As an interesting footnote in the U.S. auto industry, competing manufacturers used the same name on two of their vehicles at the same time. Chevrolet’s use of the Suburban moniker dates to 1934 and is still in production as a supersized SUV. Beginning in 1949, Plymouth rolled out its Suburban, the second of two steel-bodied wagons in the U.S. (the first being the Willys-Overland Jeep Station Wagon). The seller’s 1951 2-door Suburban has been in the family for more than 70 years, but out of circulation for the last five. Located in a garage in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this restorable gem is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $7,000. A nod goes to T.J. for the tip!
It became apparent after World War II that the wood-bodied station wagons of the 1930s and 1940s (“woodies”) couldn’t be financially sustained. So, Chrysler/ Plymouth was a pioneer in ditching the wood for steel as the new decade rolled in. The wagons began as two-doors, but four-doors were quickly added to the Suburban mantra. Vinyl upholstery was introduced because it would be more durable than fabric. And a 218 cubic inch “flathead” six was used, good for almost 100 hp.
Since this wagon has been in the same family for at least seven decades, it was nearly new when they acquired it. Over the next 70 years, the odometer turned over, reflecting the 103,000 miles it shows today. Besides the non-running six-cylinder, it also has a 3-speed manual transmission, typical of the day. An older photo shows what was once blue paint, which is either seriously faded now, or it has been replaced by grey primer.
The brakes still work, so you can roll it around for loading onto a flat trailer. Once you flush out the fuel delivery system and put in new spark plugs, you might try to fire up the 218. An extra transmission is part of the deal (in case something is wrong with the one in the wagon?). The interior is mostly okay, though the side panels have taken flight. All in all, this Plymouth seems to be complete and ready for a restoration.
“Suburban” was semi generic for this body style despite the fact it was “wagon” that stuck. Enough so that neither GM nor Plymouth could trademark it.
To this day any 3- or 5-door car with a body sufficiently boxy to not be a liftback sedan (but presumably not so much to be a passenger van) is classed by New York State and possibly others as a “suburban” even if it’s a Honda Fit.
I never liked Plymouth or Dodge from this era except for the Suburbans. Unfortunately, my better half did NOT agree with me. I found a low mileage Burb, similar to this one, with less than 30K miles on it. All it needed was a good detailing, a service and it would go for many miles. My wife did not approve. A few months later, I came across a ’54 Dodge wagon with a baby hemi and she had similar enthusiasm.
Then we saw a ’53 Ford panel delivery that was beat up and needed a total restoration plus a complete engine and she asked me if that car was going home with us.
I guess a wagon is okay with here as long as it doesn’t have any windows. Just the same, I sure like these wagons…
I wish I was younger…
Don’t we all??
It would be cool when finished.
I just have this quirk about spending 5K or more for rolling projects. Its probably just me
My thoughts as well. Maybe I am getting old and losing touch, but two grand seems far more appropriate for this car.
I agree, Hank. On most of this type of project you will go way underwater. If you restore it to keep for personal reasons it could make sense.
Chevrolet built their first “Suburban Carryall” in 1935 Russ, not 1934. There were only 75 built that year as Chevrolet wasn’t sure how well it would be received. I guess we know now as they’re still building them. Rick Treworgy, (RIP) of Muscle Car City Museum in Punta Gorda, FL had 2, 1935 Suburbans in his collection. One was totally unrestored and original. (and in rough shape) The second on he found in Vermont in 2019 and was excited to be able to buy it for his collection. It had been restored about 25 years earlier, was running and driving and I had the honor of being able to drive it into the museum. I was the Museum Manager there the last 2 years it was open.
Always liked this body style wagon. (The sedans, not so much) This reminds me of one featured here on an S10(15?) chassis.
I have been eyeing one in my neighborhood for awhile. But current projects preclude me jumping into one of these. Although cool in stock form. I would be building a hot rod out of one. Possibly hot nodding the flat head 6!
Wayne or a 5.7 Hemi.
This is begging to be hot rodded. Build that six up a bit, add a 5 speed so you can drive at speed on the highway, add some nice wheels and tires and paint it an original color.
I agree completely!
My Father’s first new car was a ‘51 Plymouth Cranbrook. He picked it up
at the factory, and it traveled less than 100 miles before the brakes went out, and it had to be hauled back for repairs. He absolutely hated that car. It took him 11months to find a way to get rid of it. Traded it for a ‘49 Buick Special.
My dad (a WWII combat veteran with a temper) had the same problem with a new ’57 Plymouth Suburban wagon he bought on Dayton, Ohio. I do not remember all the details, but when he went to pick up the wagon after repairs were completed at the dealership, it was apparently about 10 minutes to 5 p.m. on a Saturday. The shop manager had already locked the entrance doors to the service department. Dad saw him and knocked on the glass door, but the service manager waved him off and said, “We’re closed!” So, dad kicked in the glass door and said, “Well you’re open now…”
I have seen one like this fully restored and it was shweet. Great for hauling surfboards…😬
I looked long and hard for one of these,finally found a 50 ,had to bring it 1000 miles to home.
