This situation is often the reason lighter colors were slightly more expensive on cars & trucks back then. With Chevrolet trucks, if it was a lighter color top coat as on this truck, the primer would have been red oxide prime, and the darker colors would have used cheaper black prime. We must remember what the “state of the art” was in 1953. It is interesting to see what has been an important cog in the Suburban’s stellar 85-year success run, don’t you think?Ĭreating “replica patina” of a type that is believable, requires a bit of research. Any way that you consider this ’53 Suburban, it is a far cry from the 2020 edition and that’s not a bad thing at all. The exterior treatment is a matter of taste and the basics for the interior are either in place or in boxes, so that’s where the next effort needs to be expended. This Suburban is a nice start on a restoration the mechanical changes are good but I could see going with more than what appears to be a stock 250 CI six. The seller advises,” All new Gauges, Steering wheel, all-glass all the way around, Door latches all rubber, window cranks all rubber and seals, channel windshield motor, Glove box ECT…” and I gather that he means all of these components come as parts that are included with the sale. The folding 2/3-1/3 rear seat is still in place, however, and that’s a nice touch besides the functional access that it provides to the way back. The instrument panel is as it was intended though it appears to have been repainted, including some of the switches and knobs and the blue glove box lid doesn’t exactly match. The view from inside also indicates some pretty worn glass, though that may just b from lighting. It doesn’t look bad though the headliner and trim have all seen better days. The windshield sun-shade is a nice nod to the era the wide white-walls? Not so much so but that’s a matter of taste too.Īt first glimpse, it seemed as if the seller had gone with an Indian blanket front seat cover, but no, it looks like he went for the full Indian blanket upholstery treatment. Subjectively, the fender skirts ruin the Suburban’s existentialism but that’s my hang-up. There is no overt evidence of corrosion or damage. And it’s in nice shape, the finish is flat, intentionally(?) and the rear doors/roof look like they are adorned with fake patina but the chrome, bumpers, and grille, are all strong. The body of this New Mexico truck has not been seen to have, or found to have, any rust according to the seller. Other than the air cleaner, the engine looks stock. He also doesn’t know how it runs or at least he’s not coughing up that information. Safe to say, he’s not the one that 86’d the original 216 CI, six-cylinder engine/three-speed manual transmission combination. We’re getting the old, “I don’t know nuffin’ about it” as the seller states, “I do not have a lot of info on this one”. The Chevy variant would have to wait one more year.Īnd with that, a perfect segue into this Suburban’s powertrain, it is a 250 CI, in-line-six cylinder engine mated to a three-speed automatic transmission, all of the unknown provenance. First offered in the Suburban in ’53 was GM’s Hydramatic, four-speed automatic transmission but only the GMC version was fortunate enough to be the recipient. Compared to the current Suburban’s 134-inch wheelbase, this 1953 example, sitting on a 116-inch spread, could be considered a compact. By 1953, the Suburban was entering its final year of third-generation assembly, a model run that had started in 1947 and was based on Chevrolet’s then-new Advance-Design truck series. The Chevrolet Suburban is supposedly the longest continual domestic model name in use, having been introduced in 1935. This truck is located in Tacoma, Washington and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $11,100, reserve not yet met. Somewhere in its past, it has undergone some notable mechanical modification and we’ll delve into that as we take a closer look. Whatever the case, here we have a third-generation Chevrolet Suburban being offered for sale. While not exactly a flip, this 1953 Suburban was acquired two years ago on eBay and now it’s headed back that way.
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