SSR Push Truck - Bonneville Salt Flats run

[Scoaster]

This truck is currently sitting in the GM Vehicle Engineering Center lobby in Warren, MI;

2004 Chevrolet SSR Push Truck - Top Speed

More pics;

2004 Chevrolet SSR Push Truck Pictures - Page 1 - Top Speed

[ubuck]

I like the bed mods. Pretty neat idea, there~

[Doug Allen]

Member BigBlockSSR owns the SoCal SSR, and a few others.....

FastestSSR.com

[Cash]

Good find. I've been trying to track this one.
I've just tried unsuccessfully to contact GM VEC and also GM Tech
(same building) but can't get past the security # which gets me nowhere!

[CQQL_SSR]

Originally Posted by Doug Allen

Member BigBlockSSR owns the SoCal SSR, and a few others.....

FastestSSR.com

I don't think that is the same one Doug.
This one is the typical SoCal red and white paint scheme.
BigBlockSSR owns the SoCal red and cream SSR with the front end modifications and Eric's hood.

[Cash]

http://www.ssrfanatic.com/forum/atta...-socal-ssr.jpg

This is BigBlocks. I believe it is referred to as tangerine and cream.

[Maui Mike]

That link was posted....2004 Chevrolet SSR Push Truck Posted on 12.12.2005 19:56 Interesting comments posted at the bottom of the page

Yes, Red & White and Tangerine & Cream, 2 different trucks. So-Cal Speed Shop has one and BigBlockSSR the other. Good Luck Cash, I know you been trying to track that red/wht one down. I bet Pete has it.

[Cash]

Originally Posted by Maui Mike

That link was posted....2004 Chevrolet SSR Push Truck Posted on 12.12.2005 19:56 Interesting comments posted at the bottom of the page

Yes, Red & White and Tangerine & Cream, 2 different trucks. So-Cal Speed Shop has one and BigBlockSSR the other. Good Luck Cash, I know you been trying to track that red/wht one down. I bet Pete has it.

Am I misinterpretting post #1?
It sounds like it is in the GM Tech Center now, but I have no idea why it would be.
GM really didn't have anything to do with it, other than the initial build of course,
as it was an ASC/SoCal collaberation.
One reason I was trying to contact them, if GM Tech does have it, was to determine
where it has been hiding for the last few years and why they have it.

[Maui Mike]

That link is 4 years and 3 months old. It says NOTHING about where it is today. I don't have any idea where Scoaster came up w/ the info that it's sitting in Warren, MI right now? Maybe he'll chime in on his Secret Squirrel info

We had this conversation, but here we go again... The last I heard, Pete Chapouris, owner of So-Cal Speed Shop, kept it (the red/white SSR) and it's in his collection. The Tangerine/Cream was sold to Mark Hicks, aka BigBlockSSR, and he also bought the Black Bird SSR.

Did you follow up with the So-Cal shop info and Marks info at his shop?

[Maui Mike]

I found a picture of the lobby and the truck is not one of the vehicles in it. Email me and I'll show you the photo.

[Cash]

Originally Posted by Maui Mike

That link is 4 years and 3 months old. It says NOTHING about where it is today. I don't have any idea where Scoaster came up w/ the info that it's sitting in Warren, MI right now? Maybe he'll chime in on his Secret Squirrel info

We had this conversation, but here we go again... The last I heard, Pete Chapouris, owner of So-Cal Speed Shop, kept it (the red/white SSR) and it's in his collection. The Tangerine/Cream was sold to Mark Hicks, aka BigBlockSSR, and he also bought the Black Bird SSR.

Did you follow up with the So-Cal shop info and Marks info at his shop?

I remember the conversation well Mike.
Unfortunately, excitement overcame logic, and I did not consider the logic of this statement
in Post #1 before submitting my post. I should have checked things out first.

This truck is currently sitting in the GM Vehicle Engineering Center lobby in Warren, MI;

Given Scoaster's avatar notes he is from Warren, MI, I assumed this was likely fresh news.
I am easily lead astray!
I have yet to follow up on Chapouris or another possible location I need to check.

[Scoaster]

All, I am posted at the Tech Center, and although I am in a different building from the VEC, a friend of mine IM'd me with the links, saying that the Push Truck was sitting in front of the Java City coffee shop this afternoon.

