America's Favorite Wagon - 1973-1991 Chevrolet Suburban

Here's the story behind America's favorite wagon, the 1973-1991 Chevrolet Suburban.

[@joshuagibson2520]

Some may disagree, but this was a golden era of GM.

[@tommy35ss]

For the trucks... not so much the cars

[@towgod7985]

@@tommy35ss The cars? O god no!

[@charlesbakston7414]

@@towgod7985 Exceptions. Buick Grand National/GNX for example

[@abutts02]

It was when it comes to the Suburban.

[@miker8379]

They made money hand over fist with lack of changes/retooling

[@V8salem]

I am from Saudi Arabia . I own a 1991 GMC Suburban, red and black. I still keep it from 1992 until today. It is the latest version of the square body. I made a wooden canopy for this vehicle. I have a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban. Use it for travel and transportation. But the square body is retired . But it stays in front of my eyes. love it♥

[@MrFREGENATE]

Mine is a 1990 and it is a pleasure to drive in tiny italian roads

[@barrydraper]

I worked at the main factory where these were made, Flint Truck Assembly, from 1977 through the end of 1995, before being transferred to another plant. These were absolutely incredible vehicles, for the time. Extremely capable & long lasting. Many of these, from this generation, are still on the road today. They even earned the title of being called the “Texas Cadillac”.

[@steveniksid5874]

It's too bad Cadillac didn't make a model back then. That sure would have been something.

[@charlesbakston7414]

@@steveniksid5874 Cadillac wanted to create the Escalade from the 7th Generation Suburban, back in the 1970s. However that fell through

[@1lovesgreatness]

Thank You for your service to America.

[@steveniksid5874]

@@charlesbakston7414 that would have been one heck of a ride to own today.

[@jamesthompson8008]

@barrydraper IF you don't mind the asking, do you recall what the ratio was between Suburban & Full-size Blazer at the end of production(1991)? I read somewhere from another former employee that the ratio in the late 70s was roughly 2 or 3 Suburbans to 1 Blazer. Yet, in the late 70s was Blazer's highest production year, so at the end, with less than 7400 Blazers built, that ratio had to have spread really wide. Just curious: I have several Flint built trucks.

[@SierraBravo347]

Ahhh...the old Family school bus! Many big families wouldn't have survived without it! 👍🏼

[@Perich29]

Suburban in these days were truly a magic school bus.

[@SierraBravo347]

@@Perich29 It was truly a Great concept. You could haul ALL the kids, including neighborhood kids, groceries, etc. Work out of it, or drive the kids to practice. It was a Great All-Round vehicle.

[@M.L.1]

My 5ft tall grandma drove Suburbans her entire life! She was an interior decorator, furniture upholsterer, & also did drapes/curtains. She lived where they got little snow so she always bought 2wd, bench seat, barn door Suburbans replacing them after 10yrs of service. When she retired she bought a Acadia Denali & traded after a month on a new Suburban & drove it till she passed.

[@Averagegamer673]

My dad has a 97 454 k2500 that has 276k miles on the odometer just had the AC redone and the front seats bottoms redone

[@laurat1129]

What can I say, I love these classic ‘Burbs. Back then, you wouldn’t get one unless you needed it for hauling or towing. There wasn’t anything as big back then, but it wasn’t about luxury or sport; these were true “utility” vehicles. For decades, these have been the off-road vehicle of choice for Art’s Dune Tours on the Cape Cod NS. As a kid, it was like seeing another planet, and riding in those ‘Burbs made an impression on me.

[@b.s.adventures9421]

I took my drivers test in a highly optioned 1989 burb back in 1994. I’ve owned 3 c20 versions in the last few years. All with the rare 4 speed manual. Such great trucks. Drive awesome. Rock solid. One of my favorite rigs ever. Road trip master, go anywhere, camping king of a truck.

[@MarkTurner-vs7uc]

They were great, totally fixable. The 454 was a tire shredder. I remember they ate gas like nothing else , even at 89 cents a gallon they were expensive to fill up. And the 454 could just rip the tires apart. You could tow anything.

