Super Sport
Super Sport~ , or S, is an option offered by Chevrolet on several of its vehicles since 1961. The models the best known ones raising the badge S are the Camaro, Chevelle, El Camino, the Impala and Nova. During its introduction in 1961, the option S was only one option offering a more sporting appearance for the vehicles. However, in 1966, the Super Sport started to offer more powerful engines, in addition to keeping the esthetic side. All the models S are equipped with a badge raising the letters S or the words Super Sports for the oldest models. Until 1994, the versions S were available only on vehicles to two doors, but since this time, the option is available on a great range of vehicle, passing from the trucks four doors (like Cobalt S) to the pick-ups (Silverado S) and the commercial vehicles sports (Trail Blazer S). As well from the past as currently, the options S offered tires of high efficiency, a suspension sport, often a more powerful engine, and other options improving the performance and appearance of the vehicle.
First models Super Sport
It is into 1961 that Chevrolet offers for the very first time the option Super Sport on a vehicle of production. The vehicle in question is Impala, and the option S cost at the time 54$. Since 1963, Nova S becomes available and in 1964 Chevelle Malibu is added. To add to the sporting factor of the S, only the vehicles of the cut type and convertible are sold with the option S.
Since 1967, with the arrival of the Camaro, the name Super Sport is gradually abandoned to use only the letters S. One year later, it is with the tower of El Camino to join the family of the S.
The S and the crisis of oil
In 1974 the name S-3 is adopted on several vehicle instead of S for two reasons. The first being that the vehicles S are synonymous with great power, and thus of great petrol consumption. However, the crisis of oil makes so that people seek vehicles consuming less gasoline, and the S lose a little their attraction (no matter what the S-3 vehicles were always also powerful). The other reason was that the costs of insurance were more expensive for a vehicle S, it does not matter their power, due only to the reputation of the S. It will be necessary to await El Camino S in 1978 so that the range S is of return in the Chevrolet dealers.
The S and the NASCAR
Years 1980 are great years for Chevrolet on the tracks of race NASCAR. The vehicles coursant on circuit NASCAR must be only equipped with elements of production. Chevrolet wanting to improve the mark on the circuit thus decided, in 1983, to produce a version S of Monte Carlo which was in fact the version which was used in Nascar. Thus, as the vehicle was on sale in the dealers, and that it was already equipped for courser, all the parts were in production and Monte Carlo S became one of the legendary figures of the NASCAR of the years 1980, propelling Chevrolet at the top of the circuit (Chevrolet gained the cut of the manufacturer into 1983,1984,1985,1986 and 1987). 200 Monte Carlo S were produced in order to fulfill the requirements of circuit NASCAR in 1986.
The years 1990
Years 1990 see the end of the models El Camino and Monte Carlo, which were the two only models to bear the name S. Chevrolet thus launches a version S for a record player, a first. C1500 can be equipped with an option sport called the 454 S.
It is necessary to wait until 1994 so that the vehicles S are of return in the Chevrolet dealers. The Chevrolet Caprice is then offered in top-of-the-range version, called Impala S. It is acted in fact of a civil version of the Whim equipped with the police force pack, available only in black, and until 1996.
Years 1990 see also the return of Camaro S in 1996. Been driven by a V8 engine of 303 horsepowers, this model is first Camaro to exceed the 300 horsepowers. To celebrate the 30 years of Camaro in 1997, a special model Z28 S is sold with engine LT4 V8 of the Corvette which produces 330 horsepowers. Only 105 versions of this vehicle birthday were produced.
Except for Camaro S, the years 1990 are not very exciting for the amateurs of the vehicles Super Sports.
The years 2000
The entry in the new millenium is done very well for the S with Camaro S always on sale. As Camaro was abandoned in 2002, the models S quickly became snuffed collectors and amateurs of Camaro and Chevrolet.
In 2003, Chevrolet launches a version S of the Silverado record player. Moreover, with the Motor Show of Strait this same year is lance the new concept S which will equip a whole range with vehicles. The message is clear: the S are always in life.
It is into 2005 that the models S return in great number in the dealers, with Cobalt S, Malibu S, Malibu Maxx S, Impala S, Monte Carlo S, Trail Blazer S, and Silverado S.
References
The page of Chevrolet Canada presenting the models S