I wouldn't have posted if I didn't think it was really there (trusting a buddy), but you've all made me suspect that this may be a fantasy... so now I need to know. The links would not have been part of the display, just a posterboard description and maybe a 'history', but my buddy would have done a little digging to send me 'evidence' that would make me take interest in something that was in a different building than my own, hence the outdated links.

Maui Mike: the lobby of the VEC has space for about 6-8 vehicles, depending on arrangement. There is another adjacent display area to the south of the main lobby surrounding a large open coffee shop called Java City, that could easily hold another 6-8 vehicles.

I will take a trip into the office tomorrow and personally confirm. I suspect that I will not be allowed to take photos, but I will take my camera just in case. I'll be back online tomorrow with my conclusions.

7:44pm update... I just talked to my buddy and he confirms that he actually saw it. It's part of a display with a vehicle similarly painted, that he assumes is what the SSR 'pushed'. Not being able to take photos, he looked it up and sent me the links. He couldn't be certain, thinking back, if it was red and white or tangerine and cream. I am hoping that it will still be there tomorrow, as he was uncertain how long it had been on display. I will try and get contact information for you Cash, so that you can follow up on it.

[Cash]

Partial Quote:7:44pm update... I just talked to my buddy and he confirms that he actually saw it. It's part of a display with a vehicle similarly painted, that he assumes is what the SSR 'pushed'. Not being able to take photos, he looked it up and sent me the links. He couldn't be certain, thinking back, if it was red and white or tangerine and cream. I am hoping that it will still be there tomorrow, as he was uncertain how long it had been on display. I will try and get contact information for you Cash, so that you can follow up on it. Unquote

Thanks Scoaster. I just went through a PM I received from Greg and was about to post here stating same but
see it is already done. It will be the Red/White for sure, as that is the "Push Truck" and the location of the
Tangerine/Cream is known. This is exciting news and look forward to your report!

[Scoaster]

Originally Posted by Cash

Thanks Scoaster. I just went through a PM from I received from Greg and was about to post here stating same
but see it is already done. It will be the Red/White for sure, as that is the "Push Truck" and the location of the
Tangerine/Cream is known. This is exciting news and look forward to your report!

Hi Cash, Scoaster = Greg

[Maui Mike]

Thanks for the insider info!!! Try some sneaky cell phones pics if you can LOL I saw photos of the lobbies and there was no SSR there, but the pics could have been old? I hope that you find it and it has some info as to who the owner is.

Thanks again!!!

Cash, sorry if I sounded short, my bad.

[Scoaster]

Originally Posted by Maui Mike

Thanks for the insider info!!! Try some sneaky cell phones pics if you can LOL I saw photos of the lobbies and there was no SSR there, but the pics could have been old?

No worries Maui Mike... just like the Pusher photos on the internet were old, so certainly were any you'd find of the VEC lobby. And again, there are more display areas than merely the main lobby. I'll see what I can get away with in the morning. Once (and if) I get photos, how do I get them posted here? I'll probably just have to email anything I get to Cash, eh?

[PaceGuy]

Scoaster, We've got tons of pics. of the truck from back in the day...let's get the VIN! An '04 with a six speed is a unique animal -- unless it's an '05, EX, other...

[Cash]

Originally Posted by Maui Mike

Thanks for the insider info!!! Try some sneaky cell phones pics if you can LOL I saw photos of the lobbies and there was no SSR there, but the pics could have been old? I hope that you find it and it has some info as to who the owner is. Thanks again!!!

Cash, sorry if I sounded short, my bad.

No problem. I have you filed alphabetically under "Cantankerous Hawaii Guy"!
Actually, I never noticed.
I never thought to ask about trying to check ownership.

Originally Posted by PaceGuy

Scoaster, We've got tons of pics. of the truck from back in the day...let's get the VIN! An '04 with a six speed is a unique animal -- unless it's an '05, EX, other...

That was #1 on my request list to Scoaster!
I doubt "EX" given the Tangerine/Cream wasn't, or do you think it could be possible?

And Scoaster, email away, eh!

