2005 Chevy SSR

Debuting at the 2000 Detroit Auto Show as a concept vehicle, the SSR very much hails from what we might look back on as a golden era in the late Nineties/early Noughties when retro-styled concepts went from unveiling to full-blown production in very short periods of time.

Think of the Prowler, P/T Cruiser or last generation Thunderbird. The SSR has to be probably one of the stand-out vehicles of this era, with its flared fenders, retro styling and clever use of bow-tie styling of yore.

The SSR (Super Sport Roadster) was built by Chevrolet between 2003 and 2006 and was a relatively low production vehicle, with only 38,272 in total built. They were not cheap either, ranging from the low $40k to pushing $50k depending on options and packages ordered.

While the early version had the 300bhp 5.3 litre Vortex engine, the 2005-2006 models had the more desirable 6 litre LS2 C6 corvette engine, which is good for 395 – 400bhp. The SSR is unique as it has a metal retractable hardtop and, as such, is as far as we’re aware the only convertible pick-up truck ever designed for mass-production by a manufacturer.