90s Lumina SS??

[duhtroll]

OK on my way to reharsal tonight a red Chevy Lumina (looked like late 90s) with "Lumina SS" stickers all over it and a large white bow tie in the back window (which was tinted), pulled up next to me at a light and began revving. He had some sort of aftermarket exhaust I think - certainly not what would come on a normal Lumina. Single exhaust, though it was loud.

Of course we were in the middle of our "snowstorm" and there were several other cars around so I did not even think of racing given that the road was curved, covered in slush, and only a 30MPH zone anyway. I would *really* like to meet up with this guy when the weather is nice sometime.

My question is (or rather a confirmation of my hunch):

Is this "Lumina SS" simply a sticker job? I've never heard of one and thought the "SS" moniker didn't exist past the Impalas of the era.

I did look at his car and laugh, though. One because he had no idea what he was doing by challenging me - like poking a dragon in the eye with a stick - and two because he wanted to race on slush. I suppose three because his car looked like a ricer version of a Chevy.

I will make it a point to drive around there more often and see if he reappears. Probably some college kid who needs a lesson.

Anyone know about these "Lumina SS" things?

Thanks,
-A

[Donny Carlson]

What you saw was likely a rice-a-fication of a late 90's Lumina.

It turns out there IS a Lumina SS model, but it is (was) sold only in the Mid East. Basically, Chevrolet took the Holden Monaro (which is the basis for the new GTO), shoved a Corvette engine into it, and voila, a rocket ship designed for SA. BTW, the SS was launched as a 2002 model.

Here's an excerpt from an article about the car, and I'll post some pixs.

"AMERICAN motor manufacturer Chevrolet will launch its new Lumina SS saloon in SA this month, a move aimed at re-establishing the company's position in the SA automotive industry.

Ed Moorman, director of General Motors African Operations, says research shows the Chevrolet brand in SA has a heritage of powerful, bold, dependable and family-orientated vehicles.

"We believe the Lumina SS, with the Chevrolet Corvette V-8 engine, embodies this Chevrolet heritage for the new SA."

Using the 5,7l alloy V-8 engine shared by the Corvette, the Lumina SS is a rear-wheel drive machine delivering outstanding performance, design and safety for a luxury car, Moorman says.

Jim Cnossen, GM Africa's marketing manager, says that with sequential fuel injection (SFI), the Lumina SS accelerates from 0-100km/h in 6,5 seconds.

SFI optimises fuel economy and power output through its high-precision fuel control, which uses one injector and nozzle per cylinder for optimum cylinder-to-cylinder fuel distribution, he says.

The design helps to give the engine outstanding durability, and reduces noise and vibration. Lightweight aluminium cylinder heads optimise engine airflow, to enhance overall performance.

The Lumina features platinum-tipped spark plugs, extended-life automatic transmission fluid and extended-life engine coolant which do not require maintenance until 160000km or five years, whichever comes first.

It is available with a fourspeed automatic transmission with overdrive or a six-speed manual transmission with a selfadjusting hydraulic clutch system needing minimal effort. "

[Donny Carlson]

This shot from the rear shows the "SS" stickers. Note the temporary "diplomatic service" tags.

[Donny Carlson]

This is a close up shot of the extremely nice 5.7 litre V8. I am jealous as hell.

[Donny Carlson]

Another view of the engine. My guess why this car was never made available in the us? Well, the price (delivered in Saudia Arabia) was US $27,000, and it would have overshadowed the GTO, which is also based on the Holden Monaro. Only GTO's are priced, what, $32K?

[Donny Carlson]

Last one. This is a Chevrolet print ad in Arabic.

[bigslim]

That isn't the car he saw. The car he saw was a two door version of the Lumina sedan. It was made in the early 90's and had Chevy's first multi-valve engine. It had about 180 hp. It was the forerunner to the Monte Carlo.

[Bigdogjim]

Well just keep in mind one thing.... Like our "stock" Marauders you never know what this 'kid' did to it????

have fun...............:):):)

[mdmarauder]

Could it have been a 90's Lumina Z34? They had a 3.4 DOHC v6
if I remember correctly. The Monte Carlo replaced it.