[Scoaster]

Ok all, I just got back from my mission. The building is sparsely populated on weekends so the lighting in the display area was at a minimum. Neither me or my camera are professional grade, especially in low-light conditions, but I did get several shots. PaceGuy says that photos are not the main interest, so if someone wants what I've got, let me know. (I've figured out how to load to my camera icon, so they are now posted in my gallery)(if you want me to email you the batch, or singularly, PM me your email address)

It is definitely there and it is definitely the Red/White Push Truck with the multi-vented hood (don't know the technical term, but am sure you guys know what I mean). Also in the display is the LowBellyRacer and the EcoTec Cobalt.

The VIN is 1GCES14P03B100301 (one of the photos captured this as well ). All of the display signage is from the 2004 Hot Rod Power Tour, so no new information there, for you guys who have been researching this for some time now. The only contact information was the following website; GM Performance Division :: Home Page, which in turn led me to; Garage - Racing Vehicles and since no one was around on a Saturday, there was no one to ask about contacting the custodian/caretaker... I'll go back on Monday and see if I can dig up a name and number of someone who can answer questions regarding history, etc.

[Cash]

Wow! #301!
After the Signatures this is quite possibly #2 out of the womb! (Signatures excepted).
This shows it as an '03, not '04 as thought, and likely has a BOD of 6/12/2003, the earliest of the early.
This definitely will be the earliest 6 speed. The question I guess is who, when and where was it installed?
All previous info I have on 1GCES14P03B100301 is that it started as a Smokin Asphalt, and was a SEMA Truck,
both of which need to be confirmed.
This leaves a lot to be sorted out with this puppy, but what a great start!
PaceGuy probably has a certain amount of info as this is one of the original 68 WD1 Pilots.
I'll ask Umpire to run a Build Sheet, then think about this more. Exciting stuff Scoaster!

P.S. 1GCES14P03B100301 (one of the photos captured this as well)
Excellent! I will send you my email address Scoaster.

[PaceGuy]

Awesome work Greg! Thanks for capturing the VIN! I'll PM you with my email address too to get those pics. that were so unimportant to me yesterday . I spoke with Greg Wallace at the GM Heritage Center two weeks ago and he agreed to look into how many SSRs are on the GM owned list. Based on what Dale has shared with me with regard to his correspondence with others at GM it sounds like GM P.D. may well still own this truck.

Just some information to pass along: The Heritage Collection is not "owned" by one GM entity. Each division that owns a car in the collection needs to "pay its way" of sorts by accepting charges for storage and maintenace of their vehicles. Charges hit the cost centers of the owning divisions monthly. As an example, the last SSR (#24112) is owned by Chevrolet Motor Divison--they pay the freight to keep the truck in the collection. By contrast, the monthly intra-company cross charge for the 2000 SSR concept truck goes to GM Global Design. When I talked to Greg he confirmed that both the Concept and #24112 are on permanent display at the Heritage Center. The building houses ~200 vehicles, some displays are rotated in and out. The balance of the collection is stored in warehouses operated by a firm GM contracts with (not too far away from the GM Tech. Center and the Heritage Center facility itself).

Since 2004 a process has been in place where each time a Barrett-Jackson auction rolls around a list of vehicles that are not considered "historically significant" is floated to each division who has a vehicle(s) in the collection (they have detailed criteria documented defining historically significant). If they chose to retain a vehicle, the owning entity must agree to continue accepting charges to their cost center for it. In 2009 the list mentioned above got much larger than it had been before for both economic reasons and past internal GM politicing that had let the collection get very large. Many divisons chose to let their vehicles go to auction. In 2010 the list has become much shorter as a result of liquidating several hundred vehicles last year. Expect for this process to continue every year.

One thing is certain, unless GM completly colapses we won't see cars like the Buick Y-Job, the 50's Firebirds, Corvette Mako Shark, etc. on the public market.
.

[Scoaster]

Originally Posted by Cash

Wow! #301! This leaves a lot to be sorted out with this puppy, but what a great start!
PaceGuy probably has a certain amount of info as this is one of the original 68 WD1 Pilots.
I'll ask Umpire to run a Build Sheet, then think about this more. Exciting stuff Scoaster!

Originally Posted by PaceGuy

Awesome work Greg! Thanks for capturing the VIN! I'll PM you with my email address too to get those pics. that were so unimportant to me yesterday . .

