Photos by Jerome Solberg from the Cohort.
I’m not too familiar with the works of vintage-look restoration projects, but I don’t mind what I see in this GMC Advance Design era Suburban. It’s fixed up enough to keep it on the road looking unique, while being sufficiently stock to be of our interest.
Not that these worn-looking vehicles don’t throw me off at first glance, with my brain thinking “Cool old heap!!” Then, on closer inspection, I realize that it’s an intended look. Which I guess is part of the fun for those that put them together.
This particular owner seems to find a mental link between the Suburban’s round forms and Blob-like shapes. Or so the personalized license plate suggests.
There’s an additional subtle graphic alluding to that Blob reference in the back as well. I would think they’re not referring to the dumb ‘The Blob’ horror movies of the ’50s and 80s, as I can’t see the link between the two. But I do see some semblances with a blobfish. Is that what that is all about?
Additional interior images show that this is a very controlled vintage-looking vehicle. It’s ‘neat’ vintage, after all. The bits may be old and worn, but the interior looks far tidier than the new cars of most of my friends. Heck, I can see myself taking a nap in those seats. And the WD-40 idea by the steering wheel… Why didn’t I ever think of that? A handy can of WD-40 is always a good thing.
Curiously, my favorite shot is the GMC badge on the Suburban’s running board. A nice item to close this post with.
Further reading:
Curbside Classic: 1951 Chevrolet 3100 “Advanced Design” Pickup
Curbside Classic: 1966 Chevrolet Suburban – Finding The “Sport” In SUV
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Extremely cool! Done up in rat rod/patina and a touch of lowrider style with the wheel well covers and visor. I can DIG IT!
I like these but the fake patina is irritating .
-Nate
I’m not seeing the “fake patina”. Looks quite authentic to me.
Nate, Agreed on the patina… I bet this vehicle is more rare than the surviving first generation Mustangs. It deserves a full restoration.
FWIW ;
I can dig real old beaters as that’s what I grew up with .
I just have a serious issue with deliberately damaged paint and so on, clearly done here .
-Nate
Boomers hate patina
Not me. And I think Nate might be too old to be a boomer.
I like authentic patina. My ’66 F100 has plenty of it.
I’m a boomer, I love it. A friend has a similar suburban not patinad. But in satin finish and painted fenders
When you scrape away part of the paint it’s FAKE .
Not my opinion, that’s the fact .
It’s a nice old truck to be sure .
The swing out cup holder is an aftermarket item, I like it .
-Nate
I think that the patina looks good, and the grill and most of the gray/black surfaces look pretty real. Even the side door. As a design, I like the rear door with the green and black but it looks a bit “fake” in contrast with the rest of the panels. I think the interior is a perfect balance between aged and habitable. What’s interesting to me, knowing where Jerome lives and where this photo was probably taken, is that 50 years ago GM cars and a few GM trucks of this post-war era were very popular low riders in the area. Similar, or even lower stance, with the windshield visors and and whitewalls and necker knobs. But with immaculate paint and shiny chrome.
Sure is blobby, especially from the back. I didn’t know there was a Suburban made in 1953, pretty cool vehicle especially with the skirts over the rear wheels.
Having paid an eye watering amount to get the hood and trunk of my VW painted last year, I’m warming to the patinated look.
The Chevy Suburban started in 1935:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/vintage-ads-and-brochures/vintage-ad-the-new-1935-chevrolet-carryall-suburban-combines-the-advantages-of-a-passenger-car-and-a-light-delivery-unit/
I really did/do like that GMC logo. It would be neato if they’d bring it back somehow, maybe for a special edition.
What I found interesting about this vehicle is that it (IIRC) does not have any rear doors, just the front drivers and passenger doors. Did they actually make passenger versions that way?
Another interesting thing – is that thing in front of the passenger seat the first, or one of the first, examples of a cupholder? Or maybe it has another function. Is that a period-correct piece?
Thanks for posting these pictures!
Jerome
What I found interesting about this vehicle is that it (IIRC) does not have any rear doors, just the front drivers and passenger doors. Did they actually make passenger versions that way?
Very much so; side doors didn’t appear until 1967. These were three-row people haulers; the middle seat was narrower, so the folks in the way back could slide by. Let’s just say that people were almost universally slimmer (and more limber) back then.
The clamshell door on the very back was made to haul luggage when it was open, since there was no room inside. Just like a stage coach.
The cupholder thing is very much not original. No such thing back then; folks didn’t drink and drive. 🙂
Yes, JM ;
The first generation of Suburbans were all two doors, they came with a 60% driver’s seat and the 40% passenger seat was mounted in pivots so when the back rest was folded forward the bottom cushion moved forward enough to get in the back .
In the 1960’s they began making three door Suburbans, those are hard to find and very sought after now .
The middle seat here may or may not be a factory one, it was standard in Suburbans and optional in panel trucks .
I logged many miles in ’63 & ’64 Suburbans, one was a snow plow vehicle, the other had windows and three rows of seats .
Because we’d always squabble about who got the window seat the grumpy French Canadian screw who drove us (apparently a famous ex hockey player) got pissed off and glued the sliding side windows shut making it miserable in Summer .
Pops had a Suburban in……?1949? to drag his large unruly brood ’round in, it got T-Boned on the right side by a stop sign runner .
-Nate
Authentic patina is nice .
Sadly too many think driving a rusty old junker is now hip .
I have a battered 1959 VW Bug that I love but it looks awful .
I wish to hell I could afford a paint job but for now I’m slowly scrubbing the old $50 tan re spray from the 1960’s to a shine .
Everywhere I go folks tell me how !!COOL!! it is, I wish it weren’t all beat up and rusty .
-Nate
“Real Patina” “fake patina”. Does it really make a difference? I’m a boomer who also likes patina.
The owner apparently likes it that way and that’s good enough for me.
It’s one of a kind which should be enjoyed for what it is.
My Dad bought a ’60 Suburban, also only two doors. He didn’t keep it long, my Mom didn’t like how we pounded on the seatback to try to get her hurry up and get out. Four door wagons were the norm after that.