The Suburban holds its place in history as the longest-running automotive production nametag, not only at your Chevrolet dealership but also worldwide, so kudos to the folks at Chevy for offering a vehicle that’s evolved over the years to a more modern design yet never losing practical functionality during its very long run. By 1946, the Suburban was already at the end of its second generation model, having skipped 3 model years for civilian sales between 1943 and 1945 as all examples produced in that time frame were for military use in WWII, so ’46 marked the return for public sales after a 3-year absence. But the Suburban got a redesign the following year, so the 1946 offerings like the one here on eBay are sort of special based on that regard. It’s a project, but I’m seeing potential here as are others, with 37 bids placed so far and raising the price up to $4,650 at the moment. This one’s in Mustang, Oklahoma, if you want to go have a look.
There’s not much information provided in the way of the Suburban’s past days or its previous whereabouts, so we’ll have to rely on the photos a lot here to tell the story, but one thing the seller does point out right off the bat is the rear clamshell doors, which are still opening and closing properly. Apparently, this is sort of unusual to find, as the owner claims that most didn’t survive. In contrast, the driver’s door is presently stuck shut, but the passenger side door is working. There’s plenty of patina on the outside along with a few rusted-through spots, but overall the body itself doesn’t really look all that bad considering the age, and if you like the fully-baked look that takes decades to achieve this one’s sure to please.
While a builder could conceivably get away with leaving the exterior largely like it is, things inside are a whole different story, at least in the front. Those seats are painful just to look at, and the windshield has some serious damage, but moving to the back it’s appearing quite a bit better, with the metal siding inside sort of mirroring the condition outside. Granted, it’s not looking great back there, but with some floorboard work maybe the hauling area can be returned to a semi-solid state.
It’s hard to speculate how many years have passed since the inline-6 has run and no mention of whether or not it still turns, but the seller does state he was able to get the transmission shifter into three different positions, so we know it’s not stuck plus the rear-end is also still intact and the frame actually appears surprisingly stable underneath all that surface corrosion. This one’s gonna need some attention no matter which direction the new owner chooses to go in, but with no reserve perhaps the initial investment will allow for some cash to be left over to begin making some repairs. What would you do with this 1946 Chevrolet Suburban?
Not patina actually it’s a lot of surface rust
This vehicle has been for sale over and over. I remember it from the junkyard rollers and fresh red painted rims. I think the unrestored patina thing has jumped the shark.
Needs a lotta work, but it is kinda neat, not too many around. Ok chevy guys, what’s the symbol embossed in the top of the valve cover? Almost looks like gmc, but I don’t think that’s it
Definitely a GMC logo. Very cool and rare truck for this particular year. Major project.
It is a GMC engine. Check out the pushrod cover.
This would have been a go after for me, but can’t get my two projects finished so no need to pile them up. However, this could make a sweet ride and the work is not always as bad as it may seem. I like this one for sure and the price is darn good.
I had this same type vehicle in a panel truck several years back. Good vehicle had a 1957 261 truck motor. Ran good only mistake I made with it when I bought it was having it towed to the house on our wedding anniversary. When I sold it I just gave her the money. I have a 48 suburban now.
Good morning guys,
That engine is definitely a GMC so along the way someone has swapped out power plants. The engine is not a bolt end being it is 1 1/4″ longer than the Chevy which meant changing up the motor mounts which was not a big deal. It did bolt up to the Chevy transmission. I would prefer the GMC over the Chevy any day because it had more cu. in. and it was built a lot stronger inside. I would look around for a 302 GMC 6 cylinder which can be bored out to 320 cu in.. That would give the new owner plenty of power with what you can do with that old engine. I have a 270 in my garage that needs a head. They built this engine in I believe 5 different displacements. I am sorry I may have digressed a little too much.
Everybody have a good,
Bill
A re-bore to 320 c.i. would give you the same displacement as a straight eight Roadmaster. Lots of torque there!
This is an Iconic body style. If you have the time and Money (and a place to work on it)-…with all that is there-it is a very nice piece. Seemingly good bones-Just a nice truck-and next to never seen.
DN
Sweet rig.
The Suburban was also a Plymouth station wagon from 1949 to 1978!
And a DeSoto.
plymouth suburban I know, cheb looks good too (any i6 is best but I like the ford ThriftPower series (270 & 300/4.9). 292 cheb perfect.
I believe this generation stayed in through the first half of the 47 model year. I had a pickup this style and a check of the serial number confirmed it as a 47. For some reason, at shows, people would look at the info sheet in the windshield and proceed to tell.me that I was wrong, that it couldn’t be a 47.
Mine is the black one.