I'm excited to be part of this discovery/research! I would've bet money that when I originally posted the links, that someone would be telling me that this was old news, a done deal, and referred me (the newbie) to previous threads that I should have checked before posting. Instead, I feel great to have unwittingly un-earthed something that still has some mystery surrounding it! Wow!

[Cash]

Originally Posted by Scoaster

I'm excited to be part of this discovery/research! I would've bet money that when I originally posted the links, that someone would be telling me that this was old news, a done deal, and referred me (the newbie) to previous threads that I should have checked before posting. Instead, I feel great to have unwittingly un-earthed something that still has some mystery surrounding it! Wow!

You can rest assured that I will do everything I can to get you someone knowledgeable to talk to Cash!

Thanks Scoaster. You are doing a great job! A contact would be wonderful. I would need to
ensure all questions we want answered are prepared.

I have been thinking about the '04 bit. What may have happened is an early '03 became known as
the 2004 SoCal SEMA truck (to be confirmed), the 2004 SoCal Bonneville Push Truck, and eventually
morphed into being a 2004 SSR by number association with the continual reference to "2004".

[Scoaster]

Has anyone actually called it an '04? I know I'm new to this, but so far, I've been thinking that the '2004' reference had only to do with the 2004 Salt Flat Speed Run or the 2004 Hot Rod Power Tour, not necessarily the year of the truck.

The website in the first link (perhaps incorrectly named) says only that "The Chevrolet SSR Bonneville Push Truck, which will be used as a push truck for the 2004 Bonneville Salt Flat Speed Record, will make its public debut at the 2004 Hot Rod Power Tour." And the photo sets therein included show the headrests stitched with "SSR Bonneville 2004"... I will bet you are right though, in your assertion that the absence of anything saying clearly that it is a 2003 truck, would easily lead all who read what's readily available, into assuming that it is a 2004 model.

[PaceGuy]

Originally Posted by Cash

Thanks Scoaster. You are doing a great job! A contact would be wonderful. I would need to
ensure all questions we want answered are prepared.

I have been thinking about the '04 bit. What may have happened is an early '03 became known as
the 2004 SoCal SEMA truck (to be confirmed), the 2004 SoCal Bonneville Push Truck, and eventually
morphed into being a 2004 SSR by number association with the continual reference to "2004".

Makes sense Dale. The press release with #303 pictured took a few liberties...

"The 2005 Chevy SSR pace vehicle has a four-color paint scheme..." "...The Chevy SSR pacing the field is nearly identical to the vehicles available in dealer showrooms." 2005-02-25: Chevy SSR Returns To Pace The Field In NASCAR

At that time, only my truck and Roadranger's (#331) were in service -- both are '03s. The two '05 Flame trucks joined the NASCAR pace rotation two months later.

[Cash]

Here is the Build Sheet courtesy of Umpire.
Of note:
-I believe this one is about as loaded with options and as full a Build Sheet possible for the era. (no wind suppresser)
-This is the 1st SSR by BOD I have seen.
-This is the 1st ERG (auxiliary gauges) by BOD I have seen
-It started life as an LM4 M-30 Automatic
-It was originally Smokin Asphalt
-A few of these Pilots had the Auxilliary Gauges
It appears to have gone through the exact build sequence of any of the SSR's of the time.
As for the modifications for the SoCal, it left LCC as built and everything else including 6 speed was done outside of LCC.
The M-10 6sp & LS2 conversion, rear tonneau & red interior done at ASC.
It was then sent to SoCal Speedshop for the completion to become the Bonneville Salt flat Push Truck.
SoCal works included lowering, cosmetics such as beltline, SoCal badge, undebody mouldings, mirrors, push bar etc.

