Chevrolet SS: The Last of Its Kind—and a Performance Bargain
One could argue that two of the best “if you know, you know” cars of the 2010s were products of General Motors. Interestingly, these ultimate sleepers were fashioned in rapid succession by the final remnants of “Old GM” and the new guard of “current GM.” After retiring what’s arguably Bob Lutz’ greatest hit, the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon, a 556-horse Nürburgring slayer that has since become a cult classic, the fresh-faced brass of The Renaissance Center wasted no time in taking a page out of the Maximum Bob playbook to cook up its own under-the-radar jewel, what later became the Chevrolet SS.
In a mid-aughts last-ditch effort to revitalize Pontiac, Lutz spurred GM to start importing and rebadging rear-wheel-drive Australian muscle cars. Unfortunately, the economic downturn that closed out the decade with a gut punch to the automotive sector cut those plans short. Pontiac was shuttered in 2009, and along with it, the greatest of these wild Australian tire-shredding “Pontiacs,” the VE-generation Holden Commodore-based, LS3-powered G8 GXP, was lost to the North American market after one short model year.
Almost immediately after the big GXP’s demise, the gossip mill started churning out rumors of its return, though this time it was to wear a Bow Tie in place of its native Lion or briefly adopted Pontiac “Dart.” The rumors were right: It’d take some time, but the Chevrolet SS was on its way.
Post-bankruptcy, a more financially sorted General was ready to make good, this time using the updated 2014 “VF” Commodore. The Zeta platform that underpinned the VE was revamped for this next generation, becoming both lighter and stiffer in the process.
Chevy debuted the somewhat confusingly named SS at the 2013 Daytona 500, and announced that the nameplate would take the baton from the Impala for Chevy’s NASCAR efforts. The association with NASCAR made sense—in the SS, Chevy once again had a thumping big, rear-wheel drive, V-8-powered sedan.
The 2014 model year saw the SS and its 415-horse 6.2-liter engine arrive in showrooms. Its Australian lineage was apparent in the overall design, but a lot had changed since the G8. Electronics and interior materials were thoroughly upgraded, and an impressive list of standard equipment filled the one fully loaded trim level. The spec sheet included a color head-up display, heated and ventilated 10-way power-adjustable sport seats, reverse camera, and parking sensors. The only options were a full-size spare and a sunroof.
Conspicuously absent from the 2014 cars, though, was the ability to row your own gears. That was cured the next model year with the addition of a six-speed manual as a no-cost option. That wasn’t the only thing Chevy’s engineers added to the list—Brembo calipers and GM’s excellent Magnetorheological dampers were now available as well. Continued tinkering brought dual-mode exhaust, LED running lights, a set of de-chromed wheels, and functional hood vents to the party in 2016. The SS’ final year, 2017, added several new colors.
Other than “outstanding to drive” (so much so that it earned numerous favorable in-period comparisons to the all-time sport sedan benchmark BMW E39 M5), and perhaps “difficult to differentiate from a Hertz-spec Malibu,” the expression most closely associated with the four-door SS was “value.” The only family-friendly car available with the holy grail naturally aspirated V-8, three-pedal, rear-wheel drive combination started life around $45,000 in 2014 and never wandered north of $50k before falling casualty to Detroit’s retreat from Down Under in 2017.
When the sun set on the SS after gifting the U.S. with an improved four-year do-over of that sweet GXP goodness, nobody called the 12,924-unit run a sales success—Dodge moved 374,285 Chargers in the same window. But for those in the know, the Australian-American Q-ship was as irreplaceable as the smile it plastered on their respective faces while going undetected by law enforcement.
Resale values immediately reflected the SS’ cult status, too. Early on, drivers could put a healthy dose of mileage on one without taking a penny off of its MSRP on the secondhand market. During the boom of 2021, when other recently-retired low-production analog domestic heroes were setting records, an under-enjoyed SS Sedan sold for more than $64K, but by and large, they’ve been the model of consistency, hovering between 40 grand and around 55 “boxes of ziti” for an exceptional specimen.
Hagerty valuation data for the SS bear this out. Given the car’s limited production, stellar reputation, and small but ardent following, it’s tough to find a “cheap” SS. Cars that are solid drivers but need a little care (#4 “good” condition) are valued in the mid-20K range, but the SS is an instance where most owners actually do know what they’ve got, and therefore keep their cars in better-than-good condition.
And then, of course, there is the top of the SS market. The 2015-17 cars are worth more because of their additional performance options, with the final model year coming in at the top of the heap. A 2017 SS in #1 (concours) condition is valued at $55,400 in the Hagerty Price Guide, but if you add the 15 percent premium that manual-equipped cars commmand, that number swells to $63,710.
