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61-444: The Chevrolet SSR ( S uper S port R oadster) is a retro-styled retractable hardtop convertible pickup truck manufactured by Chevrolet between 2003 and 2006. The 2003 and 2004 model years used General Motors' 5.3  L 300  hp Vortec 5300 V8 . Performance was 7.7 seconds for 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) with a 15.9 second 1 ⁄ 4 mile (402.3 m) run at 86.4 mph (139.0 km/h). For

122-421: A saddle blanket or pad in order to provide a comfortable fit for the horse. It also has sturdier stirrups and uses a cinch rather than a girth . Its most distinctive feature is the horn on the front of the saddle, originally used to dally a lariat when roping cattle. Other nations such as Australia and Argentina have stock saddles that usually do not have a horn, but have other features commonly seen in

183-730: A sword , spare horse shoes and other equipment. In the US, the McClellan saddle was introduced in the 1850s by George B. McClellan for use by the United States Cavalry , and the core design was used continuously, with some improvements, until the 1940s. Today, the McClellan saddle continues to be used by ceremonial mounted units in the U.S. Army. The basic design that inspired McClellan saw use by military units in several other nations, including Rhodesia and Mexico, and even to

244-534: A V-shaped arrangement of strap billets on the sideboards for the attachment of the girth. This girthing system could be moved forward or back to obtain an optimum fit on a wide range of horses. From 1902 the Universal Military Saddle was manufactured with a fixed tree, broad panels to spread the load, and initially a front arch in three sizes. The advantage of this saddle was its lightness, ease of repair and comfort for horse and rider. From 1912

305-488: A base of wood with a thin leather covering that frequently has a lacquer finish. Central Asian saddles have no pad and must be ridden with a saddle blanket. The horn comes in particular good use during the rough horseback sport of buskashi , played throughout Central Asia, which involves two teams of riders wrestling over a decapitated goat's carcass. In the Near East, a saddle large enough to carry more than one person

366-589: A chrome strip that mimicked the line of curved fenders. Exner later transferred the concept to the newly formed Stutz Motor Company brand, whose Blackhawk range was referred to as the Revival Car in the United States. The 1980 Cadillac Seville referenced the Hooper tail of the 1950s and the 1983 Lincoln Mark VII had a hint of a spare wheel bulge in the trunk lid. Retro design reached its first peak with

427-463: A cruise control, among other features. Options were few, but included the General Motors (GM) OnStar in-vehicle telematics system, polished cast-aluminum wheels, Teak decking and metal strakes for the rear cargo compartment area, rear onboard storage saddle bags, SSR-embroidered carpeted floor mats, dual power-adjustable bucket seats with driver's seat memory, an AM/FM stereo radio with

488-706: A degree by the British in the Boer War . Military saddles are still produced and are now used in exhibitions, parades and other events. Saddles in Asia date to the time of the Scythians and Cimmerians . Modern Asian saddles can be divided into two groups: those from nomadic Eurasia, which have a prominent horn and leather covering, and those from East Asia, which have a high pommel and cantle. Central Asian saddles are noted for their wide seats and high horns. The saddle has

549-442: A four-speaker audio system, carpeted floor mats, 19-inch front and 20-inch rear tires and cast-aluminum wheels, a body-colored rear tonneau cover, a power-retractable hardtop convertible roof, carpeted flooring for the interior and rear cargo compartment area, a driver information center, dual-zone manual air conditioning, a power-adjustable driver's seat, dual front SRS airbags , a leather-wrapped, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, and

610-618: A leather covering. Japanese saddles are classified as Chinese-style ( karagura ) or Japanese-style ( yamatogura ). In the Nara period the Chinese style was adopted. Gradually the Japanese changed the saddle to suit their needs, and in the Heian period , the saddle typically associated with the samurai class was developed. These saddles, known as kura , were lacquered as protection from

