The words long, low, and mean describe this 1973 Chevrolet Suburban Custom C10, and not mean in a bad way. Anytime I see that a GM vehicle has a 454 V8, it seems impressive but this almost three-ton rear-wheel drive SUV isn’t exactly a 1970 Chevelle with a 454. Still, it’s an interesting ride and you can see that it’s been lowered and it also has new woodgrain.
Having grown up in the 70s and 80s, we thought nothing of having a vehicle with “only” rear-wheel drive, even in Northern Minnesota winters. You just put snow tires on and put a few sandbags in the back, what’s the big deal? Now, everyone needs AWD even if they only use it to drive to the corner chain coffee store to get a $12 caramel skinny oat milk free-range latte with no foam, no straw, no cup, no coffee, etc… (or whatever sugary, foamy non-coffee products people drink these days rather than drinking brewed coffee). I’m sure this Suburban would handle snow just fine with snow tires, but I’d hate to subject it to road salt.
This seventh-generation Suburban – made for the 1973 through 1991 model years – seems to be solid. The seller that it was a Texas truck that they bought there, flying in and driving it home to Missouri a few years ago with no issues. They say that some rust has been professionally repaired, but there is still a bit left. I don’t really see anything alarming in the photos, what am I missing? The bottom of the driver’s door maybe? The trim on the rear liftgate appears to be missing and we don’t know if they still have it. I believe this color is Mojave Tan? It’s perfect for the era, especially with woodgrain trim, which is new and there’s spare material if you need to redo anything.
The interior is either faded or parts of the seats have been redone. Or, maybe parts of the seats were covered and faded in the Texas sun? Fabric seating material was available and would be nice here, I’d probably redo them in a factory-style cloth/nylon, but that’s just me. We don’t see the back seat, but they show the third-row seat and it looks great, other than being a little discolored. The C10 version is a half-ton Suburban and C = rear-wheel drive. There would have also been a C20 3/4-ton rear-wheel drive, and a K10 half-ton 4WD and K20 3/4-ton 4WD.
This is Chevrolet’s 454-cu.in. OHV V8, which had 240 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque when new. It’s said to run well and sends power through an automatic transmission to the rear wheels. The seller has this unique nine-passenger ride listed here on eBay in Springfield, Missouri, the current bid price is $1,025, and there is a buy-it-now price of $19,500 listed. Hagerty is at $18,400 for a #3 good-condition Suburban, as a general reference. Any thoughts on this Suburban?
Love these old Suburbans. The wood tone only makes it better. 2wd will take you a lot of places. Has this been lowered?
Would have looked so much better had they painted that fake wood trim exterior area white instead
The site you’re looking for may be Jalopnik.
JaLeftnik.
I can only hope, Dougie your comments are in jest or you’re really missing out. I’ve driven two V2500 Subs, ’83 and ’90 for nearly 650k. Still own the ’90 at 296k. They’ve been my home when my stickhouse had 5 feet of water in it, transported me to DC and back for J6th, saved my family from serious damage from drunk induced rearender. And if you think for a minute that you, me and every other two-legger on God’s green earth are going to affect “global warming” then you’re going to spend whatever time the real big Guy gives you being very frustrated.. And if you’re here on this “shameful” website then you’ve got to have something better to worry about…Like the rust in the hubcaps on your EV. Be safe.
My apologies to you and folks from Palm Springs, Dougie. I guess I shouldn’t have chosen an actual city for that observation.
No apology required here, Scotty–your comments correct on all counts. I had an ’87 2WD C1500. With 4 sons, the best family car I could imagine.
I don’t believe a C 10 came stock from factory with a 454. 2500 yes
From ’73 up to ’78 or ’79. Replaced the 402.
4 Barrel , I was thinking the same thing these were generally 350’s on the half ton “burbs”. not 454. For the price you would think a picture of the option decal on the glove box door would be present.
My Dad purchased a new 1973 suburban 1/2 ton with the 454 engine for towing travel trailer. As far as I can remember the 1/2 ton suburban was not available in years after that. I have had 3 454 1500 suburbans, but they were all 2500 series. the ’73 454 towed the trailers up and down many hill as fast as needed to pass slow moving traffic. You were still not able to get the 8.1 bbc in the 1500 suburbans before that engine was discontinued
3rd digit in VIN says 454. First 454 1/2 ton Suburban I have seen. Back in 1980 a friend had a 454 C10 shorted with 4.11 rear gears. What a sleeper.
Yes Wademo! They were marketed here North of Sacto as a SS454. The grand total of two that I drooled on, er, admired were both a brilliant black…. And yes, was a sleeper til you wanted to melt’em down…. From what I saw…
Th3 454 at this point by government standards was little more than the stock 350 and the increase in gas consumption wasn’t worth the performance of the suburban as a descent air cleaner and modified exhaust could get you close to 454 numbers with the 350. Not to mention the increase of cost to buy these mammoths.
Eerrr, shut up!
Auction update: bidding ended at $4,408 and no sale.