One of the many challenges potential buyers face in their quest to locate a classic is finding one that has been appropriately maintained. The market is awash with vehicles that are a hit-or-miss proposition, but the news looks positive with this 1990 Chevrolet 454 SS Pickup. This muscle truck has spent its life in the hands of mature owners who have treated it respectfully. It isn’t a low-mileage trailer queen but a vehicle ready to be driven and enjoyed by its new owner. If you are prepared to admit a muscle truck into your life, you will find the Chevy listed here on eBay in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The seller has set a BIN of $26,000 but leaves the option for interested parties to make an offer. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this beauty.

Introduced for the 1990 model year, buyers could order their new 454 SS in any shade they liked, as long as it was Onyx Black. That remained the case for the following year, but the company added Summit White and Victory Red in 1992. It followed the traditional route when creating the 454 SS, taking a garden-variety C1500 Pickup and adding some automotive tinsel. Some of this was subtle, like the twin exterior mirrors from the Cheyenne parts bin, blacked-out grille with a contrasting red bow-tie badge, a front air dam with integrated foglights, and a contrasting set of chrome wheels. The graphics added to the bed exterior were less subtle, leaving no doubt about the Pickup’s identity. This one presents well, with no significant flaws or issues with the paint or panels. It has been garage-kept throughout its life, making its rust-free status no surprise. The bed cover is a later and practical addition, while the factory wheels have made way for aftermarket alloys. The owner includes another set of wheels, but it isn’t clear whether they are the factory items. The trim looks good for its age, and the glass has no problems.

The 454 SS was not merely a styling exercise because Chevrolet tried to slot what was considered some genuine muscle under the hood by the standard of the day. However, they didn’t simply bolt in a bigger engine and cross their finders. The engine bay houses a 454ci V8 that sends its power to the 3.73 locking rear end via a THM-400 automatic transmission. Power steering was an integral part of the package, as were power brakes with anti-lock on the rear wheels. Chevrolet added steering improvements, a larger front sway bar, and Bilstein shocks. That big-block should pump out 230hp and 385 ft/lbs of torque. At 4,420lbs, the Pickup is not the lightest classic on the block. That makes its ability to launch from 0-60mph in 7.7 seconds and cover the ¼ mile in 15.9 seconds look impressive in a 1990 context. Interestingly, GMC followed a different path the following year with its Syclone model. It offered buyers far better performance, but it fell down in two crucial areas. The sticker price of a Syclone was considerably higher than that of the 454 SS. More crucially, the Syclone’s load limit was 500lbs, while it couldn’t tow more than 2,000lbs. There were no such constraints with the 454 SS, making it a more practical vehicle. That isn’t to say it was perfect because its fuel consumption figures are legendary. These were claimed to be 10mpg in the city and 11mpg at highway speeds, but those who sold these classics new will argue those figures. They say the reality is closer to 6mpg. This classic is a bit on the thirsty side as a daily driver! For those seeking a turnkey classic, this Pickup seems to deliver. The seller states it has been meticulously maintained, and the engine bay photos reveal no evidence of long-term fluid leaks or other issues. There is no specific information on how it runs or drives, but the fact they encourage an in-person inspection suggests they have nothing to hide.

In keeping with its “any color as long as its Onyx Black” approach with the Pickup’s exterior, the company offered the 454 SS with an interior trimmed in Garnet Red. Feedback from previous articles indicates this choice polarizes opinion, but none will say it isn’t distinctive. This interior shows no signs of physical abuse, and I would describe its overall appearance as being of good driver quality. Some plastic pieces show minor deterioration, but there’s nothing crumbling to dust. I can’t see any other additions besides the cup holder armrest. Considering the era, the interior is nicely equipped. The buyer receives air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.

During a four-year production run, Chevrolet sold 16,953 examples of its 454 SS Pickup. Incredibly, 13,748 of those rolled off the line in the 1990 model year alone. When new, it would have cost its original owner around $18,200. Allowing for inflation, that equates to $41,250 today. On the face of it, that suggests it has not been a particularly good long-term investment. However, the worm may be turning because values have climbed recently. It is common for pristine low-mileage examples to sell for beyond $50,000, and I have found a few recent examples with three-digit odometer readings that have topped $65,000. This 454 SS doesn’t fulfill either of those criteria, but it is a tidy driver-quality Pickup. The BIN figure looks in the ballpark, although a respectful offer may see someone drive away for a lower figure. I won’t be surprised if that happens. If so, what do you think the price will be?