 60's to early 70's Super Sports were big blocks. 