Does any know how many Ultra Violet SSR's were made in O4. I have been told that only 25 were made in 03. The color was not always available as I understand. My dealer had a yellow on order when he saw the availability of Ultra Violet and changed the order. Lucky Me. We have had it since Sept. and love it.
Just got an update from a friend at GM. He said he is driving his new company car.
... I just got another SSR for the winter it is loaded with all the goodies. ... It's Slingshot Yellow. Yeah I forgot about the Indy Pace car also there is another one that went to Rick Mears... They are all Ultra Violet. Quality is really up but sales are way down.
If I have recorded the numbers correctly:
25 Signature Series
*1 Indy Pace Car
*1 Rick Wagoners *1 Rick Mears
28 = # 03 Ultra Violets
I do not recall the Rick Mears vehicle being Ultra. Of the 27, the first 5 were painted in like prototypes as was the Indy Pace. The remainder were painted at the Craft Centre during early production runs. The paint was exactly the same as the '04 Ultra paint.
My father has a 04 purple. He has had it for about a year now. I think I have him talked into doing heads/cam/headers on it this winter. Should be an interesting, semi rare car. Kaley
I believe that the #'s quoted r correct @28 but I was told that they were ALL hand painted as opposed 2 robopaint. Also, I was told that they applied additional coats of clear with wet sanding btween coats. :thumbs
The 04's were painted via Robbie the Robot during production.
I wanted to share a little more info that might help clarify or enhance our knowledge of the 03's that were built. Here is some more bits from one of my emails that I had received from a GM friend that was at the SSR location back then.
... "there are 25 03MY (model year) violet signature series SSR's they have real vins but were built prior to saleable. It was real nightmare due to the reworks. My name is on #25. Rick does not have a GM custom paint job it was done on his own nickel elsewhere outside of GM. Ricks is indeed a signiture series outside."
... "there are 25 03MY (model year) violet signature series SSR's they have real vins but were built prior to saleable. It was real nightmare due to the reworks. My name is on #25. Rick does not have a GM custom paint job it was done on his own nickel elsewhere outside of GM. Ricks is indeed a signiture series outside."
Question....whaddya mean "reworks"? Also, were they really painted by hand or robots? And what do u mean by "Ricks is indeed a signiture series outside."?
I would recommend picking up a copy of the book "SSR - An American Original" Grrrreat reading, and a lot of very interesting information. The book describes the "Signature" project extensively. The reworking meant bringing them back in to get any changes and updates being done prior to the start of regular production. Lots of changes were done, including a fairly extensive electrical rewiring.
I'm taking my copy with me to SEMA - just in case any of the GM execs involved happen to be at the show - would love to get their signatures. Based on reading the book, it's a flippin miracle that this gem ever made it to production, and pretty much because the men at the top wanted it. The usual financial logic was pushed to the side - we're very lucky to have it.
I received another email ... hope that it might enlighten more of us out there a little bit more ... it sure did me! :thumbs
"I can’t recall if Rick’s is one of the 25 or not, it maybe number 21 seem to recall we swapped one of the units. All of the signature series were painted at the plant with a combination of robotics and non-robotics, as are all SSR’s. These units were so early that any issues found later were applied to these units for instance they all got new roofs, tonneau and bed covers, anti itch patches, they all had engine chuff which we fixed, new window and roof seals, they got the stone guard on the rear quarter versus the clear tape on them when shipped, some got new engines and trans (I won’t tell you why), door linkage foam for rattle, lots and lots of the basic issues we shake out before we ever shipped to commerce. I have no clue what wiring changes other than the roof wiring. No other wiring was changed on these units to my knowledge until 05MY, that is due to Corp new standards. I didn’t buy the book because I reviewed and found that for the most part the participants were detached from what really happened. Kind of like the General Patton talking about front line combat when he was never in front line combat. There was more propaganda and fluff than substance. Rick Wagoner said build it and we did with the proviso we still meet business plan and budget that is why it is smaller than the one first shown at car shows in 2000..."
regards
I am glad that I have an opportunity to receive these emails... I still think that the book is a great piece. It is a MUST HAVE for any SSR owner.
It appears now after further review... Rick Mears SSR was one of the original 25 and even with an exchange of one of the SSRs the number 27 seems to be the correct total number of 03s that were made with the UltraViolet color. There certainly was a lot of rework done to those units for sure. However, I for one am very glad they made them despite the many start up issues that were encountered.
The book is great and the information was reviewed by the primary participants for accuracy. Gary is an outstanding auto journalist and he owns an SSR himself. The first 5 Signature Series were not painted in the plant because the plant was not running when we built them.
I want to say I certainly appreciate that you give us all here your open and very informed knowledge. Like I have mentioned previously it is so hard to differentiate from all the sources and information that one receives. I know that even within my own plant I can talk to a half dozen people and get similar but different answers to why things happen and what really happened. Sometimes it is in the eyes of the beholder and their state of mind at that time.
Again, thank you for your continued support and for providing us all here with your feedback and knowledge. :thumbs
I want to say I certainly appreciate that you give us all here your open and very informed knowledge. Like I have mentioned previously it is so hard to differentiate from all the sources and information that one receives. I know that even within my own plant I can talk to a half dozen people and get similar but different answers to why things happen and what really happened. Sometimes it is in the eyes of the beholder and their state of mind at that time.
Again, thank you for your continued support and for providing us all here with your feedback and knowledge. :thumbs
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Last week I was sitting in a Denny's with my R in the lot when I was approached by Ken Feicht who lives in my town Tavares Fl. and has a SSR. In a quick discussion I found he was familiar with most of the key and knowledgeable members of the forum. He was very personable and offered expertise in...
I was watching Bitchin Rides the other day and they were tricking out a 53 Chevy pickup. When they got done it looked a lot like an SSR with one exception. The split windshield. Pulled up a pic off the internet and added a thin blue line. What do you think?
fltsfshr
Got our genuine embroidered dash pad from Dicktator installed today.
Top quality embroidery work, these are the good ones, not the thin swap meet stuff!.....Fits great, looks great!
Thanks Dick
Don and Anne J
Organizing a Meet and Greet on April 18th to Patti's 1880 settlement in Grand Rivers Kentucky. Nothing special just hang out, tour the town, have a 1 inch famous Patti's pork chop and the ladies can go shopping. 30 min away is the Bison and Elk preserve. Rooms at the Patti's Inn and suite are...
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