As the broader auto industry eyes a move to EVs, including GM, collectors are shelling out big bucks for their favorite internal-combustion-powered classics. That includes pickups like this 1990 Chevy 454 SS, which just sold at auction for an eye-widening $110,000.
For those readers who may be unaware, the Chevy 454 SS offered quick performance (for its day), while still packing all the usual truck-oriented capabilities expected of it. While the Chevy 454 SS could be considered something of a preamble to the GMC Syclone, it featured a totally different powertrain setup, with a naturally aspirated 7.4L Big Block V8 under the hood, as compared to the Syclone’s turbocharged V6. Output from the factory was rated at 230 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, enough to send the pickup to 60 mph in approximately 7.7 seconds and through the quarter mile in 15.9 seconds. Of course, those numbers were well below the performance figures attached to the Syclone, which could sprint to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, but even still, the Chevy 454 SS had enough muscle and go-fast attitude to get noticed.
Part of that attitude was the way this thing looks. Outside, we spot that classic early ‘90s boxy styling, with rectangular shapes everywhere, from tip to tail. The body panels are covered in Onyx Black paint, which is complemented by a red Chevy Bow Tie badge in the nose, red badging in the flanks, and silver and red decals on the rear quarter panels and on the tailgate. Paired with polished 15-inch wheels, it’s obvious that there’s something special about this pickup.
This particular example sports just 6 miles on the clock, which is amazing considering it’s more than three decades old at this point. For fans, this could be pretty much the perfect collector piece, but even so, $110,000 is an eye-watering price tag.
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Source: Mecum Auctions
Comments
Well that’s just bonkers. A fool and his money……………………
It’s clean I’ll give em that. Ain’t nothing on or about this truck worth even half that. These trucks were slow and poorly made. Always liked the look of them tho.
$40,000 should have been the end of the world and that’s being generous.
Great so now these rich bit$*es are starting to ruin the prices of 80s and 90s cars and trucks… Didn’t they do enough by making almost every 60s muscle car out of reach because of price! 🤬
“rich bit$*es are starting to ruin the prices”
That’s pathetic. I guess you’ll have to settle for owning something newer.
These cars and trucks shouldn’t cost this much it’s not just cars everything collectable is out of control Cody wise. R. B.!
Was a inexpensive made truck that had a Big motor & a big price back then. Cool to look at. Wouldn’t buy it now or even back then.
All that said; There’s nothing like a Chevy big block. Driving these, even with high miles and rust, they’re still BA…
And the GMT400’s are more popular than ever these days.
True, I have an 88 3500 reg cab srw with a 454 that my father bought new. From a standstill just floor it and it just smokes one rear tire and doesn’t move! Original engine never had heads off. On second trans (400)
I ordered mine from the factory and paid $15,500 of which $500 was destination charge. I still have the factory window sticker and the specialized letter and decal package that came with the truck!
TNM… yes a V8 of any kind is an amazing experience I owned a 2002 Z28 I loved that car good power, it rode decent, and people always looked at it… I had 1991 ZR1 wheels on it I hardly ever had an issue with the reliability of that cat. I would buy this truck for $20,000 or $30,000 and that’s it… I would rather have an 1985 Chevy Square body!
Three of my four current vehicles are V8’s So I agree!
But drive a big block if given the opportunity – or seek the opportunity… Rats are where its At !
Proof that there are lot of dumb rich people out there driving prices for stuff like this through the stratosphere. The throttle body injection held these monster size Big Blocks way back in power.
I think it’s like going back in time and meeting your first girlfriend again but this time you have a lot more money he will know everything is only worth it so he’s willing to pay for it and in this case there was somebody they had a lot of money and somebody else that had the right truck at the right sale and if you were sitting there with 110,000 in your pocket you think that was a great deal
Those were good clean uncluttered looking trucks. That 454 big block was not a very efficient engine, by today’s standards. I actually prefer those models over these later models despite the early peeling paint problems.
Factory could make a new version today, but won’t.
