Super Sport, or SS, is the signature performance option package offered by

Chevrolet Chevrolet ( ), colloquially referred to as Chevy and formally the Chevrolet Motor Division of General Motors Company, is an American automobile division of the American manufacturer General Motors (GM). Louis Chevrolet (1878–1941) and ou ...

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 The impala or rooibok (''Aepyceros melampus'') is a medium-sized antelope found in eastern and southern Africa. The only extant member of the genus ''Aepyceros'' and tribe Aepycerotini, it was first described to European audiences by Ger ...

. Some of the other models bearing the SS badge include the

Camaro The Chevrolet Camaro is a mid-size American automobile manufactured by Chevrolet, classified as a pony car. It first went on sale on September 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year and was designed to compete with the Ford Mustang. The Camaro share ...

, Chevelle, El Camino,

Monte Carlo Monte Carlo (; ; french: Monte-Carlo , or colloquially ''Monte-Carl'' ; lij, Munte Carlu ; ) is officially an administrative area of the Principality of Monaco, specifically the ward of Monte Carlo/Spélugues, where the Monte Carlo Casino is ...

Nova A nova (plural novae or novas) is a transient astronomical event that causes the sudden appearance of a bright, apparently "new" star (hence the name "nova", which is Latin for "new") that slowly fades over weeks or months. Causes of the dramat ...

and Chevrolet Pickup Truck. Current SS models are produced by the

GM Performance Division Chevrolet Performance is an automotive performance parts brand that sells everything from camshafts and cylinder heads to high-performance crate engines and upgrades for late-model vehicles. It was founded in 1967 to support the Trans-Am Camaro r ...

General Motors Company The General Motors Company (GM) is an American multinational automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, United States. It is the largest automaker in the United States and was the largest in the world for 77 years bef ...

's Australian subsidiary

Holden Holden, formerly known as General Motors-Holden, was an Australian subsidiary company of General Motors. It was an Australian automobile manufacturer, importer, and exporter which sold cars under its own marque in Australia. In its last thr ...

offers SS models in its range of

Holden Commodore The Holden Commodore is a full-size car that was sold by Holden from 1978 to 2020. It was manufactured from 1978 to 2017 in Australia and from 1979 to 1990 in New Zealand, with production of the locally manufactured versions in Australia endi ...

sedans and sportwagons, and also in the

Holden Ute The Holden Ute was a coupe utility built by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors, since 2000. Before then, Holden had marketed their Commodore-based utility models under the Holden Utility (VG) and Holden Commodore utility (VP, ...

range of two-door

coupé utilities A coupe or coupé (, ) is a passenger car with a sloping or truncated rear roofline and two doors. The term ''coupé'' was first applied to horse-drawn carriages for two passengers without rear-facing seats. It comes from the French past parti ...

.Ute, www.holden.com.au
Retrieved 10 January 2017

History

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. Since 1994, the SS package has been used on a variety of GM vehicles, including

pickup truck A pickup truck or pickup is a light-duty truck that has an enclosed cabin, and a back end made up of a cargo bed that is enclosed by three low walls with no roof (this cargo bed back end sometimes consists of a tailgate and removable covering) ...

s, four-door sedans, and

front wheel drive Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a form of engine and transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitu ...

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. File:Chevelle logo.jpg, Chevelle logo File:Chevelle 396.jpg, Chevelle SS 396 File:SS 396 logo.jpg, SS 396 logo

SS models

Current SS models

Chevrolet Camaro The Chevrolet Camaro is a mid-size American automobile manufactured by Chevrolet, classified as a pony car. It first went on sale on September 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year and was designed to compete with the Ford Mustang. The Camaro ...

: LT1 V8 producing

Previous SS models

Cars

* Chevrolet (Commodore) SS: '' LS3'' V8 producing 2014-2017 *

Chevrolet Cobalt The Chevrolet Cobalt is a compact car introduced by Chevrolet in 2004 for the 2005 model year. The Cobalt replaced both the Cavalier and the Toyota-based Geo/Chevrolet Prizm as Chevrolet's compact car. The Cobalt was available as both a coupe ...

turbocharged In an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger (often called a turbo) is a forced induction device that is powered by the flow of exhaust gases. It uses this energy to compress the intake gas, forcing more air into the engine in order to pr ...

'' Ecotec LNF'' I4 producing 2008–2010 (4 door, 2009) * Chevrolet Cobalt:

supercharged In an internal combustion engine, a supercharger compresses the intake gas, forcing more air into the engine in order to produce more power for a given displacement. The current categorisation is that a supercharger is a form of forced indu ...

