Chevy chases nostalgia market

By ALASTAIR SLOANE Motoring editor

Is it a custom roadster? An open-air sports car? A hot-rod pick-up? How about a mix of 1940s pick-up with a late-50s convertible?

Or is it a 21st-century blend of General Motors' two-door El Camino of the 1970s and the latest Holden and Ford utes?

Whatever, Chevrolet's limited-edition SSR is stirring emotions in America, where it is about to go into production.

The first 25 SSR models will be badged Signature Series, a GM moniker that separates vehicles with unique features from mainstream models.

In the case of the SSR, the first 25 will have special ultraviolet paint and interior styling and will be used as promotional vehicles before being sold off. GM will keep the first production model SSR for its museum.

One of the features of the SSR is the retractable hardtop, the first on a pick-up style vehicle. A button on the console transforms the SSR from an enclosed roadster to a convertible in less than 30 seconds, tucking the linked roof panels rearward between the passenger compartment and cargo area.

"As far as we know, this is the only retractable hardtop system with roof panels that operate without a centre hinge, held together only by the linkage as they move," said Gary Forgue, the roof system's chief engineer.

The SSR will be powered by a new, all-alloy version of the Vortec 5.3-litre, 16-valve V8 engine driving the rear wheels through a four-speed electronic automatic gearbox with overdrive. The current Vortec V8, used in GM trucks, has an aluminium cylinder head and cast iron block.

The new engine's power and torque is not yet available, but the existing iron-block V8 puts out 212kW (285bhp) at 5200rpm and 440Nm of torque at 4000rpm.

The Chevy SSR first appeared as a concept at the Detroit motor show two years ago. It was an instant hit, described as "contemporary and innovative, yet quintessentially American and uniquely nostalgic".

There was little debate on its design. It was a celebration of Chevrolet heritage, expressed in a roadster with pick-up truck-style versatility.

Americans had one question for GM: would the production model SSR be true to the concept?

Says Bill Davis, Chevrolet design chief: "From the start, the design team has had a singular focus to be true to the concept. The production-intent show vehicle is the visual essence of the vehicle that will go into production."

The front grille, one of the signature features of the concept, continues virtually unaltered in the production model. But the windshield was pulled forward, and changes were made to the A-pillar and roof surfaces to enhance the forward leaning look.

The tyre-to-body relationship was untouched from the concept, with 19- and 20-inch five-spoke Speedline wheels in the front and rear, but the wheelbase is marginally longer and wider.

The fenders are identical to the concept, except for the addition of side indicator lights for safety.

The fenders date back to the SSR's inspiration, the Chevy pick-ups of the late 1940s and early 1950s.

"One of the great benefits of concept vehicles is that we see other dimensions to it that might not be evident on a computer screen or in the studio," says Davis. "For the production design we had the opportunity to approach SSR as one solid shape rather than a separate cab and box. The tonneau, deck lid and body sides are more of a complete unit in the production-intent vehicle."

Another change was to the seating. The concept had a bench seat, the production model has two bucket seats, with storage space in the centre console.

"The interior is uncluttered, inviting and sophisticated," says Davis.

SSR traces its lineage to the vision of Wayne Cherry, vice-president of GM design division. The original idea was to explore how a heritage design theme might manifest itself in a truck as opposed to cars, where heritage designs abound. A team of designers went to work on the idea in 1999.

Four options emerged. Three were inspired by Chevy pick-ups of the 30s, late 40s, early 50s and late 50s. A fourth was a futuristic design with more subtle heritage cues and an open-air cab. Two options were selected to go to full-size physical models. They were the late-40s/early-50s-inspired pick-up and the futuristic design, dubbed "Nostalgia 2000".