671-688: A modern interpretation of the Shelby Cobra . This idea would later morph into the Dodge Viper . The Viper helped positively shape the American public's opinion on the Chrysler Corporation, prompting Lutz to further experiment with retro design, with early examples including the 1994 Dodge Ram , with styling inspired by previous Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks, and the 1995 Chrysler Atlantic , inspired by various art-deco cars of

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732-571: A pommel and cantle with detachable bone/horn/hardened leather facings, leather thongs, a crupper , breastplate , and a felt shabrack adorned with animal motifs. These were located in Pazyryk burials finds. These saddles, found in the Ukok Plateau , Siberia were dated to 500-400 BC. Iconographic evidence of a predecessor to the modern saddle has been found in the art of the ancient Armenians , Assyrians , and steppe nomads depicted on

793-417: A problem, as shorter trees are most often on saddles made for children, though a short tree with an unbalanced adult rider may create abnormal pressure points. While a horse's back can be measured for size and shape, the saddle must be tried on the individual animal to assure proper fit. Saddle blankets or pads can provide assistance to correct minor fit problems, as well as provide comfort and protection to

854-512: A properly conditioned horse and rider. British Universal Pattern military saddles were used by the mounted forces from Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa . The Steel Arch Universal Pattern Mark I was issued in 1891. This was found to irritate riders and in 1893 it was discontinued in favour of the Mark II . In 1898, the Mark III appeared, which had the addition of

915-420: A six-disc, in-dash CD changer, XM Satellite Radio , and a Bose six-speaker premium audio system with an amplifier, steering wheel-mounted audio system and OnStar controls, color-keyed interior accent trim, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, and an auxiliary center gauge package. Many of these options were part of the 1SB Equipment Package, which replaced the standard 1SA Equipment Package. An attempt

976-532: A solid tree nor stirrups, these early treeless saddles and pads provided protection and comfort to the rider, with a slight increase in security. The Sarmatians also used a padded treeless early saddle, possibly as early as the seventh century BC and ancient Greek artworks of Alexander the Great of Macedon depict a saddle cloth. The Greeks called the saddlecloth or pad, ephippium (ἐφίππιον or ἐφίππειον). Early solid-treed saddles were made of felt that covered

1037-408: A western saddle, including a deep seat, high cantle, and heavier leather. The tree of a western saddle is the most critical component, defining the size and shape of the finished product. The tree determines both the width and length of the saddle as it sits on the back of the horse, as well as the length of the seat for the rider, width of the swells (pommel), height of cantle, and, usually, shape of

1098-764: A wooden frame. Chinese saddles are depicted among the cavalry horses in the Terracotta Army of the Qin dynasty , completed by 206 BC. Asian designs proliferated during China 's Han dynasty around approximately 200 BC. One of the earliest solid-treed saddles in the Western world was the "four horn" design, first used by the Romans as early as the 1st century BC. Neither design had stirrups. Recent archeological finds in Mongolia (e.g. Urd Ulaan Uneet site) suggest that

1159-402: Is a Neoclassic , a modern car made to resemble one from the 1920s-1930's. Technically, retro cars can differ greatly from the historical models they reference. As early as 1961, American designer Virgil Exner used elements of classic automobile design for the new models of Chrysler's top brand Imperial . The 1961 Imperials had free-standing headlights, and the sides of the cars featured

1220-435: Is a vital rule for fitting that no damage should occur to the horse's skin and no injury should be presented to any muscular or neural tissues beneath the saddle. Width of the saddle is the primary means by which a saddle is measured and fitted to a horse, though length of the tree and proper balance must also be considered. The gullet of a saddle must clear the withers of the horse, but yet must not be so narrow as to pinch

1281-409: Is an art and in ideal circumstances is performed by a professional saddle maker or saddle fitter. Custom-made saddles designed for an individual horse and rider will fit the best, but are also the most expensive. However, many manufactured saddles provide a decent fit if properly selected, and some minor adjustments can be made. The definition of a fitting saddle is still controversial; however, there