[@1975KyleDavid]

I wish I was old enough to appreciate quality when I was a kid, my grandfather had a light blue Suburban from the 70s. Looking back, I'd happily rebuild that old thing if I had the opportunity.

[@nucleargrizzly1776]

Vehicles from that era can be restored in your garage with basic hand tools.

[@strikeryachts]

I miss my 1990.

[@rickwitt5735]

My father owned a '75 and then a '77. He loved the '77 and treated it like his baby. I'll never forget that vehicle. I don't think my dad would pay for a single option. It was a RWD, dropping tailgate and had nothing but an AM radio. We loved it, nonetheless... Keep up the great content. I'm always looking forward to new videos from your channel!

[@MarkTurner-vs7uc]

I had a 77. Gas monster. Great vehicle, could run indefinitely, easy to work on. Went 300,000. Replaced it with a 85 blazer. I loved that blazer. I so miss those good times, so much better than today

[@gorillaplays8926]

The double rear doors are called barn doors

[@robertspence831]

Our family truckster was a '76 GMC Suburban with the 454. Rubber mats, manual windows and locks, what a sweet reliable machine!

[@TJT8585]

My childhood family hauler was an ‘89 gmc suburban. We kept that thing preserved for as long as possible, even after it rolled upside down on an icy day on the road. My parents refused to replace it with a generation 8 or 9. It was totally worn out by the end of its life, but the memories of it live on

[@TravisTLK]

It's just my opinion, but it seems the Suburban is no longer a "middle America", working man's vehicle. They start at $60K+ msrp (probably much more with dealer markups), and quickly rise from there. Full size trucks and SUVs are luxury vehicles now. To be fair, I'm probably stuck a couple decades in the past in what I think vehicle pricing should be. Give me AC, power windows, and maybe even 4wd for my northern location, and I'm happy.

[@bobhill3941]

It's always a nice surprise because full video uploads are rare.

[@matts6551]

I’m proud to say our 1988 Chevrolet Suburban saved my life as a child. I got stung by something and went into anaphylactic shock. My lungs closed, I turned pale white and my lips turned blue. Had not been for the reliability and dependability of our family suburban, and no weekend traffic on the way to the hospital…I wouldn’t be here today.

[@gustavokennedy213]

Thank you for the upload. I was just thinking about the suburban through the years. My first big SUV to take a ride in back in 1996 was GMC suburban. They called it the whale.

[@electric8668]

Suburban the SUV before there were SUVs.

[@a.j.s.8049]

International had the traveler. Long forgotten but loved all the same.

[@electric8668]

@@a.j.s.8049 GM introduced Suburban in 1935. International Harvester introduced Traveler 1976. Suburban the SUV before there were SUVs.

[@danielulz1640]

​@@electric8668International had the Travelall since, at least, the 1950's.

[@electric8668]

@@danielulz1640 1953 to be exact but I was addressing the Traveler the model mention in that post. But still the Suburban predates the Travelall by 17 years.

[@danielulz1640]

@@electric8668 thanks. I did not realize that the Travelall came out that early. By Traveler, do you mean the Scout based vehicle?

[@joshuagibson2520]

Mr. Oldcarmemories, I love you sir. For probably a half decade I've been watching your videos about all the cars I grew up with and have enjoyed ever since. Thank you. -Just a Tennessee mountain hillbilly

[@FBentla]

Thank you for creating these fantastic and very informative videos. As a huge fan of classic American cars it's always a treat to watch these treasures and I love your voice and style of speech. Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@YS-fr6nu]

Again another great video, very informative, & nice info on the suburban, they were a great vehicle but one small draw back …. Pollution was bad on those vehicles & had no power, all to blame is the government

[@charlesbakston7414]

@@YS-fr6nu Yeah, while the government ignores stuff that are really pollutant, such as large cargo/container ships, etc. The selective outrage is real

[@OLDS98]

Excellent. Well stated. Well put together video information. The vehicle is indeed legendary to the point the GMC Yukon has taken off, Ford created three versions: Expedition and Excursion and Lincoln Navigator. Now Jeep has the Grand Wagoneer and Wagoneer. The car has owned the segment for a while. I liked the mention of the downsized cars and you showed the Oldsmobile Ninety Eight ad. I liked all the details brought up. This was a lot of work and effort. It is appreciated.

