"As cool as Chevrolet’s retro-cruiser might look, critics of the SSR point to its excess weight, saying it’s under-powered and lacks the handling ability expected of a sport truck. American Specialty Cars, having worked with Chevy to design, develop and build SSR, is uniquely suited to take this truck to the next level.

The Blackbird 425 features a host of performance and aesthetic changes that address many of the stock SSR’s more mundane characteristics. Named after the U.S. Air Force’s SR-71 Cold War spy plane and for the 425 hp underhood, this SSR’s stock 5.3-liter V8 gets forced-induction help from a Magnuson Roots-type supercharger rated at six pounds of boost. The cold-air intake integrated with the stock hood and the dual exhaust system (with custom tips) increase airflow through the powerplant, dramatically improving throttle response and overall thrust."

Read the full story at AutoWeek