[duhtroll]

Right, that new model is not what I saw - the one I saw was the bigger 2-door 90s version.

If it's a stock c.180 HP, I don't think it matters what he did to it.

If he did all the things that would be necessary to beat me, I doubt he would be out driving it in the snow. There would be too much financial investment. I'll make a bet he hasn't done anything other than a muffler and/or exhaust tip.

If I am able to find out firsthand I will definitely let everyone know.

Thanks,
-A

[Racerx88]

I agree with mdmarauder, it sounds like it was a Z34. They had a 3.4 DOHC V6, like he said. Real dogs from a standing start, but once you got them going, they'd haul ass. How do I know? I had once the first year they were out. Further confirmation would be a large flat wing standing about 3" off the trunk lid, and body cladding similiar to the 3rd generation IROC Camaro's. Main problem with the car was the front wheel drive. Maybe the guy did a repaint, and put the SS stickers on instead of the originals? Did it look like these http://www.geocities.com/luminaz34page/ ?

[duhtroll]

I dunno Racer --

That link brings up a "sorry" message from Yahoo. I think I know what you mean and it did not have a big wing - just a small spoiler.

-A

[Racerx88]

Try it again. http://www.geocities.com/luminaz34page/

[duhtroll]

Yep - that looks a lot like what I saw. "Mine" looked more like a regular stock version that had stickers added, though.

No worries, then. It's slow. :)

Thanks,
-A

[Ross]

Chevy produced that car with a Corvette engine, but only a single exhaust? Seems kind of counter productive to me.

[duhtroll]

No - this ain't the one with the vette engine. That would be the 2002-04 version not released in the US. The one I am referring to has a 210 HP v6. In other words, cake.

-A

[Ross]

I was talking about the pics of the foreign Chevy posted above. It has a Vette engine, but the pics show a single exhaust.

[woaface]

The U.S. GTO Car and Driver tested, had a single exhaust also. Looked stupid...but otherwise spiffy.

[Petrograde]

:lol: when did chevy put a vacuum cleaner under the hood?

Tom

[jgc61sr2002]

Originally posted by woaface
The U.S. GTO Car and Driver tested, had a single exhaust also. Looked stupid...but otherwise spiffy. The new GTO has a true dual exhaust system, the only problem is that both pipes exit from the same side. Doesn't look that good IMO.:(

[BlackHole]

Originally posted by Ross
Chevy produced that car with a Corvette engine, but only a single exhaust? Seems kind of counter productive to me.

Well the 2004 GTO is the same way don't remember if the tip is on the driver or passanger side.:confused:

[bigslim]

GTO, tip is on the left too.

[CRUZTAKER]

There is kid in my neighborhood with an older lumina, he has somehow managed to install dual exhaust. After many sightings, I came across him on the interstate. Oddly enough, it was on the way home from the Rush Columbus meet. I toyed with him in the fashion a cat plays with a mouse before he kills it. The end result, his car was a dog....with dual exhaust. He is no longer an issue in my neighborhood.

[bigslim]

The Lumina came with dual exhaust on the Z34 models. They had a dual overhead cam engine too. I think it was good for 210hp.

[RF Overlord]

I saw one of these near my home about a year or two ago...I laughed like hell...thought it was just another cosmetic package...until I looked it up on the 'net...check this (http://www.thrashercharged.com/Monte_Carlo_htm/monte_carlo.shtm) out...

[Dr Caleb]

A travesty. Why can't they just let The Man die?

[duhtroll]

I agree on the appearance issue, but I don't think I would wanna run up against that thing.

I would say that if their numbers don't lie they have done a good job - except the stickers, etc. on the outside.

Thanks,
-A

[TooManyFords]

So, do you surf the site while at school?? :D

[TAF]

I saw one of these near my home about a year or two ago...I laughed like hell...thought it was just another cosmetic package...until I looked it up on the 'net...check this (http://www.thrashercharged.com/Monte_Carlo_htm/monte_carlo.shtm) out...
Wait till Joey sees THIS!!!:banana2:

[jgc61sr2002]

RF - I saw one yesterday and didn't know what is was.