Now getting ready for paint and interior,put in a mustang 2 front end 7 1/4 diff and 225 slant 6 with 904 auto..only thing missing is front bumper and bjumperetes
I saw a canary yellow one with a small block in it, I think in Idaho several years ago. It was very cool.
Or, you could keep it a 6 cylinder by dropping a well tweaked 225
slant 6 under the hood. Now I love a fire breathing V 8 as much as the next guy, but not EVERYTHING out there needs one. That’s how I’d go with this one. With today’s cost of fuel, a
6 cylinder car is the way to go here–especially if you plan on using it as your daily driver. We all know how reliable the slant 6 is so it would be one and done as
far as that goes. And a tranny?
The sky would be the limit here.
Three, four, five, or six speed units would be on the table including the indestructible Torque Flight automatic. A 727
would be the best bet here as the
later 904 models will eat a torque
converter every six months. Had
that problem with an ’82 AMC
Concord wagon back in the ’90s.
Liked the car, but after replacing
two torque converters, that was it
for me. Especially when the dealer I bought it from was socking me $400-$500 each time! And he expected me to make a $350 a month car payment too? No way, no how!
Wound up trading it back to him
for an ’81 Citation 4- door that would last me 2 years. But I digress. Now lessee, where was I? Oh yeah, the interior. I’d cover the seats in basic vinyl with double stitching to make them as
durable as the rest of the car. And the door cards? Any good
upholstery shop can whip you up
a decent set for the right price.
And while you’ve got the seats out, some Dynamat and some nice carpet would wipe out a lot
of the road noise you might have.
And since the master cylinder is
under the driver’s side floor, you
might wanna convert the pedals to the pendulum type so you can
use a modern 2 pot unit to take
advantage of modern disc brakes
up front. I’d keep it stock looking
outside with painted steel rims with either baby Moons or factory
dog dish hubcaps. And along with a fresh paint job, I think that
it might look cool with a homemade woodie conversion
kit. You know, have some wood
slats 3D printed to go over the edges of the Di Noc wood decals
that I’d put on the doors, quarter
panels, and tailgate. Uh oh, think
I’d better quit! My brain is telling
my right hand to draw one up that’s made that way! One thing’s
for sure, you’ll never see another
one like it!
I agree with the six Ken. If you can find a Volare/Aspen with the six AND the 4 speed overdrive manual transmission that would be ideal. This car is going to have enough gear for decent acceleration and could really use the overdrive on the highway. I do believe that they make a dual brake master conversion for the “under floor” models. And I’m sure a disc brake conversion is available also. You got me going, I’m going to have to check out the one in my neighborhood!
OMG Wayne! I just found Dr.Demento! I was up on YouTube this morning and found a bunch of his shows there! Laughed so hard that I couldn’t
concentrate on the ’68 Beetle I was practicing on in one of my
Classic Car coloring books. That’s right, they do make them and you can find them on Amazon starting at $6. I use them to practice shading and shadow techniques along with how to make a vehicle shine when you draw it. But the programs. The programs, they’re
a riot and I see why people loved
him. Still wanna draw this wagon
provided I have the right size paper to do it on. Right now, I see
it in Velvet Touch Maroon (A ’59
FoMoCo color offered only on Edsels, Mercury’s, and Lincolns)
with the fake wood slats and Di Noc decals on the doors and quarter panels. Add a roof rack,
some surf boards from Ron Jon’s
surf shop in Melbourne, and either hit the beach to hang ten or
just cruise it around town looking
cool. Maybe take Angel to the beach and have some fun? And
BTW, I always wanted to try surfing but my wife and the girls
have always said that I’m crazy so I haven’t tried it yet. Been on my bucket list for years. Maybe,
just maybe, I’ll try it sometime.
In marriage number 1 our best friends were also childless. So Sunday (maybe Saturday) nights were always Dr. Demento nights. (1979-1983) Everything from Homer & Jethro to Barns & Barns to Wierd Al! And other strange stuff in between. Just a great time to spend with good friends. My buddy’s wife has past away from cancer and my #1 is now a millionaire and wouldn’t be caught dead listening to Dr. D. The kids are grown and now my buddy lives 2,100 miles away on an island. So those days are gone. Good times racing and Rallying together and just enjoying each other’s company.
Pending sale at $6,250.
Cool suburban. I’m in the ‘make a sweet daily driver’ camp with an overhead valve six and a 5 spd. Upgrade a few basic mechanicals and clean it up. Could be used for work, play, road trips …