Super Sport (Chevrolet)

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For other uses, see Super sport (disambiguation).
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 SS 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, Impala, Monte Carlo, Nova and Chevrolet Pickup Truck. Current SS models are produced by the GM Performance Division.

General Motors Company's Australian subsidiary Holden offers SS models in its range of Holden Commodore sedans and sportwagons,[2] and also in the Holden Ute range of two-door coupé utilities.[3]

History[]

In December 1956, Chevrolet unveiled a show car based on the first generation (C1) Corvette called the Corvette Super Sport. In early 1957, the Chevrolet Corvette SS debuted — a custom built racing sports car that was the first Chevrolet to wear the SS badge.

In 1961, the SS "kit" (known as a sport and appearance package) 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.

  • Chevelle logo

  • Chevelle SS 396

  • SS 396 logo

SS models[]

Current SS models[]

Previous SS models[]

Cars[]

1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396

Trucks[]

  • Chevrolet 454 SS 1990–1993
  • Chevrolet S10 SS 1994–1998
  • Chevrolet SSR: 6.0 L (370 cu in) LS2 V8
  • Chevrolet Silverado SS
  • Chevrolet Silverado Intimidator SS
  • Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS: 6.0 L (370 cu in) LS2 V8 2006–2009

Middle Eastern market[]

  • Chevrolet Caprice: rebadge of Impala SS (performance version of 4th generation Chevrolet Caprice sedan), 5.7 L (350 cu in) LT1 V8 producing 260 hp (264 PS; 194 kW) 1995–1996
  • Chevrolet Caprice: rebadge of Holden Caprice, 5.7 L (350 cu in) LS1 V8 producing 350 hp (355 PS; 261 kW) 1999–2006, 6.0 L (370 cu in) L98 V8 producing 360 hp (365 PS; 268 kW) 2006–2009, 6.0 L (370 cu in) L77 V8 producing 350 hp (355 PS; 261 kW) 2009–2015, 6.2 L (380 cu in) LS3 V8 producing 410 hp (416 PS; 306 kW) 2015–2017
  • Chevrolet Lumina coupé: rebadge of third generation Holden Monaro CV8, 5.7 L (350 cu in) LS1 V8 producing 350 hp (355 PS; 261 kW) 2002–2006
  • Chevrolet Lumina sedan: rebadge of Holden Commodore SS sedan 2000–2011

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 contemporary Nova, it was built as a hardtop, without fixed #2 or B-pillars or frames around the door glass.

Similar to Middle Eastern market, Holden Commodore-based Chevrolet Lumina SS was also offered in South Africa as sedan and also as ute until 2012.

Brazilian market[]

Classics:

  • Chevrolet Opala: 4.1 L (250 cu in) 250 I6 producing 150 hp (152 PS; 112 kW) 1971–1974
  • Chevrolet Opala: 4.1 L (250 cu in) 250-S I6 producing 171 hp (173 PS; 128 kW) 1974–1980
  • Chevrolet Opala 2.5 L (150 cu in) 151-S I4 producing 98 hp (99 PS; 73 kW) 1974–1980

New Era:

  • Chevrolet Astra 2.0 L (120 cu in) Family II I4 producing 130 hp (132 PS; 97 kW) 2006
  • Chevrolet Corsa 1.8 L (110 cu in) Family 1 SOHC 8-valve I4 producing 115 hp (117 PS; 86 kW) 2006
  • Chevrolet Meriva 1.8 L (110 cu in) Family 1 SOHC 8-valve I4 producing 115 hp (117 PS; 86 kW) 2006

Indonesian market[]

  • Chevrolet Captiva 2.4 L (150 cu in) Ecotec LE5 I4 producing 171 hp (173 PS; 128 kW) 2011

Concept car[]

Main article: Chevrolet SS (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 (this also includes the vehicle's build sheet especially if the SS package was a factory option). Other non-SS vehicles altered to appear like them only use trim panels rather than aftermarket mechanical parts.

References[]

  1. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-10-23. Retrieved 2014-05-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ Commodore, www.holden.com.au Retrieved 10 January 2017
  3. ^ Ute, www.holden.com.au Retrieved 10 January 2017
  4. ^ http://musclecars.howstuffworks.com/classic-muscle-cars/1961-chevrolet-impala-ss-409.htm

External links[]

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