The Chevy 454 SS muscle truck debuted for the 1990 model year, the obvious result of designers’ study hall dreams brought to life. They started with the lightest full-size pickup they could get their hands on, a Chevrolet two-wheel-drive, regular cab, short bed and shoved a 454 cubic-inch Big Block under the hood. The fuel-injected rat motor made 230 horsepower (at the time, the base Corvette only made 245 ponies) and 385 pound-feet of torque. Power was transmitted rearward via a Turbo Hydramatic 400 three-speed automatic transmission and a fourteen-bolt limited-slip rear end with 3.73 gears. Finished in a menacing glossy Onyx Black over a Garnett Red cloth interior, the 454 SS was easily identified by the graphics on the rear of the bed sides.
The Chevy 454 SS wasn’t just a two-wheel-drive pickup with a big engine, but a complete performance package with enhanced handling courtesy of a thicker front anti-roll bar, quicker steering ratio, Bilstein shocks, power brakes with front discs, and chrome wheels shod in 275/65R15 tires. Other standard equipment included oil and transmission coolers, air conditioning, cruise control, Delco AM-FM/cassette stereo, power windows, power locks, bucket seats, tilt steering, front air dam with driving lights, and a heavy-duty bed tonneau. The 454 SS could sprint from a dead stop to 60 miles per hour in a scant 7.7 seconds, going on to a 15.9-second quarter-mile time. Not bad for something that had the aerodynamic qualities of a Carrier air conditioner.
Our feature 1990 Chevy 454 SS shows just ten miles on the odometer, and still has the original window sticker affixed. Finished in Onyx Black over a Garnett Red cloth interior, it has never had its pre-purchase service, and still has the factory plastic coverings in place. It is powered by the 454 cubic-inch Big Block engine backed by the three-speed TH400 automatic. The 454 SS is equipped with power windows, power locks, power brakes, power steering, tinted glass, tilt steering, cruise control, engine and transmission oil coolers, air conditioning, Delco AM-FM/cassette stereo, and the 454 SS appearance package. It is being offered with the build sheet, owner’s manual, window sticker, and point-of-sale materials.
This ten-mile 1990 Chevy 454 SS will cross the Mecum Auctions block at their Glendale, Arizona sale Friday, March 21st.
Comments
Very nice!
It’s sad that no one got to enjoy driving this truck for the last 35 years.
There’s nothing wrong with owning one with test miles. I can appreciate high or low miles. This one is seen as a work of art.
These were new when I was in high school and I wanted one so badly. I remember that another guy started driving one to school every day. I didn’t know him, but I saw his truck every day and was incredibly jealous!
Looks like an 8’ bed, not short box, strange
It is a short bed. Look again.
Kim,
Yes, strange. The article states that, “they started with a two-wheel drive regular cab short bed.”
The tires are 275/65R15. Those tires would be a little over 30″ in total diameter. From the broadside view of the truck in that photo it looks like you could easily set 3 tires end to end in the length of that bed. 90″ is 7 and 1/2 ft.
1990 short box trucks were 6 and 1/2 ft. Broadside picture of the truck looks like an 8-ft box to me.
i drove mine everyday from 1992 (3000) when i got it until 2005 .. it had over 70000 on it when i sold it .. 2 sets of hub caps . 1 black and 1 silver .. both factory ..still miss it .. but glad to see one in new shape
These trucks were one of GM supremely underrated succeses. Everything off the factory floor in just the right combo. Maybe a few colour options would have sold better. I wanted one but had just purchased a new ’89 T-Type LeSabre (black-awesome car). My truck at the time was a fully custom Black ’78 Chevy Shorty Van. I’ve always owned a truck of some sort even to this day. People complained about these SSs because they didn’t have enough horsepower (in their opinion). If you wanted to put more horsepower in them you would need to put a car in the back to keep from shredding the tires completely off. They were(are) outstanding, even by today’s standards. New owner of this one will have a prize.
$100K Easily.
when I think about how much horsepower that was to us back then. Of course the torque is gets you moving.
Less horsepower and torque than a brand new base Sulverado with the 2.7 turbo. A new Silverado even in base form probably has more features. Way more luxurious. Oh, and it’s quicker to 60.
Buying this SS would be a total waste of money. And so many complain that new trucks are overpriced.
….And at 90 MPH it was all over. The 3:73 gear made sure of that with no O/D until the later years of those and they switched to 4:10 gears.
Still was a blast outside of that. Was a perfect factory muscle truck for the day.
If GM would put a V-8 in their new regular cab standard box truck, I would order one today.
Per the ordering guide, you can get a 5.3 in a regular cab for 2025
I’m in the same position as Mel. I would like a new 1500 regular cab with a 5.3 but the 5.3 is only available in the 2500HD reg cab, not in the 1500. I have some serious soul searching whether to spend that extra money on more truck than I really need. Turbo 4 cylinders are meant for small cars, not full size pickups. Even a turbo 4.3 V6 would be a much better option. It’s powertrain longevity/reliability that I’m concerned about.