2004 Chevrolet SSR

2004 Chevrolet SSR  The Chevrolet SSR, (Super Sport Roadster), was produced in model years 2004-2006.  Introduced as a retractable hardtop convertible pickup truck and initially produced with a 5.3 liter 300hp Vortec 5300 V8.  It's considered a retro styled vehicle with cues from the Advanced Design period of Chevrolet trucks when big, bold grilles and rounded fenders were highlights of trucks such as the 3100 of the late 40's and early 1950's.  For consignment, a 2004 Chevrolet SSR with a title verified 304 actual miles.  If this is not the lowest mileage SSR in the country, we'd be surprised.   Our consignor bought it new, tucked it away in a climate controlled garage, ran it occasionally each year and had it serviced in August 2024 at a Chevy dealership.  Ladies and gentlemen, a rare opportunity is at hand, and it's spelled S-S-R.  If you wanted one new, this is as close as you're likely to get 20 years later.  Exterior This truck is Ricochet Silver, one of 1,388 in 2004 in that color and one of just 24,180 total SSR's produced.  Needless to say, the paint is showroom fresh on the truck and through shadows, highlights the unique body lines that define SSR's.  Rear fenders flare and steadily rise to accept the round, flush tail lights while the front fender drip precipitously straight down in line with the door edge.  Above, the rounded retractable top creates a streamlined bubble roof fronted by a steeply raked windshield.  The bed is covered and smooth and follows a full width, solid rear window.  Twin exhaust tips boldly exit under the sculpted rear valance as the tailgate fits vertically and flush to the back, housing the third brake light.  The color of the car matches that of the wheels, 19 in front and 20-inch in back with staggered size tires that gives this ride a muscular stance under those wide hips.  With the top down, roll bars behind each seat are visible.  If there's one imperfection, it's that the tires, 255/45R19 on front, 295/40R20 in back, are original to the car and dated 2004.   Interior The circular theme continues inside beginning with the door panels with door actuators inside circle trim and round speakers embedded in the molded plastic.  Even the safety light is a circle.  Ebony leather seats are sporty and supportive and at 30 miles per hour, have only hosted an occupant for 10 hours.  As such, they are minty mint and both occupants enjoy various electric controls including heat with switches below.  A fat leather wrapped steering wheel presents to the driver and offers thumb controls on the silver crossmember.  In front, three cylindrical gauge housings include all of the basic information, the speedometer front and center and reaching 140 mph.  The uncomplicated dash center has an AM/FM/CD unit and climate controls as big knobs below it.  An auxiliary gauge package is tucked under the dash on the center console, a part that sells for $1,000 today.  The silver shifter is at your fingertips and based on a silver plastic base with more electric toggles as a padded armrest gives you a place to set your right elbow.  Low pile black carpet is the floor covering here, and in great condition, as you would expect.  Ribbons of wood alternate with wider bands of rug covered lengths in the bed and are flanked by two, locking storage containers and lit by a light on the hard tonneau cover.   Drivetrain Looking factory fresh is the 5.3 liter V8 under the rounded hood, fuel injected and rated at 300 horsepower.  GM's 4L60E sets the SSR in motion and is a 4-speed automatic sending power to the 10 bolt rear axle and 3.73 gears with Positraction.  Power disc brakes are found on all four corners.  Undercarriage Well, hop on the time machine because we're headed to the dealership in 2004.  It's basically pristine underneath and only the U-joint flanges show anything but as they've turned orange with surface rust.  Frankly, that probably occurred within the f