Where I grew up, as with most people, I’m guessing, it was Ford vs. Chevy. Being a car guy (car = any motorized vehicle, basically), I like anything and everything now, but I leaned hard toward Ford trucks growing up because that’s what we had. I’d be proud to own this 1990 Chevrolet 454 SS in Silverado trim today, and it can be found here on eBay in Walker, Louisiana. The current bid price is $12,800, but if you can’t wait, just click on the $18,500 buy-it-now button and get’r done.
How great would it be to own a Chevrolet 454 SS and a Ford Lightning (the original one, I mean)? It would be great fun I think, but I’m weird. Dodge came out with the Dakota R/T, and Shelby had a hand in creating a fast and fun version of the Dakota, but Dodge didn’t seem to have a dedicated full-sized muscle truck in the early 1990s. The SRT-10 came out in 2004. The 1990 454 SS came in one configuration, a short bed C1500 regular cab, that’s it. Although, I have a hankerin’ to create a couple of different Photoshop versions one of these days. Speaking of Photoshop, I’ve always wondered what an International or Studebaker “muscle truck” may have looked like, or other pickups. I have some serious computer work ahead of me.
Fun with solar flare. I normally like photos to be horizontal and not have any weird blobs in them, but this solar flare pic is a happy accident – although it may have been better for a Ford Lightning. Chevrolet offered the 454 SS for four model years, 1990 through 1993, and like Mr. Ford’s Model T in the early years, they came in any color you wanted as long as it was Onyx Black. In 1992, you could also get monochromatic red or white. This Chevy has “zero rust” and has been lowered 3/4″ with a kit, not by cutting anything, so it can be put back to stock. They have the original rear bumper and sliding rear window, too. The seller’s $18,500 buy-it-now price is firm, and Hagerty is at $28,400 for a #3 good-condition truck, so this seems like a good price to me.
I believe the seats should be a deep Garnet Red so they look quite faded. Sadly, this is the only overall interior photo, and the seller included both vertical and horizontal format images. Thanks to smartphones (thanks for nothin’!), I have a feeling that vertical photos will be with us until someone invents a phone that automatically recognizes that a vehicle is horizontal and switches formats for you. Someday… However, the seller hits a homerun on detailed photos, they show many closeups to highlight a few dings and chips around the truck. The bed cover is fading a bit, but it looks good underneath the cover.
The engine for 1990 454 SSs would have been Chevrolet’s – you guessed it – 454-cu.in. OHV V8, which for 1990 had 230 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque. Backed by a THM-400 three-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels only. The 1991 trucks got a four-speed automatic and another 25 horsepower. The seller says this truck runs and drives great, and the AC is ice-cold, not a small consideration in Louisiana. What’s your favorite muscle truck from the 1990s?
As much as I love this era of trucks, especially ( only SB, 2-WD) I never really wanted one of these. I even had a friend who bought one to put away for an investment. It’s funny you never know how the car community is going to react. Not that these are bad. They just didn’t do what a lot of people thought they would.
Yep, I had a buddy who, back in ’91, kicked a ’63 split window out of his garage and replaced it with a new 454SS. He was expecting big profit down the road. I should touch base and see how it worked out for him.
I love pretty much any truck. 4x4s, compact 2wd, vans, and of course these factory hot rods. Ford had one also .. to take on this mighty 454SS.
But didn’t Dodge take the blue ribbon with their later effort. The wild SRT model, manual transmission available too 😎 🏁
I had a reply got logged out after I hit submit.
Try number 2.
All of us young guys ( I was in my early 20’s when these came out) talked about these. I couldn’t afford one then, and still cant in my 50’s either!!! There were faster vehicles in 1990, but you certainly had bragging rights with a 454 under the hood. I always thought these looked great with the dark red interior and black paint. This one looks pretty solid.
my 2012 WITH Mods DYNOS is AT 312, and has all the goodies plus more that this on BUT this 354 looks swell, We live i Prker Co. a rather truck communty , So many hot trucks what a joy BUT if I can just find thar sweet 57-58 Cabellero
Do you ever go to the cars and coffee at Gateway Classic Cars just north of American Furniture off E470? Last Saturday of the month. Always alot of old and interesting trucks.
I have an 04 chevy silverado with chevy’s 496. Chevy stroked a 454 for it. To my surprise, no badging or anything to show that’s what it is.
I looked it up though and they made them for some silverados but mostly for rv’s. Not alot of them out there. I know it pulls my 10 thousand lb camper easy though.
I’ve kept the mileage relatively low 135,000 so far so here’s hoping when I’m done with it someone will be looking for them.
I’ve always loved the short beds, especially with the big engines. I used to work at a Chevy dealership (mid 70’s) that would bring them in through a wholesaler, usually out of Texas or Oklahoma. I was always happy to take them home for a “test drive” over the weekend. This one looks like a very well cared for example ( sun faded seats are simple to remedy). I think it’s interesting that the seller didn’t post actual miles though. It’d probably be worth a phone call to the seller.
This truck is tired. Fifteen would be an acceptable bid, if seller embraces reality.
Well, 454 use to mean BIG power but that same truck would most likely run better with a 350 TPI of that year. 230 hp in 1990 is not impressive from a 454.
350 TPI: best truck motor ever made that was never put in a truck.
I had one of these from 1990 until 1995,also had a new 1994 dodge ram with a 360 magnum.Out of the hole the chevy could jump it but once they got rolling the dodge could take it every time.That big block chevy ran out of steam quick but the low end torque was good.It also wasn’t great on the road with with the turbo 400 and no overdrive.
Getting out of the Marine Corps when this came out I test drove a brand new one. Then I drove a Toyota. Ended up buying a Nissan. The Chevy was just really slow for what it was. Both the Toyota and Nissan seemed like better built, faster, more efficient trucks.
what’s going on with those lame seats? they look aftermarket and not like the 1s in my buddys truck.
Auction update: this listing was removed because the truck is no longer available. Did one of you grab it?