This 2003 Chevrolet SSR pickup carries a provenance that few production vehicles can match: it was the personal SSR of Ed Welburn, the sixth head of design for General Motors and the first person ever to lead GM design on a global scale. Over a 44-year career at GM, Welburn was the driving force behind iconic nameplates including Corvette, Camaro, and Cadillac - as well as the Chevrolet SSR itself, the Super Sport Roadster he shepherded from concept all the way to production.
What sets this particular truck apart is the depth of Welburn's personal involvement in its build. He walked down the assembly line as the SSR was being constructed, identified the floor pan through assembly and paint, fit the right rear quarter-panel into place by hand, and signed the vehicle in multiple locations as the build progressed. The truck went on to serve as his official company car, and he enjoyed it for nearly two decades. A personalized binder accompanies the sale and includes photographs of Welburn watching his SSR come together on the line.
Mechanically, the SSR is powered by a 5.3-liter V-8 producing a factory-rated 300 horsepower, paired with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. The engine breathes through a dual exhaust system. Stopping power comes from four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, and traction control is fitted.
The exterior is finished in Smokin' Asphalt Black and features the SSR's signature power-retractable hardtop along with a hard tonneau bed cover wearing a "44" decal, honoring Welburne's tenure at GM. Five-spoke aluminum wheels are wrapped in Goodyear Eagle performance tires. Inside, ebony leather bucket seats are joined by air conditioning and full-power accessories.
The odometer shows just 14,892 actual miles - a remarkably preserved example with a one-of-a-kind story tying it directly to one of the most influential designers in modern American automotive history.
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