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Super Sport (Chevrolet)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Chevrolet SS396)
For other uses, see Super sport (disambiguation).
Super Sport
SS 396 logo on a Chevrolet Chevelle
Product typePerformance cars
OwnerGeneral Motors
Produced byGeneral Motors
CountryUnited States
Introduced1956; 68 years ago (1956)
MarketsAmericas, Australia

Super Sport, or SS, is the signature performance option package offered by the Chevrolet division of General Motors 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 Trucks. Current SS models are produced by the GM Performance Division.

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

History

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The first Chevrolet to carry the "SS" badge was based on the Corvette C1 of 1956 (pictured)

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.

SS models

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Current SS models

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Previous SS models

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Cars

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1969 Chevrolet El Camino SS
1971 Chevrolet Camaro SS
2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
2014 Holden Commodore SS

Trucks

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2003 Chevrolet Silverado SS
2004 Chevrolet SSR

Middle Eastern market

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South African market

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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

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1978 Chevrolet Opala SS

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:

Australia (Holden)

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Holden SS models
1972 HQ
1976 Torana
1986 Commodore VL
1994 Commodore VR
2001 Commodore VX II
2002 Commodore VY

Classics:

Modern Era:

  • Holden VX Commodore SS: 5.7L (350 cu in) GM Gen III LS1 V8
  • Holden VU Ute SS: 5.7L (350 cu in) GM Gen III LS1 V8
  • Holden VY Commodore SS: 5.7L (350 cu in) GM Gen III LS1 V8
  • Holden VY Ute SS: 5.7L (350 cu in) GM Gen III LS1 V8
  • Holden VY Series II Commodore SS: 5.7L (350 cu in) GM Gen III LS1 V8
  • Holden VY Series II Ute SS: 5.7L (350 cu in) GM Gen III LS1 V8
  • Holden VZ Commodore SS: 5.7L (350 cu in) GM Gen III LS1 V8
  • Holden VZ Ute SS: 5.7L (350 cu in) GM Gen III LS1 V8
  • Limited Run VZ SSZ Runout Models both Sedan and Ute
  • Holden VE Commodore SS: 6.0L (364 cu in) GM Gen III L98 V8 2007-2010
  • Holden VE Ute SS: 6.0L (364 cu in) GM Gen IV L98 V8 2008-2010
  • Holden VE Sportwagon SS: 6.0L (364 cu in) GM Gen IV L98 V8 2009-2010
  • Holden VE Series II Commodore SS: 6.0L (364 cu in) GM Gen III L77 V8 2010-2013
  • Holden VE Series II Ute SS: 6.0L (364 cu in) GM Gen III L77 V8 2010-2013
  • Holden VE Series II Sportwagon SS: 6.0L (364 cu in) GM Gen IV L77 V8 2010-2013
  • All Models Available in Race-Specced 'SS V' Variant
  • Holden VF Commodore SS: 6.0L (364 cu in) GM Gen IV L77 V8 2013-2015
  • Holden VF Ute SS: 6.0L (364 cu in) GM Gen IV L77 V8 2013-2015
  • Holden VF Sportwagon SS: 6.0L (364 cu in) GM Gen IV L77 V8 2013-2015
  • Holden VF Series II Commodore SS: 6.2L (376 cu in) GM Gen IV LS3 V8 2015-2017
  • Holden VF Series II Ute SS: 6.2L (376 cu in) GM Gen IV LS3 V8 2015-2017
  • Holden VF Series II Sportwagon SS: 6.2L (376 cu in) GM Gen IV LS3 V8 2015-2017
  • Series I Models Available in Race-Specced 'SS V' Variant
  • Series II Models Available in Race-Specced 'SS V Redline' Variant

Indonesian market

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Concept car

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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

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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

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  1. ^ "Musclecarclub.com - Muscle Cars - Chevrolet Impala SS - History - 1958-1969". Archived from the original on 2013-10-23. Retrieved 2014-05-08.
  2. ^ Commodore, www.holden.com.au Retrieved 10 January 2017
  3. ^ Ute, www.holden.com.au Retrieved 10 January 2017
  4. ^ "1961 Chevrolet Impala SS 409". 5 January 2007.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chevrolet SS models.
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