[Commodoreman2000]

G'day there,
I was just sitting here thinking about the SS and the names people thought it should have had. I sit and wonder as to whether or not they should have placed a proper name like Chevelle, Lumina or any number of variants on it.

I mainly ask this question now as some members here have had the opportunity to sit in, drive and also now proudly own one of these modern day muscle car/ sleepers.
I know it isn't a two door, however it hasn't seemed to have done Chrysler any harm putting the Charger name onto a sedan.

Thoughts???? I know people hated the no name SS I just wonder if a storied name would have sullied either the car or the historical nature of a name?

 

[PRLx1967]

G'day there,
I was just sitting here thinking about the SS and the names people thought it should have had. I sit and wonder as to whether or not they should have placed a proper name like Chevelle, Lumina or any number of variants on it.

I mainly ask this question now as some members here have had the opportunity to sit in, drive and also now proudly own one of these modern day muscle car/ sleepers.
I know it isn't a two door, however it hasn't seemed to have done Chrysler any harm putting the Charger name onto a sedan.

Thoughts???? I know people hated the no name SS I just wonder if a storied name would have sullied either the car or the historical nature of a name?

The name is eh, but I wouldn't put an old name on the car. Maybe just called it what it is in AUS? Donno, I don't mind the name.


Sent from AutoGuide.com App

 

[MikeC1003]

Man, I'd luv to own that 70 LS6 Chevelle! Wish I could've bought one back then, it'd still be in my garage. Be great to see the Chevelle name used again, maybe on something like a 2dr SS. Will take a pass on names like Chevette, Cavalier & Lumina.LOL

Mike

 

[SpectroBR]

I think GM wanted to avoid the whole GTO debacle all over again. Charger front looks retro, so it gets a pass. Also, if you give the car a "proper" name, people automatically expect it to have a full lineup (even the Camaro has a base V6 manual), so the limited options might not sit well with a lot of buyers.

For me, though, it will always be the Omega. Even my wife already calls it that way

 

[G8 GT V8]

Man, I'd luv to own that 70 LS6 Chevelle! Wish I could've bought one back then, it'd still be in my garage. Be great to see the Chevelle name used again, maybe on something like a 2dr SS. Will take a pass on names like Chevette, Cavalier & Lumina.LOL

Mike

I agree with Mike. While the Chevelle came in 2 door and 4 door versions, the one that got all the attention from the performance crowd was the 2 door SS since they didn't make a 4 door SS. So in my mind, if they bring the Chevelle name back to the market, I would want it to be retro and look like a 2 door 1969 or 1970 model because I love them both. I like the prior body styles too, but think that the 69 or 70 styling would fit right in along a current retro camaro, mustang, and challenger.

Personally, I think they should have brought the SS out as an Impala SS because since 1995, we've grown accustom to it being a 4 door performance car where years ago, the Impala SS was always a 2 door. It would turn away a lot of the diehard front wheel drive Impala customers, but Chevy has plenty of other front wheel drive models to pick from.

So that's my 2 cents...

 

[G8 GT V8]

I think GM wanted to avoid the whole GTO debacle all over again.

I agree. I was all excited when I heard that the GTO was coming back, back in 2004. Before seeing the car, I just new that it would be a retro throw back to the mid to late 60's GTO. Then I finally saw what it looked like. What a turn off. It didn't look anything like an old GTO so I was a bit bummed out. I eventually ended up really liking the 05 and 06 models, but could never warm up to the 04. So I have to ask, why did they even offer the 04? I would have been pissed if I were the guy to go buy a brand new 04 GTO and then in 05 they give it the bigger LS2, make big improvements to the hood with the more aggressive scoops, and give the exhaust a split exit configuration rather than the single sided exit. I think that if they would have introduced the 05 version to the market to begin with and called it something different, we would have seen a much better response, but that's just my personal opinion.

 

[z51vett]

I agree. I was all excited when I heard that the GTO was coming back, back in 2004. Before seeing the car, I just new that it would be a retro throw back to the mid to late 60's GTO. Then I finally saw what it looked like. What a turn off. It didn't look anything like an old GTO so I was a bit bummed out. I eventually ended up really liking the 05 and 06 models, but could never warm up to the 04. So I have to ask, why did they even offer the 04? I would have been pissed if I were the guy to go buy a brand new 04 GTO and then in 05 they give it the bigger LS2, make big improvements to the hood with the more aggressive scoops, and give the exhaust a split exit configuration rather than the single sided exit. I think that if they would have introduced the 05 version to the market to begin with and called it something different, we would have seen a much better response, but that's just my personal opinion.