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1342-647: Is associated with the Subeixi Culture, which is associated with the Jushi Kingdom described in later Chinese sources. The Subeixi people had contact with Scythians, and share a similar material culture with the Pazyryk culture , where later saddles were found. Eurasian and Northern Asian nomads on the Mongolian plateau developed an early form of saddle with a rudimentary frame, which included two parallel leather cushions, with girth attached to them,

1403-458: Is called a howdah which is fitted on elephants. Some of the largest examples of a saddle, elaborate howdah were used in warfare outfitted with weaponry, and alternatively for monarchs, maharajahs, and sultans. Saddles from East Asia differ from Central Asian saddles by their high pommel and cantle and lack of a horn. East Asian saddles can be divided into several types that are associated with certain nationalities and ethnic groups. Saddles used by

1464-510: Is considerable friction across the center line of a horse's back. The stirrup was one of the milestones in saddle development. The first stirrup-like object was invented in India in the 2nd century BC, and consisted of a simple leather strap in which the rider's toe was placed. It offered very little support, however. Mongolic Rouran tribes in Mongolia are thought to have been the inventors of

1525-454: Is its flatter appearance, the lack of a horn, and the self-padding design of the panels : a pair of pads attached to the underside of the seat and filled with wool, foam, or air. However, the length and angle of the flaps, the depth of the seat and height of the cantle all play a role in the use for which a particular saddle is intended. The "tree" that underlies the saddle is usually one of the defining features of saddle quality. Traditionally,

1586-790: The Australian stock saddle . In Asia and throughout the world, there are numerous saddles of unique designs used by various nationalities and ethnic groups. English saddles are used for English riding throughout the world, not just in England or English-speaking countries. They are the saddles used in all of the Olympic equestrian disciplines. The term English saddle encompasses several different styles of saddle, including those used for eventing , show jumping and hunt seat , dressage , saddle seat , horse racing , horse surfing and polo . The major distinguishing feature of an English saddle

1647-791: The Daihatsu Mira or the Subaru Vivio , have also been popular since the 1990s. The success of retro design in Japan is also due to the kawaii aesthetic. In 1994, a new version of the Volkswagen Beetle was presented as the “Volkswagen Concept one” study at the Detroit Motor Show. Since the reactions of trade fair visitors were positive, the concept was brought to the market in 1998 as the New Beetle , based on

1708-752: The Golf IV and without the typical Beetle rear engine. In Europe, this is considered the beginning of the retro wave, continuing in 1999 with the Jaguar S-Type , in 2000 with the Mini , in 2007 with the Fiat 500 and in 2009 with the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG . American companies, notably Chrysler , were also experimenting with retro design throughout the 1990s. American retro design can be traced back to when car designer Bob Lutz intended to create

1769-685: The Han Chinese are noted by their use of inlay work for ornamentation. Tibetan saddles typically employ iron covers inlaid with precious metals on the pommel and cantle and universally come with padding. Mongolian saddles are similar to the Tibetan style except that they are typically smaller and the seat has a high ridge. Saddles from ethnic minority groups in China's southwest, such as in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, have colorful lacquer work over

1830-749: The Lancia Thesis consist of a mix of classic and modern design elements, without citing any specific historical vehicle. Despite a fall in popularity, retro design has made a comeback in the early 2020s, with cars such as the Renault 5 EV and Ford Bronco being developed. Saddle The word "saddle" originates from the Old English word sadol which in turn comes from the Proto-Germanic language * sathulaz , with cognates in various other Indo-European languages , including

1891-637: The Mazda MX-5 , which in its first form from 1989 to 1998, referenced the Lotus Elan from 1962 and was considered the first newly designed roadster in decades.  Between 1989 and 1991, Nissan produced the retro-inspired 'Pike Cars'; the Nissan Be-1 , Nissan Pao , Nissan Figaro and Nissan S-Cargo in limited production, which are often credited as pioneers of the retro design trend. In Japan, retro packages for various small car models, such as