'' Ecotec LSJ'' I4 producing 2005–2007 * Chevrolet Cobalt: '' Ecotec LE5'' I4 producing 2006–2008 *

Chevrolet HHR The Chevrolet HHR (an initialism for Heritage High Roof) is a retro-styled, high-roofed, five-door, five-passenger, front-wheel drive crossover designed by Bryan Nesbitt and launched by the American automaker Chevrolet at the 2005 Los Angeles A ...

'' Ecotec LNF'' I4 producing 2008–2010 *

Chevrolet Impala The Chevrolet Impala () is a full-size car built by Chevrolet for model years 1958 to 1985, 1994 to 1996, and 2000 to 2020. The Impala was Chevrolet's popular flagship passenger car and was among the better-selling American-made automobiles ...

1961–1969, 1994–1996, 2004–2009 *

Chevrolet Malibu The Chevrolet Malibu is a mid-size car manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet from 1964 to 1983 and again since 1997. The Malibu began as a trim-level of the Chevrolet Chevelle, becoming its own model line in 1978. Originally a rear-wheel-dr ...

/Malibu Maxx 2006–2007 *

Chevrolet Chevelle The Chevrolet Chevelle is a mid-sized automobile that was produced by Chevrolet in three generations for the 1964 through 1978 model years. Part of the General Motors (GM) A-body platform, the Chevelle was one of Chevrolet's most successful ...

1964–1973 *

1967–1972, 1996–2002 *

Chevrolet El Camino The Chevrolet El Camino is a coupé utility vehicle that was produced by Chevrolet between 1959–60 and 1964–1987. Unlike a standard pickup truck, the El Camino was adapted from the standard two-door Chevrolet station wagon platform and integ ...

1968–1987 * Chevrolet Chevy II Nova 1963–1968 *

Chevrolet Nova A nova (plural novae or novas) is a transient astronomical event that causes the sudden appearance of a bright, apparently "new" star (hence the name "nova", which is Latin for "new") that slowly fades over weeks or months. Causes of the dramat ...

1969–1976 *

Chevrolet Monte Carlo The Chevrolet Monte Carlo is a two-door coupe that was manufactured and marketed by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. Deriving its name from the city in Monaco, the Monte Carlo was marketed as the first personal luxury car of the Chevr ...

1970–1971, 1983–1988, 2000–2007

Trucks

* Chevrolet 454 SS 1990–1993 * Chevrolet S10 SS 1994–1998 *

Chevrolet SSR The Chevrolet SSR (Super Sport Roadster) is a retro-styled retractable hardtop convertible pickup truck manufactured by Chevrolet between 2003 and 2006. The 2003 and 2004 model years used General Motors' 5.3 L 300 hp '' Vortec 53 ...

: '' LS2'' V8 * Chevrolet Silverado SS * Chevrolet Silverado Intimidator SS *

Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS The Chevrolet TrailBlazer is a mid-size SUV produced by Chevrolet, a division of General Motors. The nameplate was first used in North America from 2001 to 2008; in 2009 it was replaced by the Traverse, as a crossover SUV. In 2011, a product ...

: '' LS2'' V8 2006–2009

Middle Eastern market

Chevrolet Caprice The Chevrolet Caprice is a full-sized automobile produced by Chevrolet in North America for the 1965 to 1996 model years. Full-size Chevrolet sales peaked in 1965 with over a million sold. It was the most popular car in the U.S. in the 1960s ...

: rebadge of

Impala SS The Chevrolet Impala () is a full-size car built by Chevrolet for model years 1958 to 1985, 1994 to 1996, and 2000 to 2020. The Impala was Chevrolet's popular flagship passenger car and was among the better-selling American-made automobiles in ...

(performance version of 4th generation Chevrolet Caprice sedan), '' LT1'' V8 producing 1995–1996 * Chevrolet Caprice: rebadge of

Holden Caprice The Holden Caprice is a full-sized car which was produced by Holden in Australia from 1990 to October 2017. The similar Holden Statesman, which was also introduced in 1990 as a model below the Caprice, was discontinued in September 2010. Betwe ...

