Despite its somewhat subtle appearance, the Chevrolet 454 SS is a renowned performance truck, with the brand stuffing a 7.4-liter V8 into 16,953 single cab short bed C1500 models from 1990 to 1993. While they were not terribly expensive new (the original MSRP was just under $19,000), these trucks maintain their value, as seen by this 1990 model that is here on eBay.
This ready-to-drive 454 SS is available in West Chester, Pennsylvania with a clean and clear title. The seller is honest about the quality of the truck, noting that the paint quality isn’t perfect and that a rust hole is present on the passenger side cab corner. Unfortunately, when it comes to a vehicle residing in a state like Pennsylvania, it’s easy to expect rust, especially if it sees fairly regular use. While this truck seems like it’s in pretty great shape, some photos of the undercarriage and frame would definitely provide peace of mind.
As mentioned earlier, the keystone of the 454 SS truck is the driveline. Chevrolet took a massive 7.4-liter, 454 cubic inch V8 engine and placed it in the smallest version of their full-size pickup truck, pairing the engine with a 3-speed automatic transmission and a 3.73 posi rear differential.
This truck features a handful of upgrades, including an Edelbrock intake manifold, 74mm throttle body, Jet performance chip, and a custom exhaust. However, new maintenance items such as cap and rotor, spark plugs, wires, fuel filter, and battery were all freshly installed.
Inside the cab, you’ll find bucket seats that upholstered in Chevrolet’s lovely Garnet Red cloth. Quite frankly, the interior seems to be in good and original shape overall. However, the seller claims the cruise control needs a switch to work, and also that the headliner needs replacing, though no photos are shown. Last but not least, a new AC compressor was recently added to the truck, meaning that this cabin should be cool in the summers.
The seller of this truck asks $10,500 for it, though reasonable offers are also considered. Do you think that’s a fair price for the driver-quality 454 SS, or would you rather hold out for more of a trailer queen?
i’d jump on it if it weren’t for the rust.
i’d prefer to pay more for a rust-free example instead.
Nice truck! Could be a couple thousand cheaper. My cousin bought one brand new (still has it 115000 miles).Talk about fun!!!! He used it daily for his carpentry business for a few years. We always thought Lightnings were wimpy compared to these.
The best ones to get are the 91+ with the 4speed automatic overdrive.
I’d prefer a driver and I would want to pay a lot less than this.
I dont see these becoming to pricey in the future. Basically they were slugs compared to Ford’s Lighting pick-up. And I see them quite often, so they aren’t that rare. They’re just boring black,with awful looking wheels and that simple sticker on the sides of the bed………I’m so bored I think I’ll take a nap.
Lightning was turbo and also few models twin turbo – 6 cyl 300
The original Lightning’s were powered by 240hp 5.8L Windsor V8s. The next generation were supercharged 5.4L Triton’s.
Redneck Grand National. It doesn’t even have a sliding window to throw your beer cans in the back.
My truck has the same interior…cheap plastic, plastic and more plastic
12 mpg at 5.15 a gallon in Canada.
Hmmmm Might have to pass…
That looks like a 8ft bed ?
I had a Suburban with the 454, could pull a house off the foundation. So loud you could hear it a few blocks away and my kids called it “Big Red”. Loved it but it sucked the gas. Still going strong on a ranch.
What has happened? This truck is another example of crazy price on vehicles in general these days.
$5500.00 is about what its worth get real PLEASE
Shortboxes/swb’s are bringing huge money right now, it’s just how the market has turned. Anyone here believe what we’re seeing VW vans going for? I don’t like the word trend but everything finds a niche market eventually, buddy summed it up nicely the other night, people don’t think twice about paying 40/50K for people carriers, trucks, commuters etc., but we balk at paying 20K for something we want and/or lust over. I do the same, but if I don’t want to pony up I’m never going to have the cake.
Mark, the Lightning was never a turbo nor was it ever offered in a twin turbo or a 300 inline 6-cylinder….it was a 331 cubic inch 5.4 L with a 4-71 blower. Mine made 509 HP and 564 foot pounds of torque with a cat-back exhaust, Superchip, 95mm Accufab throttle body, and 14 lb pulley…ran 12.30”s at 114 spinning….No corvettes, camaros, or especially the SS 454 pickup stood a chance. Topped out at 162 mph… not bad for a 4900 pound pickup truck
Yes I remember the first time I saw them on the the showroom floor with a 400 Turbo the bulletproof transmission with 373 rear end at somewhere around 10 miles per gallon
Yes I remember the first time I saw them on the the showroom floor with a 400 Turbo the bulletproof transmission with 373 rear end and 275 60 15 and I believe that was a 350 454 had not come out yet at somewhere around 10 miles per gallon now the overdrive’s did not come out except for Corvette they had problems I believe there is like 15 revisions done to that tranny since
I have seen s few of these pickup around I can remember everyone saying what good is it, no 4 WD. I think these could spin the tires pretty ok but don’t think they were ever known as fast or as extremely powerful, I am sure with a bit of work it would go a long ways. Decent pickup, solid driveline poor mileage but overall pretty interesting
I have seen s few of these pickup around I can remember everyone saying what good is it, no 4 WD. I think these could spin the tires pretty ok but don’t think they were ever known as fast or as extremely powerful, I am sure with a bit of work it would go a long ways. Decent pickup, solid driveline poor mileage but overall pretty interesting