2004 Chevrolet SSR

The 2003-06 Chevrolet SSR (for Super Sports Roadster) is a V-8-powered convertible sport pickup with retro styling based on the 1949-55 Advance Design trucks. Just 24,180 were built over four model years, making the SSR a relatively low-production collectible today. This Chevy was an ambitious project that went from a drawing to a concept vehicle to a production truck without drastic changes to its appearance. The SSRs power hard top was one of the trucks most novel features. At the touch of a button, a hatch at the rear of the cab opened to reveal a compartment into which the vehicles two-piece roof retracted. The transformation from closed to open cab took about 25 seconds and didnt change the capacity of the trucks bed. When the SSR made its debut in 2003, it was powered by a 5.3-liter (325-cu.in.) aluminum V-8. With a 9.5:1 compression ratio, it made 300 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 331 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. The only transmission available was GMs Hydra-Matic 4L60-E, a four-speed automatic with overdrive. Underpinning the SSR was a frame lifted from the Trailblazer, with boxed, hydroformed steel rails connected by seven crossmembers. The front suspension consisted of upper and lower control arms with struts and an anti-roll bar. Out back, a solid axle swung from five links with coil springs and tubular shocks smoothing out bumps in the road. A Torsen limited-slip differential was standard issue, as were four-wheel disc brakes. For a proper hot-rod look, the SSR rolled on 20-inch-tall by 10-inch-wide wheels in the back and 19-inch-tall by 8-inch-wide wheels in the front.