Brand New 12-Mile Chevy 454 SS Emerges From Storage After 35 Years | Carscoops

      Classic muscle truck featuring a 7.4-liter V8 still retains its original pre-delivery covers and vintage tires.

      February 15, 2025, at 19:18

      

      by Chris Chilton

      

      A remarkably low-mileage Chevrolet performance truck is set to go to auction.

      The 454 SS pickup was purchased new in 1990 and has only traveled 12 miles.

      Chevy’s robust 7.4-liter V8 engine was rated at 230 hp and produces 385 lb-ft of torque.

      While modern small-capacity turbocharged engines are impressive, do you ever wish for a large motor with big cylinders, abundant torque, minimal turbo lag, and ease of repair in your garage? If that appeals to you, continue reading, as this pristine, untouched vintage Chevy big-block truck is searching for a new owner.

      This fourth-generation C1500 was ordered in 1990 with the 454 SS package, which for that inaugural year featured enhanced suspension, mandatory Onyx Black paint, and a striking Garnet Red Interior, whose seats remain encased in plastic due to the truck's mere 11.7 miles (19 km) of usage since new.

      Related: 9-Mile 1990 Chevy 454 SS Remains Wrapped in Original Plastics

      The standout feature is the massive V8 engine under the hood, referenced by the flashy ‘454’ graphics on the tailgate. Although it wasn’t a unique engine, being taken directly from GM’s heavy-duty trucks of the period, the 7.4-liter V8 (454 cu-in) produced 230 hp (233 PS), only 20 hp (20 PS) shy of a Corvette's 5.7 from the same year.

      In terms of torque, which is essential for muscle trucks, even the Corvette’s 350 lb-ft (475 Nm) at 3,200 rpm couldn't compete with the 454’s power: 385 lb-ft (522 Nm) at just 1,900 rpm. This muscle was transmitted through a three-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels, enabling the SS to reach 60 mph (97 km/h) in approximately 7.7 seconds.

      While this performance may not seem extraordinary today, especially compared to the more renowned and smaller turbocharged GMC Syclone capable of that sprint in under 5 seconds, it was an impressive achievement for a large truck in 1990. Subsequent models improved their time to nearly 7 seconds thanks to a 25 hp (25 PS) increase, a more advanced four-speed automatic, and a shorter final drive.

      This truck sold new at H&K Motor Sales in Continental, Ohio, but has never undergone its pre-delivery inspection and appears to have been kept in storage for many years. The original 275/60 15 BF Goodrich Comp T/A tires are likely as useful as driving on the rims by now.

      However, it’s unlikely the new owner will replace those aged tires for something newer and safer since it will likely serve as a static display. While this is unfortunate, it also spares the new owner from grappling with a 10 mpg fuel economy.

      More: Brand New 1990 Camaro IROC Z 1LE Found in Basement After 35 Years

      If you're interested in owning this truck, it will be auctioned at Mecum’s Glendale sale in March. You can find the listing here. Alternatively, if you prefer something similar that you won't feel guilty about putting some miles on, you can find examples with 40,000 miles (64,000 km) priced around $30-40k on classic car websites.