Chevrolet's SSR on Manhattan Beach

Find your niche in life, a wise man once said, and Chevrolet has found its niche exceptionally well with its radical SSR. 

Still a head-turner several years after its release, and a virtual rarity, too,  I took Chevrolet's test-car SSR to Manhattan Beach last week to test out its flat-bed carrying ability with a surfboard or two in the back, and, of course, its head-turning ability among surfers, the more financially secure of whom may be able to afford one as a weekend run-about.

Never selling more than its Lansing facility can produce, or under  1,000 units annually, the curvaceous two-seater SSR hard-top/convertible with mini-flatbed is an example of one-hit, one-of-a-kind marketing  that, like its outsize rear wheels, has gained serious traction in enthusiast circles.

And this car is maybe best suited as a weekend activity, as driving this fun-machine full-time could get waring, for reasons that will become clear.  But as a  fun purchase, albeit at over $45,000 on the road with add-ons, the SSR proved difficult to beat.

Boasting an exhaust burble akin to its elder-sister model Corvette, and with looks that blow even the Chrysler's PT Cruiser out of its cosily high-selling berth,  the SSR first impacted beachgoers' earlobes with its glorious rumble at low speeds, and, when it hoves into view, its livewire styling - a concept that shames the duck-billed platypus for ingenuity.

A bold, bulbous snout houses round headlights resembling VW's Beetle mounted on massive wheel skirts behind a similarly flared fender. Its look resembles those of Studebakers produced in the wake of the Second World War; it  might also be the only frame outside a low-slung racer where yellow could be considered an acceptable color option.  

WIth hard-top up

Test-car came with metallic blue paint, which also looks good, particularly with the top down and sunlight glinting off the brushed-chrome surrounds and interiors.  In fact, if you want a positively surreal, and indeed illuminating, experience, you can always drive it hood-down at night under the electro-blue lights of the Vincent Thomas bridge further down the coast.

The convertible's chassis provided a firm ride, even with the top down, while the vehicle's suspension, with double-wishbone in the front, and live-axle in the back, boasting rims of 19-inch fore and 20-inch aft, was less sure-footed.  

And 25 seconds later ...

The SSR's powertrain utilizes Chevy's small-block V-8 engine, only in a light-weight all-aluminum six-liter variant. Its 395 brake-horsepower  provided adequate acceleration for a vehicle with a curbweight of 4,760lbs, if not outstanding.  Its four-wheel mounted brakes, meanwhile, were superb.

Inside, the retro font on the speed dials resembled Chevys of old, and the central console dials that were easy to operate and encased in gleaming chrome also had old-school appeal. Bucket seats and Bose stereo also contribute to the overall interior quality expected of a vehicle in its class, even if it is mainly constructed out of the GM parts bin.

Interior and exterior trim levels impressed

But just which class is that?  Drag-racer or tow-car? Convertible or truck? Hot-rod or roadster? I believe weekend runabout suits it best.

It's really too impractical to buy as an everyday runabout, and not refined enough, or quick enough, for the real performance-heads, and fuel economy lends little to write about (15-19m.p.g. town and freeway). And for the more practical-minded, there's always the car-of-the-year nominated Chevy HHR.

But for surfing and other leisure pursuits, the SSR proved an excellent investment.  Two surfboards nestled securely in the 24-sq-ft bed, and though the flat-bed cover must be tilted upwards to accommodate them, this is not a problem except at excessively high speeds.

The SS's groundbreaking "top stack" hard-top design ensures no loss of space in the back even with the power-roof down, which  takes about 25 seconds to drop.

The flat-bed carrier also prevents  that somewhat pervasive damp wetsuit smell, especially if you've surfed near El Porto, alongside the sewage-treatment works further up the coast.

Chevy's retro SSR alongside an old-school Camaro

But the key to enjoying the SSR of course lies in its radical styling.  One professional surfboard-designer buddy, who also designs skate shoes, loved the hard-top and flat-bed combo, but was less assured about the front.  "Hey, nice ride man," was also heard on more than one occasion on the beachfront. 

And surfers in general seem happy with their lot in life too, and the SSR makes a nice niche product to ride about on, too.

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