Suburban fans among our readers might already know that you couldn’t buy a four-door Chevy Suburban until the Squarebody was introduced in 1973, and Chevy seemed to understand that a three-door wagon was a deficiency, because only the Panel truck was pictured from the driver’s side in the 1970 brochure. Imagine the surprise of the first-time Suburban shopper when they walked around to look and had an asymmetrical shock. (Yes, I know that most Suburban shoppers were probably aware.) Aside from the Wagoneer and Travelall, however, there was little competition in the big SUV field of the early ’70s, so Chevy sold what they could, including this two-wheel-drive example that Hans H. found on Marketplace in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for a cool $16,000.
Unfortunately, we’ll have to do our best to identify the specifics of this Suburban, because the ad is brief, mentioning that it’s a two-wheel-drive model, but not if it’s a C10 or C20 (and the badges are missing). The 8-lug wheels were only available on the C20, so unless someone made some modifications along the way, we’ll assume that that’s what it is. Under the hood is a Chevy small block; if the badge on the driver’s fender is correct, it’s a 400, which was the biggest engine on the options list in 1970. Producing 310 gross and 242 net horsepower, a 400 is a good choice for a big Suburban. The pictures of the interior show an automatic transmission selector, so it probably has the nearly indestructible Turbo 400.
The seller does mention that rust is limited to the rocker panels and wheelwells, and he included pictures of both (from the driver’s side, unlike the Chevy brochure). The undercarriage is extremely solid for a truck that calls the Great Lakes region home.
The interior has also been replaced, and it looks perfectly usable as it sits; the headliner looks a little wavy, but that might the result of a dark picture. The Suburban wasn’t yet the luxurious SUV it would soon become; it was more truck than car at this point, even in two-wheel-drive trim. You’re surrounded by steel, and that black bench seat will remind you who’s boss on a sunny day by the lake.
It’s no secret that any Chevy truck from 1967 through 1972 is worth something, and a usable Suburban this solid might easily be worth sixteen grand. On the other hand, it’s been listed for a week, so maybe the seller’s willing to deal a bit. I don’t think you’ll steal this one, but it could be a nice driver with “a little TLC,” as the seller says. Or would you restore it and turn it into a really nice truck? Let us know in the comments.
Thanks for sharing that brochure! They worked hard to obscure the “missing” door. But the text does say, “All three side doors…” Way cool truck.
The horsepower and torque numbers quoted in the article are for a big block, which used 400 emblems in multiple models from 1970-1972, such as trucks and Chevelle’s and would have had a horsepower rating in the neighborhood of 250hp. When I worked in auto parts anytime someone asked for parts to fit an early-70’s Chevrolet “400” we followed up the request by asking if it had a 2 or 4 barrel carb, if it had a 2bbl it was a 400 small block a 4bbl was a “400” big block which was actually a 402. There are a lot of early-70’s Chevrolet trucks with 400 emblems that have big blocks.
I’d want to see this truck up close, if it’s has had prior rust repairs, I’d probably take a hard pass based on the asking price.
Steve R
It’s definitely not a 402 under the hood…maybe someone installed a 400 small block and added those badges?
Either way, Chevy’s 400 system in the early ’70s was certainly confusing.
IIRC the 400 engine offerings were BB in ’72 and earlier and SB on ’75 and later.
$16k may be pushing it a little. I didn’t think this generation of Suburbans came with a cloth headliner, but it’s definitely sagging, so I would replace it with a solid one. Rust? Typical for northern climes, and definitely reparable.
Thanks for the inclusion of the link for the brochure.
Scrolling through it I saw something curious. The illustration for the frame and powertrain (sans body) shows the rear coil springs which I expected, but it also appears to show quarter elliptic springs (shown in blue) for each side. Is that correct?
If I’m seeing it right, that illustration is for the 3/4 or 1 ton based on the number of wheel studs. It also doesn’t show the Panhard rod suggested by the verbal description for the rear suspension which is below that image. Could it be that the 3/4 ton’s used the quarter elliptic springs for lateral location of the axle, and the 1/2 tons used the panhard rod?
Inquiring minds want to know.
To answer your question I wouldn’t do anything with it because I wouldn’t buy it. Not because I think they are bad rigs I just don’t have a use for it
In 1976 I was taught how to drive in behind the wheel of a yellow and white 1972 2WD Suburban with a 350 V8 and Turbo 350. My friends nicknamed it the Family Sub after they coaxed me into driving it into the Mollala River in rural Oregon. The rivers current and the slick round river rock quickly had the whole works being pushed downstream. Thank gawd I was able to get enough traction before we went Ito the deep pool awaiting us just a hundred or so feet downstream. Loved that rig, and would love to be able to buy the one being sold. I’m very surprised at its purported lack of serious rust as ours was displaying significant rust around the rear taillights, tailgate and rear lower quarter panels and that was in no-salt-roads in Oregon in the late 1970’s.
I remember the 2 & 3 dor windowed & non in the dodge, ford & IH more than the cheb. Fella here (some kinda sheet metal worker & his twenty something son) made a 4th door for a windowed 3 dor Burban. Fantastic – as being real pros – U cant tell the difference of ‘theirs’ from the 3dor oem. What a great advertisement for their skills (they do it all, not just motor vehicles).
Above represents the same gen – Blazer I liked. Top still came off then.
Not having the fourth door on the road side was a safety consideration for back seat passengers who constantly open that door with out looking. That happens all too often these days with crew cabs.
The scenario you describe sounds reasonable since there is no rear passenger door to open but I’m quite certain the lack of the fourth door was chosen purely as a cost save. Nothing more.
Keeping in mind that the full name is Suburban Carryall then utilizing the panel model was the easiest route. Even in ’73 when the fourth door appeared the second and third row seats were still an option.
Had a 70 C10 PU. 307, 3 speed that had 8 lug wheels and springs in the rear. Open the glove box door, option sticker had heavy suspension listed. This was in the late 70s.
Throw into the confusion of small block / big block 400 is the big block 396.
Too bad it’s a 1 sided 2dr