[GrumpyRick]

Hi there. Names Grumpy Rick, and I earned that title years ago, when it was bestowed on me by fellow workers. I am in SoCal, and leaning heavily towards buying my first SSR. I have been lifelong car guy owning probably 200 cars, many of which I bought cheap and fixed up to sell as an extra source of income. My first NEW car was a '65 GTO that I bought brand new for $3,000. Since then I have had many hot rods, dune buggies, a Jeep, several Corvettes and three '55 'T-Birds

Last year I gave my '30 Model A with a Chevy V-6 to my son. Right now I have an '03 Mustang GT Convertible, an 05 T-Bird, '55 T-Bird,'56 Ford Victoria, and a couple normal cars. I am getting older and thinning the herd slowly. The '55 T-Bird is next to go to the son and grandson.

As I say, getting older. My herd thinning is mostly because I can hardly get myself in the really low slung cars, so I don't drive them much. I am tall and big, and I simply cannot get in the '55 when the top is on it, I just don't bend that much any more. Which brings me to the SSR. I had seen them obviously, but never up close. One is at a car lot near me and I went over to look at it and was surprised at how tall it was compared to the Corvette of the same age. Story short, I could actually sit right down in it like a normal car, and once in, found it close but comfortable. I could live with this for a while, it had at least 4" of head room.

It's a Mini Truck, Corvette, hot rod-ish, retro flip-top convertible!! After that revelation, I started looking at YouTube videos, and magazine articles, and am now starting my search for the right one. I am leaning toward a yellow or red '05 or '06 automatic trans, with fairly low mileage, and in very nice condition.

Sorry, long winded for a first post.

 

[shakatak]

Welcome, and good luck in your search to find the right SSR.

Nice T-Bird and Vic.

I'm in the So Cal area, so if you have any questions or want an extra set of eyes to look at an SSR, just let me know.

 

[TXNSSR]

Welcome to the forum. The Rs are unique and out there. I wouldn’t get too hung up on low low mileage, as letting them sit has its own set of issues. There are plenty of examples out there to be bought. Flying out to buy and driving them back home is pretty common. Picking one up listed for sale on this forum usually means it is well cared for and had the maintenance/upgrades done.

Side note - I’m originally from So Cal, and have driven home a few times. My friends had never seen one in person until mine and now they see them somewhat regularly.

 

[Cruzrr66]

@GrumpyRick, saying you're "a car guy" is a huge understatement! You definitely have had and have a wonderful collecting, some of which others have only dreamed of. Welcome to this group and I agree with @TXNSSR, don't sweat the miles. These babies have been known to reach 300K+!

 

[Stlhotrod]

Welcome to the group. Your post makes me smile. There are a lot of people here similar to your self. Grumpy old guys. With your list of cars you have been around the block a few times for sure so you will understand my post.

The SSR is a lot like many other special cars, most things have been done already and there is a lot of help out there if you want it. The trucks are fun to drive, they handle well, if you drive them sensibly they get decent mileage. If you like attention they attract that as well. You can find events with others or you can go out and enjoy your truck on your time as well. Be prepared to wave and talk to people because these trucks draw in others with questions. My favorite thing about them versus other cars is you seldom get the my _ had one just like it only theirs had a different engine, color, what ever that car guys always get pulled into.
There is a lot of help if you want it and a lot of things to tinker with and upgrade also. Most car guys like to change things to their liking and these have plenty you can do. So figure out what color you want and start the search. I will also say that sometimes the trip to go get it can be a great part of the enjoyment you will have with an SSR.I have gone to CA to get one and another from AZ. both trips are memories I enjoyed.

 

[nj6969]

@GrumpyRick, as stated, don't get hung up on low milage. We bought my '06 in 2014 with 22,000 and Kathy's '04 in 2014 with 99,500 miles. Be sure and look at the "SSR's For Sale" thread on this site since they have been cared for by Fanatics and might already have upgrades done to them.---SSRs for Sale. Meantime---Welcome from Forney Texas. GO AHEAD AND, Consider clicking on the Colored Letter/Picture, top far right corner, go down to "Account Settings", click, and fill in your information. Especially your LOCATION and the year of your SSR, when you get it, like the rest of us. Then go the the left side and click on "Signature". Also put the year of your SSR, when you get it, in your "Signature", and anything else you want to show in your posts, and we can help you better if you have a problem. When you finish click the "SAVE" box.