A concours-quality car of any kind is a rarity—this rating represents better-than-new condition—so it’s not a regular occurrence (aside from superheated markets like the one we saw three year ago) that a car tests that value. But one recent listing of an SS caught our eye for that very reason—Monroe, Washington’s aptly named Speedway Chevrolet listed a final-year SS with just 945 miles for $62,995. A mere four days after posting, the car was no longer in their online inventory, so an SS afficiando may well have paid up to have one of the lowest-mile, cleanest examples in existence. We’re unable to verify the sales price of a private transaction so this won’t factor into Hagerty’s data, but it does stand as a noteworthy marker for the general health of the SS market.
This car’s highly desirable specification deserves an assist in the stat sheet. Out of the 2645 total manual SSs brought to our shores between ’15 and ’17 (that figure represents 20.5 percent of overall production; for the 2017 model year, 32.7 percent were manuals), this example was one of 735 (302 in ’17) painted Phantom Black. That put it in the enviable position of wearing the most popular color in its select group of enthusiast specials. Top it all off with the sunroof option that was selected by 87% of all SS customers, and you’ve got a rare but popularly specced—as opposed to the less boast-worthy “rare because nobody wanted one like it”—slice of the SS pie.
Speaking of popularity, the SS is an intergenerational hit. Millennials make up the largest share of SS buyers seeking qoutes from Hagerty at 37.5 percent, while Gen X and boomers follow with 29.5 percent and 21.9 percent, respectively. Interest from Gen Z is on the rise, too, up nearly eight percentage points in just two years.
It’s not particularly surprising to see stable prices in the meat of the SS market, along with healthy asking prices and sales of superior examples. Unless longshots happen, like GM giving the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing an LT2 V-8, Toyota granting the IS500 access to the Supra’s manual transmission, or the mythical Mustang sedan comes to fruition with a manual, Chevy’s SS will stand as the last of its most excellent breed.
I keep an eye on these and basically never see one for under $40K which seems bonkers even with its exclusivity 😳
Same here; this article won’t help either !
Count me among those who just don’t “get it”. In my eyes – generic styling and nothing that you can’t get new for about the same price.
It’s nothing spectacular to look at (part of its charm avoiding attention, especially from law enforcement), but it’s the complete package to drive – fast, great handling with the magnetic ride, wonderful brakes, and seats 5 comfortably. It’s one of the few cars that I’ve ever driven that feels and drives smaller than it is.
Exactly this. The ultimate sleeper/daily driver for very little money when new. I even got a few grand off mine at the dealer when I got it new. The handling was amazing and the car could really move, too. Just a ton of fun for the money.
What will you buy new that is like this, anywhere near the price (except maybe a leftover 2023 Charger Scat Pack)? Nothing, to my knowledge – not if you want a V8.
And not a Charger if you prefer three pedals.
Don’t know what to tell you other than one of the last full-size sedans with RWD, 415hp V8, available with a manual transmission. It’s the type of car that people say they want but don’t buy. The Chevy SS is highly significant and a (fairly) well-kept secret (SS what?) all at the same time. One drive in one — assuming you’re a car enthusiast of any kind — will surely change your mind.
What can you get new for around $40k that has RWD, V8 (or at least 400+ HP), manual transmission, and 4 doors with a full size back seat and trunk?
Where can I get a new performance sedan with a naturally aspirated V8, a six speed manual transmission, forged wheels, Brembo brakes, magride, track mode, torque vectoring, and launch control for under $50K?
The BMW 3-series and 5-series models are in the same mold. They have very conservative styling, yet have remained popular, mostly on their past reputation rather than current goodness.
Personally, I like the looks of the Chevy SS. Classic and understated unlike the overly folded, creased origami mess of many of the current Japanese and Korean cars.
And the SS was an outstanding performance and handling car!
If i had not been a BMW owner and fan since the early 70s I would seriously look for one of these Chevy SS sedans. No doubt just as nice and powerful as a BMW M5 but hugely less money. This is the first time I had any knowledge of this Chevy model. Thanks for posting.
You should check one out. It’s sometimes referred to as “an M5 without the repair bills”. LOL.
I looked at one of these but could never find exactly what I wanted and I had my eyes on a Lexus IS F as it had a high revving 5.0 V8 with 416hp and weighed just a little bit less. I ultimately went Lexus IS 500. If the manual isn’t important it’s a better alternative but the Chevy SS is a great car. Too bad GM killed Holden. They made cars I would have purchased but they never sold here except for the rare ones like the SS, G8 or GTO.
I picked up a 2009 PontiacG8GT off lease end of 2011. It’s in Arrest Me Red (Hot Red) has a slick roof and is an automatic. It also has the “leather from plastic cows” in a red black combination inside, along with Auto Meter gauges and a 6 disc C/D player. Remember those?
