The Chevrolet Suburban (and GMC Suburban once upon a time!) is a true do-it-all vehicle – appropriate for everyone from criminals to law enforcement, contractors to soccer moms, and well, you get the picture.
The Suburban, originally known as the ‘Carryall Suburban’ before GMC later shortened the name to just ‘Suburban’, was introduced in 1935 and has remained a staple of Chevrolet’s lineup ever since. Originally combining a wagon-shaped body with a tough truck frame, the Suburban was appropriate for all types of buyers. The SUV’s split personality is perhaps best exemplified by the Suburban’s rise to popularity following WWII, when many soldiers bought the trucks after having driven or ridden in them while serving overseas. As an in-period Chevy advertisement described the vehicle.. “the Chevrolet Suburban: tough like a truck, but smooth like a wagon.”
1972 Chevrolet Suburban
The Suburban is now in its eleventh generation after having received an overhaul in 2015. The SUV is closely related to General Motors’ line of pickup trucks, which recently received an update, so you can expect the new and improved Suburban to debut soon – although it’s not yet clear when this may be. Our intel indicates the next-gen Suburban will arrive in time for the 2020 model year, so we could see the new SUV (along with the next-gen GMC Yukon) sometime before year’s end.
For now, though, you can take a walk down Suburban memory lane with Donut Media’s ‘Up To Speed’ video on the Chevrolet Suburban, which delves into the history of the iconic American SUV and how it has changed over the years. Videos from this humorous series are always high energy, so you may want to adjust your volume beforehand – especially if you’re a headphone user.
(source: Donut Media)
Comments
The king that started it all and holds the title!
When it comes to SUVs, the Chevrolet Suburban first comes to my mind. But I don’t picture it as some typical, soccer-mom mobile like most crossovers or minivans. I picture it as an interesting and unique family vehicle with a distinct, aesthetically pleasing personality with a great image as well as capability without compromise. Plus, I think it’s a beautiful machine to look at, most notably from the side view profile. With the all-new 2020 Suburban right around the corner, I would really like to see GM do..
1: Give the new model great marketing, Chevrolet has made those 2019 Silverado commercials like “A little bit country and a little bit rock and roll.” Or perhaps Chevrolet should make commercials simliar to the 2019 Silverado commercials or commercials reflecting the Suburban’s history through 1935 to today.
2. Celebrate the new generation’s launch by hooking it up to a 6000-7000 pound plus airstream, flatbed or horse trailer with one of its mechanically simliar siblings like the 2020 GMC Yukon XL in Denali trim with the 6.2 Liter V8 and have the Chevrolet Suburban in either LT Trailboss (5.3 V8), Premier, or possible High Country trim with either the 5.3/6.2 or the 3.0 Duramax inline 6 cylinder turbo diesel, and travel from their manufacturing plant in Arlington, Texas to the Texas Motor speedway where both large SUVs are put through their paces doing exactly what they’re designed to do; carry people, cargo and tow big trailers but instead on the race track at 70-80 miles per hour for hours at a time. Then continue putting them through their paces by towing those trailers cross country from the Texas Motor Speedway to who knows where they can go. That would be awesome to see GM do just that with the new models once they launch this year.
Ugh… that was a lot to spit out.
February 1977, Daddy brought home a medium blue ’72 Custom Deluxe Suburban with factory front and rear air. I was 6 and hooked on Chevrolet forever! He traded it in 1989 with 188,000 plus on the odometer for am ’89 Sierra. I was 18 and I cried. I decided I would buy it but it sold within a week. So I went to the dealer, sneaked into the file room and found who bought “my” Suburban. I called the man and told him that I would but the Suburban when he was done with it. He laughed at me because I was some goofy kid calling his house. Seven years later, I was a young patrol officer and saw just the front end of a ’72 Chevy sitting in a transmission repair garage lot, but I also saw that long white roof peaking over the vehicle sitting beside it. I went back and sure enough it was “my” Suburban and it was very evident because it still certain scratches and dings that I remembered. I went to the shop and asked who owned it and it was the man I had called and told I would buy from seven years earlier! I bought it back! And now 23 years later it is the centerpiece of my collection! I and ( several other professionals who actually knew what they were doing) restored it in 2012 to original. It still has the same engine, transmission, rear end…you name it, I kept it! The interior was pretty much shot so I had to replace there except for this. My Dad loved a big cigar and a evening drive back in the day and the truck still has that old smell so my trophy winning truck still has the same old worn out seats, headliner and mat! I can’t bring myself to change them! I have had 4 Tahoe’s, 2 K5 Blazers countless GM pickups. This Suburban started it all an it remains my favorite! ( And my little girl says it’s “HER” Suburban)