Click here for the "How To Library" OneDrive

Also click on this link and go to Post #1 Help Us Help You---UPDATE

Then go to the "New Member Section" and introduce yourself. New Member Section

Click here for parts, help and tips--Simple Engineering, LLC – Chevy SSR Aftermarket Parts, Accessories and Repair Solutions


Owner Pinmap locate other owners and let them locate you. Go to last page to add your information.

How to navigate our Site FAQ

Nick & Kathy

 

[Krazy Ed]

Welcome from Canada! 🍺 good luck on your quest to find the right one for you.
then you will be ready for the permagrin!

 

[James Dean]

Welcome From Western Pa!!!!!!!! Good luck with your search.

 

[DOOPHUS]

WELCOME, Grumpy . . . from Southern Arizona. LOVE THE NAME !

Good Luck on your search for the perfect SSR.

! ! 👍 ! ! 👍 ! !

 

[Bowties4us]

@GrumpyRick,
Welcome to the forum from NE Maryland! You have come to the right place for all things related to the care and feeding of SSRs!😁

Nice collection of current and former cars! Love the 56 Vic and the T-Birds! Always wanted a 55-57 T-Bird but never happened. My first car was a 56 Custom, followed by two birds, a 59 hard top, then a 60 convertible. I traded the convertible for a 59 Skyliner Retractable HT. Sold it to buy a 57 Nomad and swore I'd never buy a retractable again.
Yet here I am 45+ years and about 50 vehicles later, the proud owner of a Chevy SSR Retractable! It checks all the boxes, as you mentioned.

As you can guess, many of us are car guys too, though you may have the record for numbers owned. My "working hobby" has been like yours, buy cheap, fix mechanics, shine em up, sell when offers get tempting. (Or need the space for next project). When you find the one you want, I'm sure you have the KSA (knowledge, skills, abilities) to get-keep it on the road, and I'm sure you'll have how-to tips to share with us Fanatics! As others have mentioned above don't hesitate to tap the experts here on the forum, before or afterpurchase.

Sidenote: Yes, the SSR is a joy getting in and out of compared to many others most of us have owned. I loved my C4 Vett but darn that was a chore getting in and out of, wife hated it. The SSR sits just right, even the lowered versions, top up or down.

 

[soren703]

Welcome to the forum from Central Florida home of Rgang. Hope you find the right SSR for you.

 

[Mr Met]

Welcome from Central PA (Enola). There are several of us here that have migrated from a Corvette to an SSR when climbing out of the Corvette became problematic. We've never looked back. This Forum has great fellowship, as well as access to some very talented technical gurus who willingly assist with upkeep and maintenance of these trucks. Find the SSR that's right for you, and enjoy!

 

[TerryH]

Welcome.
I'm another SoCal member, that bought an '05 new that I kept for several years, then rejoined last year with the purchase of my '06.
If you're close and would like to check mine out and learn more before you buy, just send me PM.

 

[GrumpyRick]

Thanks for the warm welcome folks.

To answer a few comments.....Yup, I am familiar with super low mileage cars and their problems. My '05 T-Bird has 10K miles on it and had a few of those lack of use problems. I have owned the '03 Mustang GT since it was 6 months old, and it now has 30K on it, mostly from trips like Route 66 and such. I plan to drive the SSR a lot more than the older cars. A really good point made by several is about finding a car here with improvements already made. I just looked through the for sale list, and the Red one from Fla interests me a lot. To bad I cannot answer it, and ask for more pics, but apparently I need to make some posts before I can do that..

Hard to do, not having an SSR to talk about, but I suppose I could bore you with stories about other car experiences if I have to.

