that SSR is sick man! Was not expecting that when I was watching the video lol

 

Oh yeah Those vehicles are SICK!!!!!

What trans/converter is in the SSR?

Man i'd love to have a GN!!!

 

Very impressed! Not a terribly popular vehicle to mod, let alone to that level. It would make you cry if you knew what the original plan for the SSR was. I started working for ASC Inc. in 1999 and the building i worked at was kind of a "catch all" for a bunch of GM projects (mostly mid-cycle enhancements). One of the "secret" projects was a nostalgia truck organized through GM advanced studio. It was a joint design project between ASC designers and GM designers. The winning design was taken to 3D model and a 1/4 scale foam model was going to be made. The winning designer was actually a guy from ASC by the name of Doug Ungemach and the 3D modeler was a guy who co-owned a 3D design studio in Troy Michigan. From Concept to scale model, not a SINGLE GM employee had a hand in the design (the show truck interior was done by a GM designer though). The original concept was a compact pickup with nostalgic design with a V8, usable bed, and a price point below $25K. From the show truck to the production vehicle, too many idiots got their hands on it. I was never really on the project but watched from a distance and felt terrible at how such a great concept could turn into a bloated, expensive, pig. One of my close friends was lead designer on the production interior and he had to fight tooth and nail just to get halfway decent interior materials. When I see one, I always lament about what could have been a killer truck. Kudo's to you for giving the SSR some dignity.

 

thanks for that info man! Can you get some pics of the origianl design?

 

I know what you mean, I put a glass hood and did away with about 80 pounds on the wheels but added some with the rear end and still it weighs 5,000 lbs., If I was younger I would do away with that fold down top and pull all the works out that runs it and try to drop 1,000 lbs. I feel the same way GM almost got it right then droped the ball, When I got it new the first time I drove it I said this thing is a dog, It won't even break the wheels lose, I had to make it run like it looks if I just do it for a while, Even the way it runs it still gets 21 mpg on the highway on pump gas, But you pull that engine out and put in a light car you have a low 9 high 8 sec. street car that you can drive anyplace and get 26 or more mpg on pump gas, I have a PTC 9 1/2 three disk lockup 3200 stall 4L65 with every built part made for it, First time at the strip seem everyone wanted to get beside me but now they don't, Take care

 

Double-L and Boober , thanks for posting and the info!

Ive always loved the SSR but this the way it should have came from the factory!!! Or somewhat close haha!

 

Man that maggie was SCREAMIN!!!

 

+1
Thanks Double-L and Boober for that info. Good read

 

How about the transmission? What's been done there?

 

Really, the only thing I have is a signed copy of the original sketch. Doug was signing copies of the sketch at work and decided to use black instead of blue. After signing one in blue, I asked him if I could have it and he said sure, so here is a crappy camera pic of the sketch. Unfortunately, it has seen better days. I'm not sure where the rip came from.



BTW, there was a GM designer who was a part of the project (I think he might have been the lead for GM advanced) who was going around with a napkin sketch, after the concept was introduced, telling everyone who would listen that he penned the original concept on a napkin at lunch one day. He even turned it into a speaking gig. I wish I could remember his name, he was a real D-bag. I asked Doug how he felt and he couldn't have cared less. I always thought it was pretty underhanded but that's how the car design industry goes. Some folks try to hitch their coat tails on a hot project and hope it carries them out of the muck and into an executive position. I can't blame them I guess, it worked for Brian Nesbit (he supposedly penned the original PT cruiser and parleyed it into an executive design position at GM)