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Muscle Truck Survivor: 1990 Chevrolet 454 SS

Despite their limited production, it seems the muscle trucks of the early ’90s still pop up for sale with decent regularity. This 1990 Chevrolet 454 SS pickup isn’t like all the others, however, as it actually has some real miles on the clock. The seller reports he’s driven it 120,000 miles, which stands in stark contrast to all of those rigs that have been parked in the garage for the last 20 years with delivery miles only. Still, that’s not stopping him from asking a fair price for it, with the listed ask as $20,000 in the ad posted here on craigslist in New Hampshire.

The SS got the requisite improvements on the outside, like the lower front air dam with integrated fog lamps, the full black-out treatment across the grill, and a stiffer suspension to go along with the enhancements under the hood. The seller doesn’t go overboard on the details, just mentioning that it’s a clean, original example, and it certainly does seem to be free from any aftermarket alterations. While it’s certainly the sort of vehicle that would respond well to modifications, it seems like most of the original SS trucks are left alone, and the same goes for its main competitor, the F150 Lightning.

The engine bay is clean for a vehicle with six digits on the odometer, and while the photos aren’t the greatest, the rest of the bodywork seems straight and true. Being a New Hampshire vehicle, underside inspection is a must, especially given the truck was apparently used fairly often. Of course, you could rack up 120K by just driving it in the fair-weather and shoulder seasons, which is hopefully what this seller opted to do. Power wasn’t overwhelming at 230 b.h.p. and 385 lb-ft of torque, but it was more than respectable for its day. It could still eclipse 60 in less than eight seconds.

The interior was always a letdown, looking largely like any other GM pickup cabin of the era. You did get unique bucket seats, but that was about it. The F150 Lightning always felt more special to me inside, even though it wasn’t an entirely different formula; the Ford felt like a 90s truck, whereas the 454 SS was clearly trapped in the 80s. Regardless, this example’s interior is in clean, stock condition, with the standard three-speed automatic and an SS-specific center console present and accounted for. $20K is a fair bit higher than I suspect the market will bear, but who knows? If you’re in the Northeast and looking for an SS you can drive, it could be worth making an offer on.

Comments

  1. Avatar Jcs

    Craigslist ad is showing it at $18K.

    Like 1
  2. Avatar Steve R

    I wouldn’t consider one of these with a TH400, they have so much rear gearing that it kills gas mileage, which wouldn’t matter if if it had decent performance, which it doesn’t. They look nice, but this model year doesn’t have much to offer beyond that.

    Steve R

    Like 2
  3. Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

    At least this one was driven, unlike so many. Kudo’s to the current owner.

    Like 3
  4. Avatar t-bone BOB

    Located in Nashua, NH

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Gary Rhodes

    Buy a Dodge Little Red Express, faster and prettier. 14.7 quarter mile, a second faster that GMs 15.8 and with a small block instead of that boat anchor.

    Like 3
  6. Avatar tphaff

    If it was a 375hp 454 or 425hp I could see 15k but it’s still a pick-up’ These are pulling big money but not mine. Good luck

    Like 1
  7. Avatar firemedic2714

    I liked these when they were new and wanted one badly. I graduated HS in 1990 and this had almost as much HP as a Corvette (IIRC). Keep in mind that this was an automotive era that was barren of horsepower. One of these could easily be recreated today and built the right way.

    Like 0

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