 

[Stlhotrod]

Thanks for the warm welcome folks.

To answer a few comments.....Yup, I am familiar with super low mileage cars and their problems. My '05 T-Bird has 10K miles on it and had a few of those lack of use problems. I have owned the '03 Mustang GT since it was 6 months old, and it now has 30K on it, mostly from trips like Route 66 and such. I plan to drive the SSR a lot more than the older cars. A really good point made by several is about finding a car here with improvements already made. I just looked through the for sale list, and the Red one from Fla interests me a lot. To bad I cannot answer it, and ask for more pics, but apparently I need to make some posts before I can do that..

Hard to do, not having an SSR to talk about, but I suppose I could bore you with stories about other car experiences if I have to.

There are work arounds to everything. What I can do is send the owner of the red one in Fla a message to contact you. Then you can converse with him directly in a private message. Also to up post counts you can reply to things like birthday threads and just wish them a happy birth day to get the post count up as well.
I will send that owner in Fla a note now for you.

 

[dave rasmussen]

Hi there. Names Grumpy Rick, and I earned that title years ago, when it was bestowed on me by fellow workers. I am in SoCal, and leaning heavily towards buying my first SSR. I have been lifelong car guy owning probably 200 cars, many of which I bought cheap and fixed up to sell as an extra source of income. My first NEW car was a '65 GTO that I bought brand new for $3,000. Since then I have had many hot rods, dune buggies, a Jeep, several Corvettes and three '55 'T-Birds

Last year I gave my '30 Model A with a Chevy V-6 to my son. Right now I have an '03 Mustang GT Convertible, an 05 T-Bird, '55 T-Bird,'56 Ford Victoria, and a couple normal cars. I am getting older and thinning the herd slowly. The '55 T-Bird is next to go to the son and grandson.

As I say, getting older. My herd thinning is mostly because I can hardly get myself in the really low slung cars, so I don't drive them much. I am tall and big, and I simply cannot get in the '55 when the top is on it, I just don't bend that much any more. Which brings me to the SSR. I had seen them obviously, but never up close. One is at a car lot near me and I went over to look at it and was surprised at how tall it was compared to the Corvette of the same age. Story short, I could actually sit right down in it like a normal car, and once in, found it close but comfortable. I could live with this for a while, it had at least 4" of head room.

It's a Mini Truck, Corvette, hot rod-ish, retro flip-top convertible!! After that revelation, I started looking at YouTube videos, and magazine articles, and am now starting my search for the right one. I am leaning toward a yellow or red '05 or '06 automatic trans, with fairly low mileage, and in very nice condition.

Sorry, long winded for a first post. View attachment 630252 View attachment 630253

I have a '55 T - bird. It will be a good barn find for someone someday. I also had a 55 Ford sedan. Both were/are good solid cars. Drove the sedan to high school and T-bird to college for three years and then a 65 Mustang 2+2.

 

[DeepBlueScuba]

Welcome from Port Aransas, Texas

 

[glendale_jim]

Welcome from another SoCal Fanatic!
I bought mine exactly two years ago and only wish I could drive it more. No excuses, especially living so close to the coast. Planning to attend the International Rally in Flagstaff this September, and caravan out with a few other West Coasties. Feel free to PM me any time.

 

[Firetruck]

Helloooo from Cincinnati and the Buckeye Guys! Here's my other one too....

 

[HUAW]

Thunder and I welcome you from Ohio! Looks like you have had many cool rides through the years and not only is the SSR easy to enter and exit, it will certainly give you what we call a "PermaGrin!" 😁

The SSR brought us all together but the Fanatic Family is what keeps growing stronger! I have some of the best friends from across the country because of this forum and our cool little roadster! 😎

Hope you find the perfect truck for you and become a full fledged Fanatic! I see you are looking at a red one but our Pacific Blue is gorgeous! Not many to be found as it's the lowest production solid color at 532 trucks. Of course, I'm partial as I've been a "Blues Brother" 3 different times but Thunder is my keeper. It's my one and only cool vehicle! 😉