Rare Chevrolet 454 SS Half-Ton Pick-Up From The Early '90s

   

Summary

Production: Only around 17,000 Chevy 454 SS trucks were produced between 1990 and 1993.

Big-Block Power: The 454 SS was the only way to get a factory 454-cu.-in. big-block in a half-ton Chevy pickup.

Performance: While it isn't a match for today's performance vehicles, the 454 SS delivered plenty of old-school muscle.

Hot-Rod Potential: Its truck platform makes it easy to customize with upgrades like a Cowl Induction hood, lowering springs, and aftermarket wheels.

Competition: The 454 SS went up against performance trucks like the GMC Syclone, GMC Typhoon, and Ford Lightning.

Collector Appeal: With relatively low production numbers and classic Chevy styling, these trucks have plenty of potential for collectors and old-school gearheads.

With only 17,000 produced between 1990 and 1993, these Chevy 454 SS trucks are some of the rarest Chevrolet C1500s of the '90s. In fact, purchasing one of these badasses was the only way you could get a 454-cu.-in. big-block stock in a half-ton truck.

There is nothing really too special about these trucks. Let's face it: in this day and age, a higher-trim crossover could probably take it off the line and beat it down the quarter-mile. But the 454 SS was outfitted for a big-block, meaning a healthier 454 could be built and dropped in with no problem.

Also, it's a truck, and you can always do some cool stuff to a truck. A Cowl Induction hood, lowering springs, rims, etc.—with the right imagination, you can turn a 454 SS truck into a showstopper without hurting its original value.

Power and Specifications

• 230–255 horsepower

• 385–405 lb.-ft. of torque

• HD 4-speed automatic transmission

• 3.73:1–4.10 rear-end ratio

• 10 mpg city

• 500 lbs. max payload

• Dual exhaust

• Bilstein shocks

• 7.7-second 0–60 mph

• 15.9 seconds at 87 mph — 1/4 mile

• Colors: Black / Summit White / Victory Red

The Chevy 454 SS trucks had some serious competition in the early '90s—the GMC Cyclone, Typhoon, and the Ford Lightning. But for Chevy, this was their way of showing everyone that people still craved a big-block, even if it wasn't the fastest truck on the market.

You might come across one of these sweet Chevys for sale with a nice price tag on it. They are not very sought-after by vehicle collectors right now, so if you find one in good shape, it might not be a bad investment. They have the potential to be nice little street cruisers with a lot of old-school power. And for you old-school gearheads, that might be a class you'd fit right into.