Now the 66 and 67 front ends of the SS Chevelles are very nice and the rear. I owned a 69 SS 396 Chevelle still want a 67 for a toy.
z51vett
Doug

 

[tnt44]

I like the idea that it dosent have a name ....I'm not sure i would have been so quick to buy one if it was an Impala SS or even a Chevelle SS.... after owning one you will be pleased that its just an SS.....

 

[G8 GT V8]

Now the 66 and 67 front ends of the SS Chevelles are very nice and the rear. I owned a 69 SS 396 Chevelle still want a 67 for a toy.
z51vett
Doug

Agreed. 67 is my favorite of that body style and would take one in a heartbeat. Over all, my favorites are: 69 SS396, 67 SS396, 70 396SS/454SS

 

[Navy Lifer]

Well...

I realize I really don't have "standing" to comment about this, as a non-owner, unless my 40+ years of Chevy ownership somehow qualifies me, including owning an Impala SS since 1996.

The lack of a model "name" for the SS was quickly landed on by many--critics and potential owners--as if the model name or lack thereof was going to nix the deal, when the car finally came to dealers.

Sure, there are names that do not fit--Vega, Corvair, Corsica, Citation, and on & on. I happen to believe that also includes Chevelle--not to make this a fight, but the Chevelle owners would look at this 4-door "SS" just as the pre-94 Impala SS owners did when the RWD B-body's last hurrah debuted....and honestly, I think many current RWD Impala SS aficionados who don't know or care much about the history could care less about the extra 2 doors, since the car has proven to be superior in most every way to the cars built between 1961 & 1969, other than the retro cool factor.

But the Chevelle was and remains a much more definitive "muscle" car in the current market, so putting that name on a new model would, in many minds, sully the heritage of the original model from the 60's & 70's. The fact that the new car could embarrass the average big-block SS396 in every way is beside the point.

Couldn't build this today:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...3785718233.105454.114519518233&type=1&theater

To me, the real issue is that GM and Chevy could not make a case for continuing to produce a full-size car and see it evolve, as it naturally would have, once the decision to halt production at the end of 1996 was made, and we got to watch other manufacturers fill the void--not having a full-size RWD platform hurt--both for enthusiasts and other traditional customers, as well as GM itself.

Lurking out there was what Holden was doing--and between Mark Reuss and Bob Lutz, thankfully something good happened - GTO, then G8. In other markets, Holden had presence, and eventually Zeta was offered, ironically as a Chevrolet, and with LHD through GM Middle East--VERY frustrating for us dealing with W-Impala's, including the FWD Impala SS, which went away in 2009. Caprice SS (WX8) was offered alongside Impala SS from 94-96 as the export model, and when Caprice WM happened in 2006, with the joint debut of VE, Caprice SS returned to that market, but not here, considering GM's deal with the devil (US Government) and stupid internal mis-management.

What I don't get is how G8 was so well accepted as a vehicle name, yet SS is deemed a problem for this new Chevrolet-branded VF. If it should have a name, Commodore would be fine--Chevy has long used names that started with the letter "C", but not exclusively. It's not a retro car, so Chevelle is just not suitable, IMO, but everyone will have their own take on that.

Only a few other names in history for Chevy come to mind with any potential--and none may be considered suitable to identify the new VF SS:

BelAir
Monte Carlo
Monza

In my "perfect world" scenario, when the 2009 W-Impala SS (V8/FWD) was dropped, and considering that Pontiac was down and out, umbilical being cut, it would have been the perfect time to Federalize the LHD Chevy Caprice SS (since the basic work to certify it was already done by way of G8) and this whole discussion would be moot.

Considering that the SS is a halo car, built only one way, as an SS, does allow GM to get away with attaching no other name, since it is a stand-alone model. If it ever came to offering an actual model lineup with different trim levels, different powertrain options, etc, then an actual "name" would be needed--the SWB car should remain Commodore, the only thing that makes sense to me.

 

[cbsmith402]

I guess I'm in the minority with thinking Chevelle would be a good name. I don't have much of a history with Chevrolet like some on here so the legacy of the name really carry any weight with me. Fact is, if they had continued the Chevelle up until now it would probably look a lot like an SS anyway so the argument that it should be "retro" is moot. I just don't see how the VF would sully the "Chevelle" name at all. Did anyone who complained about the GTO name actually plan to buy one? GM needs to stop listening to the muscle-car-glory-days crowd because they're never going to be happy unless it has leaf springs, carbs and drum brakes anyway.

