SS Survivor: 1990 Chevrolet Silverado SS454 18K Miles – SOLD!

January 15, 2023, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Chevrolet’s GMT400 truck platform, produced from 1988 to 1998, has not become as popular among classic car enthusiasts as Chevy’s prior C/K variants. However, there are always exceptions to the rule, and one standout among the GMT400 truck variants is the Chevrolet Silverado SS454 produced from 1990 to 1993.

With only 18,500 original miles, this 1990 Chevy SS454, originally listed in December 2022 on Craigslist in Carona, California, is among the lowest-mileage and cleanest survivor quality examples we’ve seen since these trucks were new.  The seller reports their truck’s interior even still smells like new.

Last offered for $42,500, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is slightly above the one-year rolling average of this guide’s summary for 1990 Chevrolet Silverado SS454 pickups.  By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you evaluate the price of the truck featured here:

As a second data point, the  Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $24,200 and its #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $47,300.

GM produced the fourth generation of the Chevy/GMC C/K Truck (known within GM as the GMT400) from model years 1988-1999.  In 1990, Chevrolet introduced a high-performance variant of the GMT400 called the 454SS. It was available only as a two-wheel-drive half-ton regular cab short box in Onyx Black with a garnet red interior. Powering the 454SS was a 454 cubic inch (7.4 L) V8 that produced 230 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. A three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 and 3.73 rear axle ratio put all that power to the ground. The axle is unique, a 14-bolt semi-floating unit that uses standard Chevrolet five-on-five inch wheels—the only factory-produced 14-bolt axle with such a wheel bolt pattern. The suspension was upgraded with 1.3-inch Bilstein gas-filled shock absorbers, a 1.3-inch front stabilizer bar, and a 12.7:1 fast-ratio steering gear assembly.

Unique exterior features included a front air dam with fog lights, special rims, decals displaying “454SS” on the bedsides, red trim emblems, a black painted grille, bumpers, and mirrors. The interior was also unique, with a special plush Garnet Red cloth, black trim, high-back reclining sport bucket seats, and a center console.

The MotorWeek Retro Review YouTube Channel features this vintage test of the then-new 1990 Silverado SS454:

Trucks are only original once, and with only 18,466 original miles, this 1990 Chevrolet SS454 pickup may be one of the nicest survivor examples available.  For less than the price of an oversized new truck, you can purchase this like-new SS454  pickup equipped with good old-fashioned big block V8 torque, with just enough modern features (electronic ignition, fuel injection) that allow you to still work on it yourself.

Here’s the seller’s description:

Show or go: What would you do with this 1990 Chevrolet C1500 SS454 pickup for sale?  Please comment below and let us know!