A perfectly balanced chassis without an engine is just a perfectly balanced chassis. Drop in Chevy's legendary, all aluminum, Vortec 5300 V8 making 300 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque and the stationary SSR shoots from 0 to 97 km/h (60 mph) in just 7.6 seconds. By today's standards that's darn good for a pickup, but by 1953 standards it's unimaginable. Unfortunately that motivation can only be achieved with a four-speed automatic transmission at present, not quite up to snuff with competitive 5-speed gearboxes. But then again, four forward speeds is a far cry from a 3-on-the-tree or 2-speed Hydramatic.
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| The SSR is powered by Chevy's legendary, all aluminum, Vortec 5300 V8 which produces 300 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: General Motors) |
Power and performance is of little value if it can't be safely harnessed and transmitted to the roadway. Enter four-wheel disc brakes with four-wheel ABS and Dynamic Rear Proportioning, along with Goodyear Eagle RS-A (Rally Sport-Asymmetric) all-season performance tires: P255/45R19 for the front and skookum P295/40R20s for the rear. Aiding the big 20-inchers on wet or slippery pavement is a Traction Assist System, which arrives as standard equipment on the SSR.
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| Cruising around in a flashy convertible truck, you can't help but feel young at heart. (Photo: General Motors) |
Occupant
safety is enhanced with dual-stage frontal and side-impact airbags as standard equipment for both driver and passenger. A passenger airbag suppression switch is located in the glove box in the event a youngster is riding shotgun. And riding shotgun in a roof down SSR may well become every kid and young at heart adult's dream, regardless of age.
