When we think of modern Suburbans, the sight of a large, lurking vessel with huge chrome wheels and six television screens come to mind. It’s a shame, then, they’ve gotten so overloaded and complicated, especially when the original concept was a much simpler affair. This 1956 Chevrolet Suburban here on eBay is claimed to be a solid California truck that will need a motor and transmission but is also largely rust-free.
The Suburban wears a few different shades of primer and paint, but the metal underneath looks quite sound. I’ve always found the design of these early SUVs so attractive, with the two-door body style and clamshell or barn-door access out the rear. This one seemingly has the clamshell opening, but will also come with a set of barn doors if you prefer that style.
The body really does look quite solid, with no major corrosion or damage evident. The seller points out that there’s “…no rust in door steps or drip rails,” and that the dash and firewall remain uncut. If you like the style of this ’56 but are hankering for a pickup truck body, be sure to check out the Barn Finds Exclusive for a clean-titled and running/driving 1955 Chevy Pickup, seen here.
Other aspects of the Suburban project worth noting are that it has all of its trim, taillights, and heater, per the seller, and that it comes with a new aluminum radiator and fresh transmission and engine mounts. This is still a mountain of a project, but the clean California body and clear title make it an easier mountain to climb. The Buy-It-Now is $6,500.
I’m sure someone can educate me on the benefits of the barn door configuration, but I never quite understood its appeal. The clam shell/tailgate config seems much more practical for longer loads – whether it be with the tailgate down for flat loading or window up for longer/lighter loads. Right up to the later model (2000?) ones I always wondered.
The term and practice of tailgating didn’t evolve from the use of barn-door openings.
Steve R
My uncle was a Surveyor back in the ’70s and he preferred the bard doors for the shorter reach to the inside. He had most of his gear(transits,tripods,stakes etc.) in horizontal storage for quick and easy access. I guess it depends on how you will use it. He always ordered a new 4×4 ‘Burb every 2 years.
The Suburban is the vehicle of choice for surveying, that’s for sure! Pick-up trucks with a capper do well back in the woods but when it takes more than two guys that back seat is nice to have.
If you need it as a wheelchair hauler those barn doors will swing out of the way, and you can deploy a crane to lift the chair into the vehicle.
Bard, Like Shakespeare?
Bard door, for when you want easy access to your Shakespeare rods in the back of the Suburban
Awwwww Riiiiiight!
And…. it’s much easier to get your Johnson out. Keeps your Johnson from dinging up the tail gate.
Mighty Fine! Dick, is somebody else a fan of Lester T. “Roadhog” Moran and his Cadillac Cowboys?
Don’t insult this beast by calling it an SUV, it’s a fricking truck.
Any old 350 and a TH350 or TH400.
Six TV screens? You must be talking about the base model. I’ve seen ‘em with TVs, telephones, squash court, and staff of eight. And don’t forget the ATR. This has got lots of potential although I’m continually disappointed that the engine and transmission are gone. That’s another obstacle to overcome on your journey to make this new again. However, a 283/auto would be my choice for power. Of course I wouldn’t turn down a 261/manual…
HAAAAAARRRRRR!!!! Y’all see any with the shrimp chillers?
LMAO! I forgot. Code #7566 SC. No extra charge if you’ve already ordered Code #7163 ATR. Just stay out of the way when you activate the ATR.
“Six TV screens? You must be talking about the base model. I’ve seen ‘em with TVs, telephones, squash court, and staff of eight.” I beg to differ. The surburban line is not what one typically sees (over) loaded. This title belongs to the Cadillac Escalade XL and Yukon Denali XL, the badge engineered example of what is wrong with GM now!
“And don’t forget the ATR.” Airport Transit Rack?
Hi Steve. I guess it depends on what part of the country you’re in. Out in the western plains they LOAD them down to the knackers. I see a lot of Burbs carrying all the options that Escalades come standard with. The reason: people don’t want to appear uppity(?!?!?). The biggest endusers of Burbs in the Chinook Belt are farmers; they get them so the wife has a substantial conveyance to play the role of ‘Hockey Mom/Soccer Mom.’ Believe me, when I worked for GM we sold a lot of LOADED Suburbans. The ‘ATR?’ Let’s just say that A=Automatic, and R=Remover. T=Your imagination. Back when I was a kid, there was a joke about a car so loaded it had an ATR button, but you were NOT allowed to use it if you were a boy, unless you wanted to be injured…..
I would definitely go with the barn doors, and I would be very glad the original powertrain is missing! Like the original color though!
351 Cleveland and C6. Just to annoy the Chevy guys.
To each his own, but good luck finding a good one. The 351C was a good power maker, but it was the red headed step child of the Ford family. In the 60’s and 70’s, all of Ford’s engine were “good”, but for some reason they convoluted things by making several different engine family at the same time with limited interchangeability between them. The reason the SBC was king of engine swaps for so long was its abundance, ability to make power cheaply and compact dimensions and weight. I am a “Chevy guy” and it wouldn’t “annoy” me, just make me scratch my head and ponder what medication the owner was on, or should be on…LOL
It always amuses me when people insist on overthinking a joke.
Why not a hemi and 727? ;-)
This looks quite excellent. A nice top chop would make it much cooler.
4.9L(efi), 700R4, D44, 9″, 33″ BFG AT/KOs & clams as I won’t B carrin much. Take the barns along as an after thought as it’s goin wheelin.
8^ )
I wish I had the money to buy it so I could keep it safe from the restomodders. I’d drop in a stout Chevy 292 and an old Muncie SM 420 four-speed truck transmission, the one with the the stick that rattles like hell in third gear. I’d mount the barn doors, paint it in its original color and have fun with it.
I see these around, but what can be done with them?
I dunno….a 6 liter to start, OD tranny, chop about 1-1/2 off the top (subtle change), get it riding about 8″ off the ground, some Torque Thrust II’s or Cragers, tinted windows, and a nice coat of paint…..na, not much can be done with them…..ha
327 found in storage war works for me. I just need to find one of these trucks needing motor and tranny, someone will trade for a 95 4×4 ranger 4.0 5spd with camper shell on it for.
Is this suburban still for sale? How about a phone number?