, '' LS1'' V8 producing 1999–2006, '' L98'' V8 producing 2006–2009, '' L77'' V8 producing 2009–2015, '' LS3'' V8 producing 2015–2017 *

Chevrolet Lumina The Chevrolet Lumina is a mid-size car that was produced and marketed by the Chevrolet division of General Motors from 1989 until 2001. __TOC__ Background The first generation of the Lumina replaced the Chevrolet Celebrity and Chevrolet ...

coupé: rebadge of third generation

Holden Monaro The Holden Monaro ( ) is a rear-wheel drive coupé manufactured by General Motors Holden in Australia from 1968 to 1975 and later reintroduced from 2001 to 2005. It was also manufactured as a 4-door sedan from 1973 to 1977. Three generations of ...

CV8, '' LS1'' V8 producing 2002–2006 *Chevrolet Lumina sedan: rebadge of

SS sedan 2000–2011

South African market

For a short period of time in the early 1970s, a

–based "Chevrolet SS" model, similar in design, size and drivetrain to a Nova SS, was available in

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring coun ...

. Unlike the contemporary Nova, it was built as a

hardtop A hardtop is a rigid form of automobile roof, which for modern cars is typically constructed from metal. A hardtop roof can be either fixed (i.e. not removable), detachable for separate storing or retractable within the vehicle itself. The ...

, without fixed #2 or

B-pillar The pillars on a car with permanent roof body style (such as four-door Sedan (automobile), sedans) are the vertical or nearly vertical supports of its window area or Greenhouse (automotive), greenhouse—designated respectively as the ''A, B, ...

s 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

Classics: *

Chevrolet Opala The Chevrolet Opala is a Brazilian executive car sold under the Chevrolet brand in South America from 1969 to 1992, by General Motors do Brasil. It was derived from the German Opel Rekord Series C, Opel Commodore Series A, but used local desig ...

: '' 250'' I6 producing 1971–1974 *

: '' 250-S'' I6 producing 1974–1980 *

'' 151-S'' I4 producing 1974–1980 New Era: *

Chevrolet Astra Astra (Latin for "stars") may refer to: People * Astra (name) Places * Astra, Chubut, a village in Argentina * Astra (Isauria), a town of ancient Isauria, now in Turkey * Astra, one suggested name for a hypothetical fifth planet that became t ...

''Family II'' I4 producing 2006 *

Chevrolet Corsa The Opel Corsa is a supermini car engineered and produced by the German automobile manufacturer Opel since 1982. Throughout its existence, it has been sold under a variety of other brands owned by General Motors (most notably Vauxhall, Chevrolet ...

''Family 1'' SOHC 8-valve I4 producing 2006 * Chevrolet Meriva ''Family 1'' SOHC 8-valve I4 producing 2006

Australia (Holden)

Classics: *Holden SS Sedan: 4.2L (253 cu in) 253 V8 or 5.0L (308 cu in) 308 V8 *Holden LX Torana SS Hatchback: 3.3L (202 cu in) 202 I6, 4.2L (253 cu in) 253 V8 or 5.0L (308 cu in) 308 V8 *Holden VL Commodore SS: 5.0L (304 cu in) 5000i V8 *Holden Special Vehicles Group A SS: 5.0L (304 cu in) Enhanced 5000i V8 *Holden VN Commodore SS: 5.0L (304 cu in) 5000i V8 *Holden VP Commodore SS: 5.0L (304 cu in) 5000i V8 *Holden VR Commodore SS: 5.0L (304 cu in) 5000i V8 *Holden VN Commodore SS: 5.0L (304 cu in) 5000i V8 *Holden VT Commodore SS: 5.0L (304 cu in) 5000i V8 or 5.7L (350 cu in) GM Gen III LS1 V8 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

Chevrolet Captiva The Chevrolet Captiva is a compact crossover SUV marketed by General Motors under their Chevrolet marque. The first generation was developed by GM Korea, based on the GM Theta platform and derived from the S3X concept car revealed in 2004. Rel ...

'' Ecotec LE5'' I4 producing 2011

Concept car

In 2003, Chevrolet released a

concept car A concept car (also known as a concept vehicle, show vehicle or prototype) is a car made to showcase new styling and/or new technology. They are often exhibited at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or ...

they named the SS. A rear wheel drive

sports car A sports car is a car designed with an emphasis on dynamic performance, such as handling, acceleration, top speed, the thrill of driving and racing capability. Sports cars originated in Europe in the early 1900s and are currently produced by ...

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

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

External links

RSportsCars: Chevrolet SS Concept Car

Super Sport Camaros
{{Commons Chevrolet Muscle cars Official motorsports and performance division of automakers