This 2003 Chevrolet SSR pickup carries a provenance that few
production vehicles can match: it was the personal SSR of Ed
Welburn, the sixth head of design for General Motors and the first
person ever to lead GM design on a global scale. Over a 44-year
career at GM, Welburn was the driving force behind iconic
nameplates including Corvette, Camaro, and Cadillac - as well as
the Chevrolet SSR itself, the Super Sport Roadster he shepherded
from concept all the way to production.
What sets this particular truck apart is the depth of Welburn's
personal involvement in its build. He walked down the assembly line
as the SSR was being constructed, identified the floor pan through
assembly and paint, fit the right rear quarter-panel into place by
hand, and signed the vehicle in multiple locations as the build
progressed. The truck went on to serve as his official company car,
and he enjoyed it for nearly two decades. A personalized binder
accompanies the sale and includes photographs of Welburn watching
his SSR come together on the line.
Mechanically, the SSR is powered by a 5.3-liter V-8 producing a
factory-rated 300 horsepower, paired with an automatic transmission
and rear-wheel drive. The engine breathes through a dual exhaust
system. Stopping power comes from four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes,
and traction control is fitted.
The exterior is finished in Smokin' Asphalt Black and features the
SSR's signature power-retractable hardtop along with a hard tonneau
bed cover wearing a "44" decal, honoring Welburne's tenure at GM.
Five-spoke aluminum wheels are wrapped in Goodyear Eagle
performance tires. Inside, ebony leather bucket seats are joined by
air conditioning and full-power accessories.
The odometer shows just 14,869 actual miles - a remarkably
preserved example with a one-of-a-kind story tying it directly to
one of the most influential designers in modern American automotive
history.
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