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 An older photo shows what was once blue paint, which is either seriously faded now, or it has been replaced by grey primer.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.