WHAT IS IT?
Conventional wisdom holds that the SUV is largely a creature of the new millennium. Not so. The term itself dates back to a Jeep brochure from the 1970s, and the Chevrolet’s “Suburban” nameplate goes back to 1935, and in fact is the oldest nameplate still in use anywhere, now in its 12th generation. This one goes back to the 7th generation, the longest-running one that went from 1973 to 1991.
WHY THIS ONE HAS BEST ONE ON THE PLANET CHOPS
This Suburban is resplendent in its very period shade of metallic brown, and positively gleams in its flagship Silverado trim (complete with CB radio). It has under 50,000 miles, and single-family ownership from new, and it clearly has received the care meted out to a beloved family member. The engine compartment is simply surreal, still exhibiting factory chalk marks on the firewall, and all of its decals. Like so many of the cars we feature, this Suburban was never intended to be a collectible, and as rugged as the underlying vehicle is, many of the Malaise Era plastics and materials were built to last a lunchtime, thus, this Suburban’s state of preservation is remarkable. Quibbles are few: It’s RWD rather than 4WD, it’s a small block rather than a 454, and there’s some minor headliner sag. But as they say, you’ll look long and hard to find another Malaise Era Suburban that’s this nice.
many of the Malaise Era plastics and materials were built to last a lunchtime, thus, this Suburban’s state of preservation is remarkable
I’m not sure I’ve seen anything from the 70s that’s aged so well as this interior. Clearly, this top-of-the-line Silverado Suburban was never used as intended, a Cheerio inhaler, dog-slobber receptacle, brown bagged grocery getter or beach mobile. I’ll echo Pickering’s sentiments about the rear door dings being this example’s only blemish. My grandmother’s wood paneled den never looked this good new.
Fun fact: ’77 was the only year that GM’s truck side trim was painted yellow in the center versus black. Well, other than the ’75 GMC “Gentleman Jim” model. It works pretty well against the ocean of brown here. I don’t think it’s reproduced, so maybe avoid the mall with this one.
You don’t often see original hood insulation in place (most got chucked in a moment of rage when they dropped on your head at tune-up time), and the interior here is pretty mint. Love the woodgrain trimmed Silverado wheel. It’s rare to find any of these with decent interiors, so that’s a real bonus here.
As with the ’80 C10, those grease pencil marks are what you’d expect to find on a factory untouched example, too. The only issue I see is a few small dents in the rear tailgate, probably from somebody slamming it. That’s enough for me to think there may be a better one out there — but it’s going to take a while to find it.
I’m with you on this Jim. This one is so close to being the best that the palm dents on the tailgate are just maddening. What really pisses me off is that a good PDR person could make them disappear for less than $500. What the hell is with the selling dealer? A tiny spend that would take this ‘Burban to the next level, why not do it?
This is a carbon copy of my grandfather’s first Suburban. He dreamed about that truck for years before he finally got it, specifically to tow his 26′ travel trailer to Door County, Wisconsin every fall with my grandmother.
This one is a true survivor with (somehow) fewer than 50,000 miles. Seriously, where will you find another one like this? The color combo is pure disco in that Mahogany Brown with three rows of tan pleather couches. It’s a 2WD base-model, so what?
Look under the hood, it has all its labels and factory markings preserved. It can’t wait for the Post-War SUV class to inevitably emerge at some future concours d’elegance (maybe at Amelia?). Because this would take the cake.
They need to fix the dents that are there. The fact that they have not already done that and think it is the BOTP All they need to do is call the pointless dent removal guy and they have not. That alone makes me think it is not as good as represented
Wow, this is perfect. And wow, you all have me seeing nothing but the palm dents! Except for the rear Suburban decal that is- arguably the best North American model logo of that era.