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1952-409: The 18th century, fox hunting became increasingly popular in England. The high-cantle, high-pommel design of earlier saddles became a hindrance, unsafe and uncomfortable for riders as they jumped. Due to this fact, Guérinière's saddle design which included a low pommel and cantle and allowed for more freedom of movement for both horse and rider, became increasingly popular throughout northern Europe. In

2013-650: The 1930s. Later American examples of retro design include the Plymouth Prowler in the style of a hot rod , the Chrysler PT Cruiser modelled on limousines of the 1930s and the Ford Thunderbird from 2003. An important designer of retro cars is J Mays . According to experts, retro design has brought back emotionality in automobile design. At the beginning of the 2000s, retro design developed into new classic design . Vehicles like

2074-576: The 2005 model year, the SSR used the 390 hp (291 kW) LS2 V8 also found in the C6 Corvette , Trailblazer SS, and Pontiac GTO , and also offered a manual transmission option, the six-speed Tremec , for the first time.. Performance improved dramatically with the LS2; the 6-speed manual version had an advertised 0–60 mph (97 km/h) time of 5.29 seconds. In addition, GM badges were added to

2135-735: The Assyrian stone relief carvings from the time of Ashurnasirpal II . Some of the earliest saddle-like equipment were fringed cloths or pads used by Assyrian cavalry around 700 BC. These were held on with a girth or surcingle that included breast straps and cruppers . From the earliest depictions, saddles became status symbols . To show off an individual's wealth and status, embellishments were added to saddles, including elaborate sewing and leather work, precious metals such as gold, carvings of wood and horn, and other ornamentation. The Scythians also developed an early saddle that included padding and decorative embellishments. Though they had neither

2196-553: The Latin sella . Some saddles also include: There is evidence, though disputed, that humans first began riding the horse not long after domestication , possibly as early as 4000 BC. The earliest saddle known thus far was discovered inside a woman's tomb in the Turpan basin , in what is now Xinjiang , China , dating to between 727–396 BC. The saddle is made of cushioned cow hide, and shows signs of usage and repair. The tomb

2257-630: The Mongolic Rouran tribes had sophisticated, wooden frame saddles as early as the 3rd century AD. The wooden frame saddle found at the Urd Ulaan Uneet site in Mongolia is one of the earliest examples found in Central and East Asia. The development of the solid saddle tree was significant; it raised the rider above the horse's back, and distributed the rider's weight on either side of the animal's spine instead of pinpointing pressure at

2318-444: The early 1990s and led to almost all automobile brands introducing models that referenced previous cars of the 1950s and 1960s. Retro design usually references iconic classic vehicles. Another form of adopting classic style elements comes in the form of Revival Cars , with manufacturers such as Jaguar , Aston Martin , Alvis , Allard and Lister producing reproductions of classic models. Another example of classic inspired design

2379-686: The early 20th century, Captain Frederico Caprilli revolutionized the jumping saddle by placing the flap at an angle that allowed a rider to achieve the forward seat necessary for jumping high fences and traveling rapidly across rugged terrain. The modern Western saddle was developed from the Spanish saddles that were brought by the Spanish Conquistadors when they came to the Americas . These saddles were adapted to suit

2440-739: The factory that made the SSR. On November 21, 2005, GM announced that it would close the Craft Center in mid-2006, implying the production ending for the SSR. The final SSR, a unique black-on-silver model (Highest VIN 1GCES14H06B126138), was built on March 17, 2006. Analysts estimate that 24,150 SSRs were produced in total. Of the total production, 24,112 were available for sale to the public. The Chevrolet SSR offered many luxury amenities as standard equipment. Standard equipment on all SSR's included power windows and door locks, keyless entry, luxury leather-trimmed bucket seats, front side SRS airbags , an AM/FM stereo radio with cassette and CD players and