Over the years it has acquired 19″ wheels with 225/35 and 285/30 tires over gen two CTS-V brakes, Koni dampers, Eibach spring, BMR anti-roll bars and frame reinforcement bars.
It now runs a Solo exhaust and a plug in DOD defeat.
The L76 has a VariRam intake, a twin oil filter and some Holley rocker covers.
Finally the exterior has a front splitter, attractive taillights and Holden and HSV badges. The Pontiac front end and hood looks better than the SS in my opinion so I put carbon fibre over the V.
We have far too many cars, they’re like kittens, they follow me home, and this one attracts the most attention and purchase offers.
I remember my father every time I drive it. He had a fascination for Oldsmobile’s with 425 or 455 engines. This included a ’71 442 W30, witch ran on regular as real gas was not available in Canada. That car is still on the road! Cruises at 2500RPM in top gear which is 100MPH and holds the beer coffin (90 cans of MGD and ice}. The perfect distance eater. If it needed more power Pro Charger have a kit for less that building the engine, plus you don’t have to pull the engine.
It does have a few faults, the front seats, the window and door lock controls on the console(GM bean counters) and the automatic transmission. In “Sport Mode” it heads for 6th ASAP. Pulling away from a light and turning right it’s in third before you can get on the gas. In manual upshifts are forward and after all the years I’ve given up and if it bothered me enough I’m sure a reverse valve body and a shift kit would solve all my complaints.
I’ll never part with it.
There are so many vehicles that have the SS badges and grilles put on them that it just doesn’t mean that much to call a car an SS. it’s the same thing with the GTO’os .
Somewhat true for the SS nameplate, but this car really fills the bill – unlike, say, a 4-door Cobalt with under 200 HP. Not really true for the GTO nameplate, when considered in light of the state of performance cars in 1973 and 1974 – they were still decent performers for that era.
Arguably one of the best of these was the 1970 Chevelle SS LS6. A beast of a car, boasting 450HP and 500 lb-ft of torque. That said, it couldn’t turn, couldn’t stop, got about 8mpg and did the quarter mile in 13.1 seconds. The Chevy SS on the other hand with it’s meager 415/415 power numbers, weighs more than the Chevelle, turns nearly 1.0g on the skidpad with factory rubber, beat a comparably equipped Charger Hellcat with roughly 300 more horsepower at the Streets of Willow, and beat the vaunted LS6 Chevelle’s 1/4 mile time right out of the box at 12.9 seconds. Now throw in the updated everything, and you will find this to be exactly what this article spells out. It is an unknown gem, one of the finest performance sedans made, and the last of it’s kind.
There may be plenty of SS badged Chevy’s that looked cooler, but you would be hard pressed to find one that did it any better, any safer, or more comfortably. If you know, you know.
Don’t forget that the 1970 HP figures were GROSS, not NET, so the SS with the LS in it made more NET HP in a lighter package. Nowhere near the style of a 1970 Chevelle SS, but would probably beat it at the drag strip and would surely kill it in the twisties.
The SS with the LS is actually heavier at nearly 4000 pounds.
If Chevy had offered it with less, had it cost less, added a taller rear spoiler and a # 88 ‘Junior’ decal package it probably would have sold better.
I have always said, all GM needed to do was call it the “Chevelle SS”. GM could have still done virtually no marketing and advertising of the car, but word of mouth alone would have spread like wild fire. People would have flocked to Chevy dealers…did you hear? Chevy brought back the Chevelle.
It would have cost GM nothing to name it Chevelle SS. They surely still own the copyright to the name.
Forget the SS. I still mourn the demise of Pontiac and their plans to build a pickup based on the G8 much like the El Camino. Corvette engine with a three pedal available. I had a 1973 El Camino SS I bought new when I was 19 while waiting for insurance clearance on what ended up being a new 1975 Corvette. Both were the worst of their breeds but I was ready with cash in hand should Pontiac build a combination of the two based on the G8. I even entered a contest to name it “G8tor.” A play on it’s Australian roots, gator (I know an alligator is not a crocodile, give me a break), it has a tailgate as in gater, and it was built on the G8 platform, G8tor. It was not meant to be and I have to make due with a 1/64 Hotwheels diecast car.
Indeed – I was eagerly awaiting the “ST”, also.
What you are referring to is known as a Ute. They are highly popular in the Holden community. There are a few very rare examples in the US in both left and right-hand drive.