1GCES14P03B100301
VEHICLE BUILD
Merchandising Model : CS15703 -2003 CHEVY SSR -SUPER SPORT ROADSTER
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating : 2747 kg (6057 lb) Order Number : FWSB56
Build Date : 06/12/2003 Build Plant : 13B03
OPTION CODES
AAB - MEMORY DRIVER CONVENIENCE PKG
AJ1 - DEEP TINTED GLASS
AJ7 - DR/PASS FRT & SIDE AIRBAGS
AU0 - KEYLESS REMOTE DOOR LOCK
A31 - POWER WINDOWS
A95 - HIGH BACK RECLINING BUCKET SEATS WITH FLOOR CONSOLE
BCP - ENGINE COVER INSERT
BKF - CUSTOMIZED FLOOR MATS ***DEALER INSTALLED***
BVE - INTEGRATED RUNNING BOARDS ***DEALER INSTALLED***
B30 - WHEELHOUSING & FLOOR CARPETING
CJ3 - CLIMATE CONTROL
CTD - CARGO NETTING PKG CONSISTS OF CARGO NET, ONE CROSSBAR AND FOUR TIE DOWN RINGS
***DEALER INSTALLED***
C49 - ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
DJ2 - ISRVM LT SENSITIVE HOME CONV
DNR - DEALER INSTALLED EQUIPMENT
DR2 - MIRROR O/S LH & RH REMOTE CONT ELECTRIC,HEATED LT SENSITIVE, MANUAL FOLDING, COLOR
EB6 - GVW RATING 6,050 LBS
ERG - AUXILLARY GAUGE PACKAGE ***DEALER INSTALLED***
ERK - CARGO COMPARTMENT TRIM W/WOOD
E55 - TAILGATE BODY
FE9 - 50-STATE EMISSIONS
GT4 - REAR AXLE - 3.73 RATIO
G80 - LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL-REAR AXLE J
F8 - BRAKE VAC POWER, 4 WHL DISC
JJA - PT DRESS SUBASSEMBLY INSTALLED
KA1 - HEATED FRONT SEATS
KG3 - 145 AMP ALTERNATOR
K34 - ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL WITH RESUME SPEED
LM4 - VORTEC 5300 V-8 SFI ENGINE
M30 - 4-SPD AUTO TRANS W/ OVERDRIVE AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL
NF4 - FEDERAL EMISSIONS
NW7 - TRACTION ASSIST
N40 - POWER STEERING
OLF - PLANT CODE - LANSING, MI
PD7 - WHEEL, SPARE DELETE
PZ7 - WHEELS, 19X8 FRT, 20X10 RR
QMX - TIRE, ALL MIXED SIZES FRT & RR
SLM - STOCK ORDERS
STW - LEATHER WRAPPED STEERING WHEEL W/CONTROLS
T61 - DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS
T96 - FRONT FOG LAMPS
T98 - STAMPING VEHICLE IDENT NUMBER
UA6 - THEFT DETERRENT ALARM SYSTEM
UC6 - AM/FM RADIO,RDS,6 DISC CHANGER, AUTO TONE CONTROL, AND ETR (REPLACES STD/OPT PKG RADIO)
UQA - BOSE PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM
U68 - DRIVER INFO CENTER DISPLAY
U73 - FIXED MAST ANTENNA
VK3 - LICENSE PLATE FRAME: FRONT
VXS - COMPLETE VEHICLE LABEL
V73 - STATEMENT OF VEHICLE CERT.-U.S. /CANADA
WD0 - ID-PLATFORM CONTAINMENT VEHICLE
WD1 - PILOT VEHICLE
X88 - CHEVROLET CONVERSION
YC5 - LT DECOR
YD3 - BASE EQUIP FOR SCH GVW PL-FT AX
YD5 - BASE FRONT SPRING
YD6 - BASE REAR SPRING
ZQ8 - SPORT HANDLING PACKAGE
ZY1 - SOLID PAINT
Z82 - HEAVY DUTY TRAILERING EQUIPMENT
1SB - 1SB PREFERRED EQUIPMENT GROUP CONSISTS OF:
-ENGINE COVER INSERT
-MEMORY PACKAGE -SEATS,RADIO,DIC HEATED DRIVER & PASSENGER SEATS
-ELECTROCHROMIC MIRRORS: INSIDE REARVIEW & LEFT O/S REARVIEW
-HOMELINK AM/FM STEREO W/IN DASH 6 CD BOSE PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM
19I - BLACK INTERIOR TRIM
192 - EBONY
41U - SMOKIN ASPHALT
6DL - SUSPENSION 7DL - SUSPENSION
8KL - SUSPENSION
73P - STERLING SILVER WHEEL FINISH
__________________

[Maui Mike]

Wow, what a busy morning you've had gentlemen! Thank you for a very interesting read and I look forward to more!