SSR Brings Top Dollar

[Marc NY]

SSR Brings Top Dollar
By Jeffrey Bellant

The Chevrolet SSR went out with a bang.
The last production SSR made available for public sale went through lane No. 4 at Manheim’s Detroit Auto Auction May 18 and prompted a spirited bidding war.

In the end, the man who bought the first SSR available for public purchase several years ago made the winning bid of $113,000 for the last SSR. It had an MSRP of just over $49,000.
Representatives from General Motors Corp. were present at the sale and cheered throughout.

Bob McDorman, president of Bob McDorman Chevrolet in Ohio, added the “smokin’ asphalt over ricochet silver” car to his personal collection of 210 cars. All but five or six are Chevrolets.
McDorman owns the No. 2, 3, 4, and 5 SSRs off the assembly line.

Even the VIN numbers on the vehicles are consecutive, according to GM.

The No. 1 unit and the last unit off the assembly line – which were not made available for public sale – are placed in the GM Heritage Collection, the company’s fleet of historic vehicles, some of which are displayed in the GM Heritage Center in Sterling Heights, Mich.

The No. 2 production unit was the first made available to the public. McDorman paid $137,000 for it.
“It’s been the most underrated car on the market,” McDorman said. “I love that car.”
McDorman received a framed collection of SSR materials, including the vehicle’s window sticker, and several promotional items.

He also received a die cast metal SSR, signed by those involved in the vehicle’s production and sale.
McDorman has been a Chevy dealer for 26 years, a car dealer for 41 years and in the automobile business for a half a century.

“I’m proud to be a Chevy dealer,” he said.
Chevrolet sold 24,180 units during its four-year run, from 2003 to 2006.
The sale created a thrill among the GM executives. Jeff Heichel, GM’s director of used vehicle activities, clapped his hands and cheered when the bidding went over $100,000, and Dan Kennedy, GM’s sales manager, grinned as bidding increased.

“It was absolutely exciting,” Peper said.
He was glad that a longtime Chevy dealer cast the winning bid.
Jim Elliott, the auction’s general manager, said he hoped the vehicle would fetch $70,000.
One of the most excited people at the sale was auctioneer Dan Stone.

Prior to the $100,000 bid, Stone coaxed higher offers from an Internet dealer and from McDorman, when bidding had stalled a couple of times.

[HotRodGirl]

Wish I had his collection............thanks Marc great article

[REBEL]

I wish I had 2/5 of his collection of SSR's .... question is what else has he collected along the way?

[savilloc]

Marc,

Thanks for posting this great story about the some of the final days of the production SSR history.

Maybe GM/Chevy will fiqure out a way to make limited custom production vehicle in the future, learning from the good (fanatic fan base) and bad (high production cost) lessons from the SSR.

Carl

[WOW_FCTR]

Originally Posted by REBEL

I wish I had 2/5 of his collection of SSR's .... question is what else has he collected along the way?

Here is a post from 9/2/2003.......(see this forum really does have ALL the answers )

http://www.ssrfanatic.com/forum/show...05&postcount=5

[REBEL]

OH OH ... HOTROD GIRL ….. I feel a September run coming on.

September 9, 2006
Bob McDorman Chevrolet
Corvette and Chevy Car Show
Canal Winchester, Ohio

http://www.bobmcdormanchevrolet.com/

[roadsterjeff]

My daughter lives 2 miles from the dealership and I'm only about 1 1/2 hrs away, myself. I bought an Astro van from that dealership a few years ago. They are known for the large (really really large) American flag that flies on the property.

[Marc NY]

Originally Posted by REBEL

I wish I had 2/5 of his collection of SSR's .... question is what else has he collected along the way?

Awhile ago I had asked Bob W. what he thought of Mr. McDorman and his superb collection of cars and Bob said that Mr. McDorman was truly a hard core/ die hard GM/ Chevy guy for sure.

I think it might be a super idea to see how many of our members might want to surprise Bob McDorman and meet up or caravan down to his super show. I have heard there is nothing like it around.

[HotRodGirl]

OH OH ... HOTROD GIRL ….. I feel a September run coming on.

September 9, 2006
Bob McDorman Chevrolet
Corvette and Chevy Car Show
Canal Winchester, Ohio

Consider it done....besides Marty from Ohio says "Ohio dosen't have anything exciting for us to do a run to. Now we do

I think it might be a super idea to see how many of our members might want to surprise Bob McDorman and meet up or caravan down to his super show. I have heard there is nothing like it around.

I'll look into more info soon

[Ricochet]

hehehe, I'm sure paid for with money he swindled from his customers and "Rusty Jones" sales.

[Flassh]

Can't do it this year, but if all goes well at the business end, I want to be at Woodward in August 07, then spend a month or so touring the east coast - Ohio sounds like a good stop on the way back.

[REBEL]

Have a bed for you. might find some hotdogs

[Marc NY]

Hey Ed,
Your new avatar looks a lot like your favorite uncle Bobby doesn't it?

[Mike in AZ]

If there is an extra SSR copilot seat for the caravan to McDorman's, I'd love to go along. Please keep me in mind if this starts to gel up a little.......

Mikey

[REBEL]

map
http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en...67605,4.262695

[HotRodGirl]

Originally Posted by Mike in AZ

If there is an extra SSR copilot seat for the caravan to McDorman's, I'd love to go along. Please keep me in mind if this starts to gel up a little.......

Mikey

Mikey

Will keep you in mind for that extra seat If not you can sit on my lap

[wildcat66]

Hey Mike in Az we could go on over there on our way to Warren!!

[CashSax]

Sad in a Way..locked in a display forever..thank god mine was born to run..

[SSR03]

Originally Posted by REBEL

I wish I had 2/5 of his collection of SSR's .... question is what else has he collected along the way?

REBEL,
NICE AVATAR DUDE!

[ZoeWiseman]

over 100! i just got mine 13,000 under sticker!

[EZGO]

My yellow 04 SSR has been in the body shop for over two and a half months. The Chevrolet dealer tells me that GM has been on strike, and no right front fenders are available.
Can anyone please help?

[Marc NY]

Originally Posted by EZGO

My yellow 04 SSR has been in the body shop for over two and a half months. The Chevrolet dealer tells me that GM has been on strike, and no right front fenders are available.
Can anyone please help?

Because there has been some product and plant closures there has been some vendor supplier issues with some of the OEM vendors GM deals with (like - who will be making up the replacement parts). It is my understanding that most of those issues have now been resolved. That is why there was or is a supplier parts shortage on the SSRs and few other GM products.

Now that all those issue(s) have hopefully been resolved the parts supply pipe line should fill up soon. That is why many of our SSR parts have been on back order. Again there should be a much better supply of parts very soon.

[frank belk]

good because the inside chrome was easy to get until tues when several items went on back order again I dont even want to talk about the inside or body parts or fans or accessories or ok stop now -frank

[HotRodGirl]

Bob McDorman 33rd Annual Corvette & Classic Chevy Show

September 8, 9 ,10th

Many members have shown interest in attending this show in Ohio.
I have placed a call today to find out more information and I am waiting on a call back.


http://www.bobmcdormanchevrolet.com/