Besides, everyone seemed to be okay with using other names on bland, crappy FWD 4 and 6-cylinders for the past 20 years, but all of sudden we care that a full-size RWD V8 sedan doesn't look retro enough to carry the name of a definitive muscle car?

Either way, I'm not sure who is dumber: GM for naming a model after a trim level, or everyone on Ebay who has listed their car's make and model as a Chevrolet SS when it's clearly a Chevrolet Camaro SS or Impala SS. The name causes confusion and they should have named it something other than a trim level, like Commodore or Caprice even.

 

[G8 GT V8]

Did anyone who complained about the GTO name actually plan to buy one?

GM needs to stop listening to the muscle-car-glory-days crowd because they're never going to be happy unless it has leaf springs, carbs and drum brakes anyway.

I would have bought one if it had looked retro, because at that time, the only V8 rear wheel drive car that GM had to offer was the Corvette.

Your other statement is far from the truth. I would love a glory day muscle car with IRS, fuel injection, and 4 wheel discs. The new Camaro has these but just doesn't fit the bill because it's a big fat pig, can't see out of the **** thing, has cheap looking interior, and you can't fit anyone in the back seat (might as well buy a Corvette).

Additionally, if you would look through any of the popular hot rod magazines, you will find that there's a huge craze with mucle-car-glory-day guys putting new LS engines (without carbs), wilwood disc brakes, and suspension upgrades in their old camaro, chevelle, nova, etc...

GM US, just doesn't know what the American crowd wants, but it appears that our Aussie brothers get it and know how to design something that we like and want.

The SS deserves it's own unique name to start the beginning of a new legend.

 

[Steve Smith]

Since it's usually mentioned when talking about the new SS, that Chevy hasn't had a full size rear drive V8 powered car since the Impala SS of 1996, I say it should be called an Impala SS.

If the wagon version does eventually get over here, what name would it bear, simply the SS Wagon or SS Estate? :icon_scratch:

 

[KenzSS]

Since it's usually mentioned when talking about the new SS, that Chevy hasn't had a full size rear drive V8 powered car since the Impala SS of 1996, I say it should be called an Impala SS.

If the wagon version does eventually get over here, what name would it bear, simply the SS Wagon or SS Estate? :icon_scratch:

I think they used "Estate" if it had wood-grain sides. When I was a kid we had a Concours Estate wagon w/wood-grain, without it was just a Concours wagon I believe.
So yeah, SS Wagon would be my guess

 

[chevelle freak]

I owned a 68 Chevelle SS 396 and a 69 Chevelle SS 396. I don't know if GM will ever be able to build another car like that.

As for the young man that said, if he had a Chevelle, I would never sell it.
Sometime life gets it the way of our dreams.

So I'm happy they are call it SS. So happy I order one, now life has calmed down.

I won't mind explaining it not an Impala Super Sport or any other Super Sport, just a Super Sport!

 

[Pic18]

What I don't get is how G8 was so well accepted as a vehicle name, yet SS is deemed a problem for this new Chevrolet-branded VF. If it should have a name, Commodore would be fine--Chevy has long used names that started with the letter "C", but not exclusively. It's not a retro car, so Chevelle is just not suitable, IMO, but everyone will have their own take on that.

The G8 name was not very well accepted in the Pontiac community at first. People wanted it to be called Grand Prix, or Bonneville. The whole G naming was hated by just about all Pontiac enthusiasts. Eventually when the car came over, it started to win people over.

The car brought respect to the name. I suspect the same will eventually happen for the SS

 

[DanielSS-V]

The best way to avoid any negative links to past nameplates was to simply call it Commodore SS.

 

[admonite]

I agree. Call it Commodore. Then if they bring lower trim variants it is easier to clarify. An SS SV6 SportWagon is inside out. Commodore works. We definitely don't need Vauxhall's VXKR8 or whatever it is though. These complete alphabet cars aren't as friendly to me.

 

[Commodoreman2000]

I just thought it would be good to ask the question again now that the car is on the ground and in peoples drive ways. As I remember when the name was first announced there was a whole rukus over "It needs a name"

if they bought the wagon over I would assume it would be just called the SS Sportwagon for simplicity

 

[KenzSS]

if they bought the wagon over I would assume it would be just called the SS Sportwagon for simplicity

Or SS Sportwagon Estate if it has wood-grain sides........hee hee, just kidding