We had a Holden Ute six-speed in LHD at a car show I was staffing. Incredibly appealing. The owner told me it was fully US certified; based on the same platform as the SS, the process was supposedly a breeze. He said he bought it as-is from a distributor who did several of them, saving him the hassle of Customs and certification paperwork. I didn’t ask what it cost but it was a show literally crawling with McLarens, Ferraris and similar exotics. If you have to ask, you can’t afford it…
Just FYI-there’s a place out in Denver that says they do US certified Holden Ute conversions. I Googled “US certified Holden Ute” and found it.
I, too, bought a 73 El Camino SS, last year of college. 454, positraction, “turbine” wheels, and the way-cool swivel bucket seats. Used it to haul my dirt bikes. Had to sell it when my mother came to visit. Needed room for her and my bride. Biggest mistake I ever made, next to marrying that woman.
It may be an SS on the inside, but just like every other car since the death of their glory days, it looks like the car your mom shuttles you to soccer practice in on the outside.
It’s called a SLEEPER.
Was there a police version of this car?
I believe the body style before this SS was sold as a Caprice police vehicle. I have never seen this one as a police car.
The Caprice PPV was the same platform but long wheelbase (118.5 inch) same as the ute. Whereas in Australia and other export markets the Caprice was the luxury end of the market, for the USA it was a full vinyl package not offered elsewhere, with steel rims and some other oddities, like column auto (why have we forsaken column auto btw).
In Australia the police vehicles were Commodores, utes for general duties or divisional (divvy vans), stations wagons and for pursuit sedans pretty much the same spec as the Chev SS. Now the poor buggers have BMW diesels 🙁
The final Caprice 9C1 package ran from 2012 through 2017. The Illinois State Police bought a ton of them early on but ran into problems with upfitting (special police equipment like consoles, partitions, etc was not widely available) and repair parts availability. I heard rumblings of reliability issues but a friend whose department ran several of them debunked that rumor.
A quick online search shows several of them available in the Chicago area, ranging from $13-29K.
Just FYI, that series of Caprice 9C1 was available with a V6, so not all of them are sleeper performance cars.
The only ones I ever saw in the time range they were made were police cars. I spoke to several police and they said how much better it was than the Crown Vic. I can imagine. Since then, I’ve seen maybe 3 in the last 5 years.I wonder what happened to those police units?
The Illinois State Police still uses a few; in fact, I saw one Sunday. As I recall, their platforms were very similar to the SS, but with a longer wheelbase.
Yes. See ’em plenty of times here in CA.
I own a “Hey man, WTF is that?” LOL.. The best Chevrolet, Chevy never built. The Holden Commodore VF ( Chevy SS ). I own a 2015 Chevy SS rebadged as a Holden Commodore and I must say, it’s the best sleeper ever. Still holds its value, a complete blast to drive, very dependable. Just cruise or competition, this car is very capable and does everything you want it to do and ask for more.
No ! The 93 Z 28 with Y56 six speed combine low prophile and favorable power to weight ratio was
the best.
In the lead photo, what happened to the front fender behind the wheel well. Looks like poorly airbrushed (or repaired) damage.
The same basic car was also sold as the Caprice PPV, so if you can out up with more basic trim and some wear and tear you can get a retired police car much cheaper and fix it up to suit
As I posted above, not all Caprice 9C1cars were V8s. Buyer beware.
It’s a re-badged Holden, not a Chevrolet.
Rebadged…meaning it is a Chevrolet.
another GM failure. Just like the Camaro. HHR etc.
Please explain how any of those were really failures. SS? Great performance sedan. Camaro? With the right options, an outstanding performance car. HHR? In turbocharged SS form, a good performance vehicle, and in all forms, a decent sales success in general.
Haha the Camaro when optioned. Too funny. GM/Camaros main customers were women. The bread and butter were the intake leaking V6 and monster 305. Wow! Now if you knew someone that knew someone you might get something better. There may be a few out there but come on. Do you think GM would sell a car to outperform its flagship Corvette? Not going to happen.
The turbo HHR was a tank. It was heavy. It was a recall nightmare. The Colbalt was NO SRT4. It just couldn’t hang. Turbo issues. Then the ignition switch would shut off. GM had the tuner market before there was one with the Quad 4 engine. Hmmm can’t correct the head gasket issues. Ok we will stop making it.
The SS/Holden above might be a sleeper if one considers falling asleep looking at it. I can see why only a little more than 2000 were sold. Yeah! I want a rear wheel drive car that looks like a front wheel drive but has a V8. The main interest and money paid is from boomers that still live the Old GM. Hey guys, The logo has changed. Maybe you didn’t get Mary’s memo. GM is the EV leader now!
I didn’t know Fiat gapped sales that much with the tired but true Challenger. Pretty amazing.
It is always the guys that could not afford an SS that criticize it for its looks. Hence the BOOMER reference. I wake up every time I see mine and it was nearly 13 THOUSAND sold, not 2.