I was bored and checking SSR's on Ebay and saw this FPR with very low miles and clicked on the auction. The owners description adds a bit of color to the ad by a story on the top designer. Being ignorant on this story, I am asking anyone in the know if this story is true. Thanks.
My SSR: #23198 06 Blue 3SS #375 of 532 - Birthday 12/21/05 - Took delivery 9/5/06 (2nd owner)
Quite a story. I am not sure about the designer's demise. Have not heard that part before. By Vin it is near the end with 212 made after it. According to the SEARCH function the VIN is only listed in the Last Smokin' Asphalt SSR thread and there is no Fanatic name associated with it. It is not in the Build Sheet thread so not so much available there either.
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Well...it took a few posts for someone to find that!.. I was gonna mention that but thought....meh...let's see how long it takes for one of the heathens to find it. Classy huh?..
Well...it took a few posts for someone to find that!.. I was gonna mention that but thought....meh...let's see how long it takes for one of the heathens to find it. Classy huh?..
Reminds me of KRAMER's, A$$ MAN, license plate. Hey, and who you callin' a heathen???
Not our fault ...we tried to save the designer....we supported the SSR
I should have stated that his facts are wrong and the story as represented in the ad is incorrect. GM actually donated an SSR to his foundation after his death.
My SSR: "Kate" a Haughty Redhead, '06 Redline FPR 6 spd. #23333 Build Date 2/16/06
Just saw this thread so haven't given this too much thought but it seems this guys story is made up of part truths.
I'm not sure about the number of $250M, but ASC pretty much risked their future on the SSR by entering into a joint venture with GM to build a good portion of the vehicle, including the roof, which was the catalyst to the joint venture.
The announcement of the closure of LCC 11/21/2005 was followed shortly thereafter by an announcement that ASC would be closing its operations down in Michigan as well. ASC eventually filed for bankruptcy, certainly largely due to the cessation of building the SSR.
Heinz Prechter was the owner/founder of ASC and unfortunately did take his own life reportedly due to a mental disorder (bipolar or something) he had battled for years. As noted earlier he passed before the SSR hit the streets.
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My SSR: #23198 06 Blue 3SS #375 of 532 - Birthday 12/21/05 - Took delivery 9/5/06 (2nd owner)
In the article that RRR linked to there were two pictures of SSRs. The Silver without the deck and the Orange with White. Are these artwork or real and why would the orange on have different wheels and a front bumper?
See below
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Use the SSR Parts Exchange It works for us all BlueStreak - One of the Blues Brothers
In the article that RRR linked to there were two pictures of SSRs. The Silver without the deck and the Orange with White. Are these artwork or real and why would the orange on have different wheels and a front bumper?
See below
The orange is real & I don't remember who customize that one.
Maybe it SoCal Speed Shop .... or something along that line...
My SSR: "Kate" a Haughty Redhead, '06 Redline FPR 6 spd. #23333 Build Date 2/16/06
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueStreak
In the article that RRR linked to there were two pictures of SSRs. The Silver without the deck and the Orange with White. Are these artwork or real and why would the orange on have different wheels and a front bumper?
See below
The orange is the Tangerine & Cream SoCal #13 owned by BigBlockSSR. He bought this and the Blackbird in the latter part of 2008 from ASC.
SoCal 13 was built about the time the SoCal Bonneville Salt Flat Push Truck was and has similar characteristics, the Budnik wheels and bumper through the fog light recepticles being two of them.
The is real also. It shows the tonneau in its hanger on the wall in the background.
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"Such are the Vagaries of Life"
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A specially outfitted West Coast edition debuted in 2005 that was built in conjunction with the So-Cal Speed Shop for distribution to Southern California Chevrolet dealers.
Really? There was more than one SoCal truck?
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Note, the tangerine orange & cream version was rec'd by BigBlockSSr without the louvered belly pan in the rear, picture # 3 above. I have detailed pictures from him. Also note that the '57 Bel Air exterior rear view mirrors have not been mounted yet in the pictures posted. They are barely visible in the hood up picture #4.