2501-437: The horn. Traditional trees were made of wood or wood laminate covered with rawhide and this style is still manufactured today, though modern synthetic materials are also used. The rawhide is stretched and molded around the tree, with minimal padding between the tree and the exterior leather, usually a bit of relatively thin padding on the seat, and a sheepskin cover on the underside of the skirts to prevent chafing and rubbing on

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2562-407: The horse's back, but no amount of padding can compensate for a poor-fitting saddle. For example, saddles that are either too wide or too narrow for the horse will cause change in pressure points and ultimately muscle atrophy in the epaxial muscles . The common problems associated with saddle fitting problems are: bridging, ill-fitting headplates and incorrect stuffing of the panels. Depending on

2623-441: The horse's back. The tree must be positioned so that the tree points (English) or bars (Western) do not interfere with the movement of the horse's shoulder. The seat of the saddle must be positioned so that the rider, when riding correctly, is placed over the horse's center of balance . The bars of the saddle must not be so long that they place pressure beyond the last rib of the horse. A too-short tree alone does not usually create

2684-421: The horse. Though a western saddle is often considerably heavier than an English saddle, the tree is designed to spread out the weight of the rider and any equipment the rider may be carrying so that there are fewer pounds per square inch on the horse's back and, when properly fitted, few if any pressure points. Thus, the design, in spite of its weight, can be used for many hours with relatively little discomfort to

2745-450: The integrated spring steel and gullet plate, some without). Synthetic materials vary widely in quality. Polyurethane trees are often very well-made, but some cheap saddles are made with fiberglass trees of limited durability. Synthetic trees are often lighter, more durable, and easier to customize. Some designs are intended to be more flexible and move with the horse. Several companies offer flexible trees or adjustable gullets that allow

2806-457: The modern English and Western saddles. One variant of the English saddle was developed by François Robinchon de la Guérinière , a French riding master and author of "Ecole de Cavalerie" who made major contributions to what today is known as classical dressage . He put great emphasis on the proper development of a "three point" seat that is still used today by many dressage riders. In

2867-516: The modern stirrup, but the first dependable representation of a rider with paired stirrups was found in China in a Jin Dynasty tomb of about 302 AD. The stirrup appeared to be in widespread use across China by 477 AD, and later spread to Europe. This invention gave great support for the rider, and was essential in later warfare . Accounts of the cavalry system of the Mali Empire describe

2928-441: The needs of vaqueros and cowboys of Mexico, Texas and California , including the addition of a horn that allowed a lariat to be tied or dallied for the purpose of holding cattle and other livestock. In the Western world there are two basic types of saddles used today for horseback riding , usually called the English saddle and the "stock" saddle. The best known stock saddle is the American western saddle , followed by

2989-583: The pickup, namely the front fenders, was made with deep draw stampings, a forming technique that had not been used in automotive stampings in decades, and required a "relearning" of the forming technique. The production model was based on the SuperSport Roadster concept car shown at the 2000 Detroit Auto Show . In contrast to the production vehicle, this concept car used the chassis from the Chevrolet S-10 pickup. An early-production SSR

3050-406: The record. That same year, a 1996 GMC Sonoma put the class record even further out of reach by running nearly 10 mph (16 km/h) faster than the previous record. Retro-style automobile A retro-style automobile is a vehicle that is styled to appear like cars from previous decades. Often these cars use modern technology and production techniques. This design trend developed in

3111-512: The rider's seat bones, reducing the pressure (force per unit area) on any one part of the horse's back, thus greatly increasing the comfort of the horse and prolonging its useful life. The invention of the solid saddle tree also allowed development of the true stirrup as it is known today. Without a solid tree, the rider's weight in the stirrups creates abnormal pressure points and makes the horse's back sore. Thermography studies on "treeless" and flexible tree saddle designs have found that there

