Super Sport

For other uses, see Super sport (disambiguation).

1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS with distinctive "SS" badge on the grille in place of the "bowtie"

Chevlle logo

Super Sport, or SS, is the signature performance option package offered by Chevrolet, a United States Auto Maker, on a limited number of its vehicles. All SS models come with distinctive "SS" markings on their exterior. The 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, Monte Carlo, and Nova. Current SS models are produced by the GM Performance Division.

General Motors Company's Australian subsidiary Holden also offered a SS package on some of its vehicles. The Commodore SS is a sedan while the Ute SS is a two-door coupe utility.^[2][3]

History

Chevelle SS 396

SS 396 logo

In 1961, the SS "kit" 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]

Until the Impala SS was brought back in 1994, the Super Sport package was only available on two-door passenger cars. Since then, however, 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.

SS models

Current SS models

• Chevrolet HHR - 2.0 L (120 cu in) turbocharged Ecotec LNF I4 producing 260 hp (194 kW)
• Chevrolet Camaro - 6.2 L (380 cu in) LS3 V8 producing 426 hp (318 kW)
• Chevrolet Caprice — 6.0 L (370 cu in) L98 V8 producing 360 hp (268 kW) (Middle East market)
• Chevrolet Lumina — 6.0 L (370 cu in) L98 V8 producing 360 hp (268 kW) (Middle East market)
• Chevrolet Astra South America market
• Chevrolet Corsa South America market - Brazil
• Chevrolet Meriva South America market - Brazil

Previous SS models

Cars

1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396

• Chevrolet Cobalt — 2.0 L (120 cu in) turbocharged Ecotec LNF I4 producing 260 hp (194 kW) 2008 - 2010 (4 door, 2009 only)
• Chevrolet Cobalt — 2.0 L (120 cu in) supercharged Ecotec LSJ I4 producing 205 hp (153 kW) 2005-2007
• Chevrolet Cobalt — 2.4 L (150 cu in) Ecotec LE5 I4 producing 171 hp (128 kW)
• Chevrolet Impala 1961-1969, 1994–1996, 2004–2009
• Chevrolet Malibu/Malibu Maxx 2006-2007
• Chevrolet Chevelle 1964-1973
• Chevrolet Camaro 1967-1971, 1996-2002, 2010-
• Chevrolet El Camino 1968-1987
• Chevrolet Nova 1963-1976 (Also known as Chevy II)
• Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1970-1971, 1983–1988, 2000–2007
• Chevrolet Opala 4.1 L (250 cu in) 250-S I6 producing 171 hp (128 kW) 1971-1980 - Brazil
• Chevrolet Opala 2.5 L (150 cu in) 151-S I4 producing 98 hp (73 kW) 1971-1980 - Brazil
• Acadian Canadian market Nova (not branded as a Chevrolet or Pontiac; similar to Beaumont line)

Trucks

• Chevrolet 454 SS 1990-1993
• Chevrolet S10 Cameo 1989-1991
• Chevrolet S10 SS 1994-1998
• Chevrolet S10 Xtreme Force
• Chevrolet S10 Hugger
• Chevrolet S10 Xtreme 1994-2003
• Chevrolet Colorado Xtreme 2004–Present
• Chevrolet SSR — 6.0 L (370 cu in) LS2 V8
• Chevrolet Silverado SS
• Chevrolet Silverado Intimidator SS
• Chevrolet TrailBlazer — 6.0 L (370 cu in) LS2 V8 2006-2009

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

Concept car

Main article: Chevrolet SS

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.

References

1. ^ http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/chevrolet-impala/chevrolet-impala-history-1.shtml
2. ^ http://www.holden.com.au/vehicles/Commodore/SS
3. ^ http://www.holden.com.au/vehicles/Ute/SS
4. ^ http://musclecars.howstuffworks.com/classic-muscle-cars/1961-chevrolet-impala-ss-409.htm

External links

• RSportsCars: Chevrolet SS Concept Car
• Super Sport Camaros