One of the most interesting body styles, in my opinion, Chevrolet offered vehicles made for hauling humans and other cargo without a left rear passenger side door. This Light Green, 1968 Chevrolet C20 Suburban Custom is one of those, and it’s posted here on craigslist in the great city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The seller is asking $11,000, here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
We’ve only seen two 1968 Suburbans here on Barn Finds over the years, in 2019 and back in 2017, so it’s been quite a while. You can see some missing trim (it’s in the backseat), and the seller confirms some rust around the rear portions. Replacement metal is available and pretty inexpensive, so it would be a good time to dig out the welder you’ve had in the corner of the garage for too long and get back into the swing of metal marriage (just made that up). Companies like LMC and others make replacement parts for Chevy’s sixth-generation Suburban, and they made enough of these that finding parts shouldn’t be an issue.
The sixth-generation Suburban was made from 1967 through 1972, and if you can’t find a panel-type model without rear side windows, the three-door model is your next choice, as they didn’t even offer one with four side doors in this generation. We don’t get to see inside the rear cargo area, unfortunately, hopefully it looks ok back there. The tailgate/hatchback-type rear door configuration was standard, but buyers could get side-opening doors as an option.
Adding to the cool factor, this Suburban has a four-speed manual, as you can see in the photo above. I believe this truck also has dual gas tanks and trailer brakes, in case hauling your classic vehicle or motorcycles will be on the to-do list. The interior is fitted with leather seats, according to the seller, and it also has an upgraded touchscreen stereo as seen in the photos. The back seat is filled with extra parts to complete the exterior once you fix the rust. It really looks like a solid example other than the rear portions. The rockers and sills look solid.
According to brochures, a 350 V8 wasn’t available in the Suburban in 1968 (just a 307, 327, and 396 for V8s), but this one has a freshly rebuilt 350, and it looks great. Running through the 4-speed manual to the rear wheels, they say it also has a new clutch, good tires (they look like new), and there’s only about 100 miles on the rebuilt engine. Hagerty is at $6,700 for a #4 fair-condition example with a 307 V8, how much would you pay for this one?
Hmmm. I learned how to drive a stick in ’84, in Albuquerque, on a ’68 Suburban. Have to wonder whether this is it… I don’t clearly remember the color. I’ll guess it’s not the same one, but not sure!
Really cool Suburban. I never understood the whole 3 door thing though. I always thought it was odd when I was a kid. This is one of my absolute favorite GM truck colors from the 60’s, and I was absolutely treat this one to a proper paint job. And sort the interior out too. I could only imagine this thing with a 396 with the 4 speed. Only problem is with those gears, its more suitable for pulling than for drag racing a Corvette in the next lane for pink slips. I was kind of surprised about the lack of a drop top Scotty ( just kidding). Great find and a great write up too. Hope it finds a good new home.
No rear door on the passenger side for “child safety”. Like a school bus, the rear seat passenger needs to exit onto the sidewalk rather than step out into traffic.
That’s the story I was given and the story I repeat when I’m driving around in my 68 c10 suburban—
Interesting to see a 3/4 ton version. Lots of 1/2 tons out west, with numbers increasing at a rapid pace over the years. But a 3/4 ton is good; I sure wouldn’t kick it off my driveway.
1968 saw some subtle changes to the trucks. Side marker lights were the obvious differences. I well remember seeing the 427 offered in the 6500 series for the first time.
My Dad ordered a 1/2 ton Custom Camper in the fall of ’67. Dad’s sales rep invited Dad to the annual ‘New Car Showing,’ which was always a treat to attend. I was a pimply-faced 14 year old back then (I would find myself attending every year after I started working for the dealership) and I was thrilled.
GM really put on the dog back then. Waiters and waitresses, all clad in First Class livery, had trays of ‘ordeuvres and even trays of beverages (I never had a chance to try to see if some were alcoholic; they always showed me the side with the sodas) that were passed around. And everything that GM offered was on display in the ballroom and outside.
It’s been over 40 years since I attended a new car showing. Kind of miss that one evening each year…
I never went to a new car showroom with my Dad. In fact the only time we went to a dealership together was when we went to Nicky Chevrolet (can’t figure out how to make the “K” backwards) to pick up some Corvette parts. However, our big outing every year was to the Chicago Auto Show. Normally held at McCormick Place. (except for the time after the McCormick fire) where it was held at the stock yards) In later years I ended up working The Honda area and wining a sales award from Honda. 1,000,000+ people attend on average every year. I always made sure to grab the brochures of each new car that I liked so I could drool over them until the next year.
The pricing is considerably out of my range, but, I have been looking for one.
It is close by, also.
Original interior is a must.
4 X 4 would be a bonus.
This one is not from NM, too much original paint. the sun bakes the crap out of paint out here.
If the pricing could be more reasonable, I would go for it anyway.
I need a tow vehicle for the rest of the collection.
My opinion: At max it is a 5K runner.
I like it id buy it RN that rig w maintenance would be my DD rig until my end days. Where i live in Ozarks they would ask for 20k w needing a rebuild for engine n tranny, and even a lot more metal mariage. Nice write up!
Scott, I like the “metal marriage” term having grown up in the rust belt and performing that ceremony a number of times. These trucks are great workhorse. Interesting fact. I was selling GMCs when the new model came out in 1999/2000. GM had scheduled about 80% “barn door” (our term) production versus 20% lift gate. Because that was “the mix on the previous model”. But as normal their guess was incorrect. Yes, most people preferred the “barn doors” to the tail gate. But the hatch/lift gate was much more popular than the “barn doors” because people didn’t like looking around the divider in the middle. Didn’t GM learn anything from the 1963 Corvette? Consequently, people wanting the hatch in the early stages had to wait for production to catch up.
I always preferred the “barn doors” to either the tailgate or hatch – still do!! Which was why I never bought newer than the ’97 we had last.. well, that and the Leather (standard) interior. Now that I’m older, I’d still like to find a F/S Blazer (or Tahoe 2 door) with the barn doors. If this truck was a “K” I’d probably be all over it just because I always liked this model – even with the tailgate.
I use to own a 71 3/4 ton . Great family cruiser and tow vehicle. Too many toys but this is a great buy. In my opinion you would be hard pressed to find a solid 3 door Suburban for less money.
$5K?? You can’t be serious. These things bring big bux.
friend in for visit here ,lives in new mexico..would check out for …
I remember we used to buy Suburban’s for the nose and engine then scrap the rest. I guess we scrapped a few too many, now making them rare. I actually bought a 1970 4X4 to get the nose but never took it off, now it’s still setting out back waiting to be fixed up someday I hope.
Oh yeah, I just found one last year, 1972 GMC 4×4 ochre yellow with factory bucket seats, console, 350 powers steering. Bad engine, setting for years, I was drooling, solid Montana rig, NOT for SALE.
Listing update: this one must have been sold, the seller deleted the ad.