DETROIT - Auto enthusiasts anxious to get close to the much-anticipated Chevrolet SSR
will get their wish, as the first
saleable Chevy SSR will be featured prominently on the Chevrolet stand during this year's
North American International Auto Show. VIN
#1 is the first of 25 saleable SSRs to be used in a unique launch program that will create
one-of-a-kind "pedigrees" for each vehicle.
Both the vehicles and the program carry the name "Signature Series."
Production of the Signature Series SSRs began in December 2002 and will continue through
April 2003. They will be used in a wide
variety of high-profile launch activities around the country throughout the 2003 calendar
year. Many will be part of themed
events created specifically around the SSR. Each vehicle will embark on a unique journey,
and along the way, Chevrolet representatives
will collect memorabilia, photographs, autographs, news clippings and other keepsakes that
connect to the journey. These collectibles
will create a "pedigree" specific to each SSR, and will be placed in a special
scrapbook that will be auctioned off with each vehicle at
the end of its road trip.
"We developed the Signature Series vehicles and program concept as a creative way to
introduce the new Chevy SSR to as many people as
possible," said Russ Clark, marketing director for Chevy's mid-size trucks.
"Each SSR will have its own unique adventure - a pedigree of
sorts - that could never be duplicated."
Signaling the start of SSR saleable production, the Signature Series vehicles will carry
vehicle identification numbers (VINs) 000001
through 000025 (automotive collectors often seek out low numbers.) Unlike the rest of the
Signature Series vehicles, which will have
two signatures on their 'waterfall' interior badge, VIN #1 will have four (GM President
and CEO Rick Wagoner, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz,
GM North America President Gary Cowger, and GM Design Vice President Wayne Cherry). GM
will retain this SSR as part of its historic
vehicle collection.
Ultimately, all of the Signature Series SSRs (with the exception of VIN #1) will be
offered for sale through public or GM dealer
auctions during 2003. The scrapbook and memorabilia collected in association with the use
of that particular vehicle will be included
as part of the auction package, adding to authenticity of the vehicle's pedigree. The SSR
Signature Series program will consist of nine themed
pedigrees, including a "Stars Car," a "Rock & Roll," car and five
"Street Art SSRs." Specific details for some pedigrees have yet to
be finalized and will be announced at a later date.
Start of SSR regular retail production and shipment to Chevrolet dealers is scheduled to
begin at General Motors' Lansing (Mich.)
Craft Centre in Summer 2003.
There is nothing else like the SSR in the market today. It's part roadster, part pickup
and is a completely innovative expression of
Chevy's proud heritage. A highlight of SSR's design is a unique power-operated retractable
hardtop that stores vertically in a
compartment between the passenger and rear storage compartments. The frame and chassis of
the SSR are similar in design to Chevy's
mid-size TrailBlazer family of sport utilities. All exterior panels are of stamped steel.
Power comes from a new aluminum block version
of GM's Vortec 5300 (5.3-liter) small-block V-8 and drives the rear wheels through a
four-speed automatic transmission. Rounding out the
sporty street machine appearance of the SSR are 19-inch front and 20-inch rear tires and
wheels.
A comprehensive program of regular production options and accessories will be available
for the 2003 SSR, with additional
accessories being added in subsequent model years.
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