Looking like the cover of the 1979 GMC Suburban sales catalog, today’s find, a four-wheel drive Sierra edition is as clean and tidy an example as you are likely to find. While interest in GM’s “Square Body” (’73-’87) pickup trucks has been ascendant as of late, I’m noticing a similar trend with Blazers and Suburbans from that era. Today’s subject has a lot going for it s let’s take a closer look. Calling Caldwell, Idaho home, this big bruiser of an SUV is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $11,500 with the reserve not yet met.

Wearing a commonly found contrasting two-tone paint scheme, this 109K mile example really shows well. The listing states little about its aesthetics other than to claim “original metal” – I wonder if that’s the case with the finish too? It looks strong and has decent depth with only some indication of horizontal surface fade. If it’s not original, it is probably still aged – and it has held up well. The chrome-plated wheels are obviously not stock and the heavy forward-mounted winch is an add-on. This truck has a commanding stance, so much so that I thought, at first, that it may be a 3/4 ton version but it’s not and the VIN, and the fender badge, bear that out. Here’s a brief walk-around video for your review. Also, be sure to review all of the images down in the body of the eBay listing – there are an enormous number of high-resolution pictures.

Powering this rig is a 185 net HP 400 CI V8 engine. This is the small block variety and displaces a true 400 CIs and shouldn’t be confused with the 400 CI big-block motor that actually measured in a 402 CI. That powerplant was discontinued at the end of the ’72 model year. The seller states it to be a “strong and original matching number” engine. An automatic transmission connects to the 4X4 transfer case and this Suburban utilizes locking hubs. There are numerous underside images included in the listing and all present a stout structure, free of surface rust or scale.

The listing mentions that the interior is wearing new diamond-stitched upholstery and it looks quite smart. It’s difficult to find fault with any of it as the carpet, door panels, dash pad, instrument panel, and the way back area are in like-new condition. It’s a very stock and original environment with just the addition of a column-mounted tachometer. This is an A/C-equipped truck and the refrigerant has been converted to 134a – a good move!

So, will this vintage Suburban become the next big thing in collectibility? It’s hard to say, a modern Suburban, or a Yukon XL in the case of GMC, isn’t that far removed from this 44-year-old example. Sure, there are lots of safety, technological, and cleaner running updates that have occurred but GM has stayed pretty true in its direction. Back to this truck, it would be a bit much to use as an everyday driver but it sure would come in handy for a multitude of specific purposes. I have to ask the question, if you were interested in this Suburban, how would you use it?