Sure, but they’d need to redesign the body to meet modern crash standards, add airbags and build a new engine to meet emissions standards.
If they actually wanted to sell any, they’d also need a bunch of modern features this didn’t have.
Hmm.. Maybe they could just build modern vehicles instead?
had caddy’s from the 70’s with the BIG BLOCK 8.2 liter engines, Had the Pontiac trans am’s with the 350’s, all NEW WHEN I OWNED. but the i tried a toyota sienna one year, 6 cylinder , fun, but this van would smoke em in the dust. With engines GM was always a bit behind, especially with Cadillacs. so many failures, The “HT-4100″ was the highest flop, there Diesel 6 sucked, another crappy one was the” 8-6-4 cylinder use” when driving. they got back on track when they made the Northstar engine. I have to give Props thou, Gm was always good with Top Exec Bonus every year, always got that right
I will say The Truck does look great.
Chris… Yes those engines where flops but at least GM was willing to try innovation…Today’s cars as great, modern, fuel efficient, and filled with Gizmos just don’t seem to have that charm that 40’s through 70’s and even some 80s and 90s vehicles had… When I drove my 2002 Z28 I felt like it was something special I was proud to own it the same thing with my father’s 1971 Cadillac sedan DeVille even though it they where missing fuel mileage, touch screens, modern brakes and all that it was was a quality product that made you feel Good… No great… Now it seems like all every car manufacturer is after sales and profit!…Not what the people want .
$hit. If I was wealthy enough to afford this comfortably, with plenty of money to spare, I would buy it. My father drove a truck that looks exactly like this. He passed away at 59 years old. Seeing the maroon interior brings back all kinds of memories including the equalizer next to the tape deck. I love it. There are no words. I found this posting while looking for a nice 90s Silverado wallpaper to use in memory of my Dad. I remember He used to always fiddle around with the EQ when we would ride around playing his favorite songs. You simply don’t know what this truck means to the person who bought it. They could have personal feelings attached to it… they may not. Maybe they’re just a Chevrolet enthusiast… or maybe its a bit of both. I mean the plastic peels are still left on the instrument cluster. I bet a lot of commenters here don’t even know what its like to be the first owner of a vehicle, let alone something of this magnitude. Now imagine vehicles being your passion hobby and having something like this preserved through time thru the years. Speaking as a mechanic of 18 years, They just don’t make them like they used to…. I kind of understand feeling the need to criticize someone for how they spend their money but its not really fair until were faced with that same type of wealth. I’ve seen people spend way more unreasonable amounts of money on things that are arguably no where near the value of this truck. Best thing is, the buyer isn’t sticking his money in his arm or up his nose, so this gem might even find its way to his kids and so on. Listen… have a nice day people. if you don’t have a passion hobby, get one. Its good to have a reason to wake up every day and get exited. Having something to come home to that’s not a spouse or other person in general. having a hobby to be passionate about saved my life. Im looking ot just under a decade sober. Happily married. Wish pops got to see it. RIP Dad.
It’s a crying shame that a 454 had only 230 hp and 280 ft. lbs. of torque. I know it’s not a race truck but darn that’s weak. My 2012 Chrysler 200 3.6L V6 has 283 hp. Wow.
By the time you find that torque, the 454 will be gone! Off the line. Big blocks are toque monsters no matter what the numbers say.
And, for 1990 those were very respectable numbers. Drive a big block Chevy and you’ll never forget it. Despite what the numbers say…
I guess to each their one. I had the opportunity to buy a low mileage 1990 SS 454 and almost missed this purchase. I bought a 1990 454 SS with only 17k miles on it about 6 years ago – only after a buyer got cold feet and didn’t buy it from the seller. I couldn’t pull the trigger to buy it, but after that guy said no I wasn’t going to let that one get a way & bought it with no regrets. This truck is awesome – drives like new and absolutely no rattles or noises going over anything rough. Never has a big block before and love this one, truck always gets a thumbs up wherever go. Baddest vehicle I have ever owned.