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3172-410: The rider, the saddle may need to be adjusted or replaced entirely to ensure proper fitment. Riding a saddle that doesn't properly secure and balance the rider can cause pain in the hips and back, as well as saddle sores under the bones that make contact with the saddle during riding. On horseback, a rider's pelvis may receive a saddle-horn injury due to falling onto the saddle after being bounced into

3233-425: The saddle was built on an adjustable tree and consequently only one size was needed. Its advantage over the fixed tree 1902 pattern was its ability to maintain a better fit on the horse's back as the horse gained or lost weight. This saddle was made using traditional methods and featured a seat blocked from sole leather, which maintained its shape well. Military saddles were fitted with metal staples and dees to carry

3294-432: The same saddle to be used on different sizes of horses. Western saddles are saddles originally designed to be used on horses on working cattle ranches in the United States. Used today in a wide variety of western riding activities, they are the "cowboy saddles" familiar to movie viewers, rodeo fans, and those who have gone on tourist trail rides. The Western saddle has minimal padding of its own, and must be used with

3355-410: The tree of an English saddle is built of laminated layers of high quality wood reinforced with spring steel along its length, with a riveted gullet plate. These trees are semi-adjustable and are considered "spring trees". They have some give, but a minimum amount of flexibility. More recently, saddle manufacturers are using various materials to replace wood and create a synthetic molded tree (some with

3416-463: The use of stirrups and saddles in the cavalry. Stirrups and saddles brought about innovation in new tactics, such as mass charges with thrusting spears and swords. Saddles were improved upon during the Middle Ages , as knights needed saddles that were stronger and offered more support. The resulting saddle had a higher cantle and pommel (to prevent the rider from being unseated in warfare) and

3477-420: The vehicle. For 2006, output of the LS2 increased to 395 hp (295 kW). The SSR's styled design was inspired by Chevrolet's late-1940s Advance Design trucks, in particular the 1947–1955 pickups. The vehicle rode on a GMT368 platform specific to it, a version of the period's highly adaptable GMT360 , and featured a steel body retractable hardtop designed by Karmann and built by ASC . The body of

3538-531: The weather. Early samurai warfare was conducted primarily on horseback and the kura provided a rugged, stable, comfortable platform for shooting arrows, but it was not well suited for speed or distance. In the Edo period horses were no longer needed for warfare and Japanese saddles became quite elaborate and were decorated with mother of pearl inlays, gold leaf, and designs in colored lacquer. A saddle, regardless of type, must fit both horse and rider. Saddle fitting

3599-593: Was built on a wooden tree that supported more weight from a rider with armor and weapons. This saddle, a predecessor to the modern Western saddle , was originally padded with wool or horsehair and covered in leather or textiles. It was later modified for cattle tending and bullfighting in addition to the continual development for use in war. Other saddles, derived from earlier, treeless designs, sometimes added solid trees to support stirrups, but were kept light for use by messengers and for horse racing . The saddle eventually branched off into different designs that became

3660-640: Was made at a land speed record using a highly modified version of an SSR during the Bonneville Speed Week in August 2011. In spite of the team's efforts, the SSR in question was deemed ineligible to race in the class that they intended to compete in due to an air dam that did not conform to the class rules. They were permitted to race the pickup for "time only" but the pickup proved unstable at speeds approaching 200 mph (320 km/h). The pickup never reached speeds anywhere near close enough to take

3721-516: Was the pace car for the 2003 Indianapolis 500 auto race . The SSR was introduced as a 2003 model on New Year's Eve 2002 (December 31). In spite of marketing efforts which included the SSR being used as the pace car for the 2003 Indianapolis 500 , it sold below expectations with under 9,000 sales at US $ 42,000 each. Citing a 301-day supply of SSRs, General Motors in December of that year announced five weeks of layoffs at Lansing Craft Center ,

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