By 1967, the Suburban or “carryall” was in its sixth generation and the recreational vehicle market was steadily increasing.  During the six years of the 6th generation of production, build numbers more than quadrupled and Suburban’s were seen as an adventurous and roomier alternative to station wagons.  Chevrolet could not have anticipated these early Suburbans would become classic ancestors to the ubiquitous presence of SUVs on the road today, now used more for parking lot adventures than mountain treks.

For consignment, a 1972 Chevrolet Suburban, one of 27,000 produced and now with lots of new parts.  A rebuilt 350ci V8 and classic good looks with two tone paint.  Per our consignor, it was built to be a daily driver but retain classic look.  Mission accomplished!

Exterior

Medium Olive Green sandwiches white in a pattern that was common and popular on trucks in the late’60’s and early ’70’s.  Beyond the paint, what you notice about this vehicle is its sheer size, nearly 216 inches long with a wheelbase of 127 inches.  Based on the C/K line with 8 foot beds, the rear quarter stretches well past the rear axle and long windows resemble the sneeze guards at Shady Maple, (PA’s largest buffet restaurant), it’s a lot of glass to take in the sights of national parks.  Much like early minivans that came later, back seat occupants had an access door on one side only and while eventually deemed inconvenient, it sure is a cool design feature to have asymmetrical doors.   While the design is epic and now rare to see, she’s not without some patina and imperfections.  Notable rust on the rocker panels and rust through on a quarter panel, plenty of bubbling is numerous other places, rust on the door sill and pillar, several seams with surface issues, pitting in some of the metal.

Interior

Sheridan design occupies the upper panel of the door panels which are molded green plastic between body colored steel and all three doors are in good shape.  While the doors are open, we note some rust through on the window frame and on the rear hatch.  The scroll design continues on the front vinyl bench which also presents in fine condition.  Tubular metal frames hold the second row bench which mirrors the vinyl pattern and manages to include an ashtray in the armrests and the pattern repeats in the third row and everyone has very good leg room.  The green plastic steering wheel has some cracks in it and shares the green column with the shifter and indicator window.  There’s a little bit of patina on the black plastic gauge cluster panel and gauges which include a 100 mph speedometer and the very basic information needed to operate this big rig.  In the center of the green painted metal dash is a JVC AM/FM/Cassette unit, the standard A/C levers, and a Terminator controller and screen for the Holley fuel injection system.  The flat glove box completes the rather utilitarian design of the dash.  Our consignor states the green loop carpet is newer and it looks good along with the white perforated headliner and overhead vent system which helps distribute air to the back of the bus.  Even with three rows, there’s room in the way back and the carpet there shows a bit of usage.

Drivetrain

Here’s where some big changes were made and when we open the hood, we see a drivetrain that lacks any patina and in fact, is quite clean.  It’s a 350ci V8, rebuilt in 2021 and stuffed with a Comp Cams camshaft and supplied with a new intake manifold, exhaust manifolds, radiator and more.  It was then topped with a Holly Terminator X electronic fuel injection system and set into motion with a 4L80E 4-speed transmission which sends power back to the rear 12 bolt.  Power brakes have a newer master cylinder and brake lines and consist of discs up front and drums out back.

Undercarriage

Plenty of patina in the form of surface rust, and some of it pitted, underneath.  One crossmember has invasive rust, rather significant, but the main frame is in good shape.  We’ve got some caking around the steering knuckles but no visible leaks.  Dual exhaust finds stainless steel mufflers and exits through chrome tips on each side behind the rear wheel.  While underneath, we note some rust on the bottom of the doors.

Drive-Ability

We light a fire under this Flint born vintage SUV and of course the fuel injection lights up the V8 without hesitation.  We hear a nice exhaust note in the far distance and roll this vacation vehicle onto our test loop where the high stance and greenhouse effect provide king of the road like visibility.  The 350 has adequate power and the brakes work well to slow this behemoth.  The A/C is not working but everything else on board did.  While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

The flat face and simple taillight design on this nine passenger truck, along with the two tone paint make it pure Americana.  These were the station wagons for the more rugged set, the more adventurous families, and frankly, the families with more kids.  She’s gained some patina since 1972 but her engine is equipped with modern technology and some well sorted mechanicals.  We don’t get many sixth generation Suburbans at Classic Auto Mall and this one is worthy of consideration.

• CCE162F158831
• C-Chevrolet
• C-4×2
• E-V8 Gasoline
• 1-1/2 Ton
• 6-Suburban
• 2-1972
• F-Flint, MI Assy Plant
• 158831-Sequential Unit Number

View the full listing on classicautomall.com