The red & white push truck used the fog light recepticles to mount the push bar to the frame rails for the Belly Tank Salt Flats car.
Dwight's photo #2, Silver SSR, is from a GM ad for the Bed Rail Trim Kit and tonneau cover wall hanger system. ZZR nows sells the bed rail kit. Mike in AZ for the hanger system and bag. Good job guys!
The orange is the Tangerine & Cream SoCal #13 owned by BigBlockSSR. He bought this and the Blackbird in the latter part of 2008 from ASC.
SoCal 13 was built about the time the SoCal Bonneville Salt Flat Push Truck was and has similar characteristics, the Budnik wheels and bumper through the fog light recepticles being two of them.
I should have stated that his facts are wrong and the story as represented in the ad is incorrect. GM actually donated an SSR to his foundation after his death.
These threads sure drift like sand... Thank you for bringing this to light. Figures it would be a man with German blood to make these tops and has quite a history. Very interesting and sad to see him fight the "mania" demon.
I just can't figure out how the guy selling his truck needs to bring the half truths to his auction in order to sell his truck. It's a very nice truck without the bullcrap story. I am going to email him and send the facts and hope he removes the lies. I owe the designer that much.
A specially outfitted West Coast edition debuted in 2005 that was built in conjunction with the So-Cal Speed Shop for distribution to Southern California Chevrolet dealers.
And where are the rest of them that were distributed through dealers. I've only seen one copy of each style SoCal built.
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My SSR: "Kate" a Haughty Redhead, '06 Redline FPR 6 spd. #23333 Build Date 2/16/06
Quote:
Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce
Yeah, but which one is...
And where are the rest of them that were distributed through dealers. I've only seen one copy of each style SoCal built.
I believe the answer to the first part of this is SoCal #13.
The Push Truck was built first in order to be ready for the SEMA show and then of course on to the Flats.
It began as a stock LM4 Automatic when it left LCC on to ASC where the interior and power train were swapped and custom cargo lid etc were built. The Push truck then went on to SoCal where the push bar was built, suspension lowered and beefed, body mods and cosmetic works were completed. It was far from an assembly line build.
What made it somewhat difficult to locate the VIN for the Push Truck was it was always referred to as the "2004" SoCal Bonneville Salt Flats Push Truck. It is my opinion the "MY2004" started because it was first displayed at the 2004 SEMA show. In fact is was a MY2003 - VIN 301.
SoCal 13 was built subsequently, presumably with the intention of it being the first of many collaberations between ASC & SoCal to build the West Coast modified SSR. I have an article in my files that led me to believe there should be 4 SoCals, but I am almost positive that is not the case. The idea was that SoCal in partnership with ASC was going to build the "West Coast SSR" and SoCal 13 was the template. When the crap hit the fan in late 2005 any idea of a small West Coast production would have gone out the window with the plant closure announcements.
The Push Truck - A cooperative effort between GM - ASC & SoCal
SoCal 13 - Joint venture between ASC & SoCal. I do not believe GM was involved
Diamondback - ASC only
Blackbird - I do not know the story here but believe this again was ASC only.
The Blackbird and SoCal 13 were sold by ASC at the same time to BigBlockSSR.
The Diamondback did not have a Saleable Title and was scrapped
The Push Truck is still held by GM, on display at Warren Tech Center.
Some of the above I know for fact, some is conjecture on my part, but all to the best of my knowledge.
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"Such are the Vagaries of Life"
Ah, I'm Just Truckin' With Ya!
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to me.
I was gonna mention that but thought....meh...let's see how long it takes for one of the heathens to find it. Classy huh?..
VIVA DE FUNK
SSR.
is real also. It shows the tonneau in its hanger on the wall in the background.
Thank you for bringing this to light. Figures it would be a man with German blood to make these tops and has quite a history. Very interesting and sad to see him fight the "mania" demon. 
LM4 Automatic when it left LCC on to ASC where the interior and power train were swapped and custom cargo lid etc were built. The Push truck then went on to SoCal where the push bar was built, suspension lowered and beefed, body mods and cosmetic works were completed. It was far from an assembly line build.
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