From an example with Americana written all over it to reporting on what is perhaps the worst possible Chevy SSR in existence, we’ve had quite a few Chevy SSR stories here on Jalopnik. For the uninitiated, it’s a weird and, dare we say, goofy-looking truck from the mid-2000s that was a throwback to the 1947 to 1955 Advance Design pickups, albeit with a convertible hardtop. While the quirky little proposition may not be to everyone’s taste, it does have its fans. If you’re one of them, then this CarGurus listing might pique your interest.
What we have is a 2005 SSR finished in Redline Red with just under 4,350 miles on the odometer. Although this two-owner, clean-title, accident-free example seems tempting, its near-$56,000 asking price might give you pause. Just a couple of months ago, we shared an SSR listing under $40,000. In comparison, this one’s a bit pricey. Worth noting, however, is that the sub-$40,000 example has done close to 20,000 miles. With that being said, this truck has a factory LS2 mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The 6.0-liter V8 in question belts out 390 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque, and belongs to the same engine family that powered the C6 Corvette. This thing practically embodies the American spirit.
According to Bill DeLuca Family of Dealerships, the Massachusetts-based dealer where the SSR currently sits, the previous owner bought the truck in 2021 and sold it after driving it just 200 miles. In addition to the owner’s manual and a clean CarFax report, you also have access to the complete history of the truck since it was first purchased, should you have any doubts.
Highlights of this Redline Red 2005 Chevy SSR
This particular SSR features the 1SB Preferred Equipment Package, Sport Suspension Package, and Driver Convenience Package, as well as cruise control and remote keyless entry. Other notable highlights of the listing include an all-black interior with a color-matched center console and Bose premium audio. Matching the exterior finish, the tonneau cover is painted Redline Red, while the cargo bed itself is accented with wood strips, lending it a slightly upmarket vibe. Adding a bit of flair are the shiny five-spoke alloy wheels and the chevron bar at the front, which boasts a satin finish.
According to MotorTrend, the mid-model 2005 SSR came with notable chassis upgrades versus prior model years. Not only did the truck feel more composed, but the ride quality also improved dramatically, with the publication noting it felt less punishing than before. GM also reworked the retractable hardtop seals and gave the steering gear new bearings, in addition to a few quality-of-life improvements.
Roughly 24,000 SSRs were built during its entire production run. The years 2004 and 2005 saw the most SSRs roll off the factory floor, with more than 17,000 units combined. It’s worth noting that if you’re seriously considering buying the Chevy SSR, dealership support is pretty much nonexistent. As Mike Moro of Simple Engineering explained for Hemmings, “You can’t go to GM dealers anymore for help, because practically all of the people who were trained to work on these have retired or moved on — so there’s poor dealer support.”