[@danr1920]

That was a long run. The problem was they rusted almost as fast as the Vega. Far worse than an average car or truck of the day.

[@hailstorm1986]

These Suburbans are legendary.😇

[@williamcathey1688]

I have a 1991 4wheel drive suburban I love it it's got 350000 miles on it and still runs like a new truck

[@russpendergraft5057]

I bought a 79 suburban back in the mid 80s, it had the blue and silver Cowboys colors, it had the stock 5.7 350 2 wheel drive package with the manual roll down tailgate window. Bought it from a TX. Farmer! Low miles clean blue / silver interior , never wrecked, for $2400 dollars! Built like an absolute tank! Loved it! Until a kid in an iroc z t- it as he ran a red light in the DALLAS area! No one hurt in the Suburban, but the man in the Iroc z did not servive unfortunately! But I loved that tank!

[@davidkastin4240]

Love the 2 tone paint schemes on these Suburbans

[@squangan]

My father had a ‘78 half ton and then an ‘82 3/4 ton Suburban, both with 350’s. If fuel mileage wasn’t a concern I’d like to drive one today.

[@matttravers5764]

Man, I wish I had ine of these! Luv them!

[@robertharris7027]

This generation of Suburbans was the most beautiful, I believe. Personally I owned a '97 GMT400 (3500LT I think) with the 6.5l diesel, that was my most liked car by far in all the years.

[@vettekid3326]

One of my cousins had seven kids. He would either fire up the his old 1979 suburban or the motor home to take the tribe to church or a family get together. All other times he would be driving his VW Rabbit diesel.

[@wraithconscience]

Thanks for this video! Already a super classic, the Square-Body Suburbans and Blazers are destined to take their place in the "hall of fame" so to speak. The early 70s "complete convertible" Blazers are my personal favorite. Thanks OldCarMemories!

[@chrismoody1342]

I’ve had four of these in the family all of them the 73-91 Gen. They taken the family on many vacations and ski trips.

[@stephenp8644]

I still have my dad's 1964 Chevy Carryall with two doors and lift hatch/drop tailgate. 283 V8 with two-barrel carb, three-on-the-tree with solenoid powered overdrive via pull lever under dash. This thing is so fun to drive. Started restoration due to rust in front fenders but had to stop because of (what else?) money. Some day........

[@sedrickwells8545]

I had a 91. Best vehicle I ever owned. Went through 2 transmissions 3 if you count the bs one I had rebuilt, but that truck wasa battle tank. It drove without major issues till 2010 when the engine locked up. I did a Lil time and it sat till 2015 when I got out. Wanted to restomod it with an updated drive train but had to sell it cause the family wanted it of the land😢😢😢

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

We never had a Suburban but my older brother owned a 1977 K 5 Balzer with a 400 small block and full time 4wd. A great vehicle but also a drinker. My uncle had a Suburban that he towed his Airstream with equipped with a 454 he used to fly right pass those diesel equipped trucks pulling their travel trailers in the mountains. He always got a laugh out of it, because his friends always bragged about how good their diesels towed.

[@manthony225]

My dad had a '65 and a '71 Chevy Carryall. The 71 had a rear door on the right side but not the left.

[@ivanjones1804]

Your Old Car Memories certainly have brought back some great childhood memories for me. Please 🙏🏾 keep those great 👍🏾 😊 😌 videos coming. Sincerely Yours Truly Ivan I J🤵🏾‍♂️👨🏾‍🦱👨🏾🧔🏾‍♂️👦🏾👍🏾

[@waynecross1924]

I owned one . 1985 4×4. Loved it. Many a trip off road fishing and hunting. Sold it in 1997. Had 75,000 km. On odometer. 😅

[@jefferyrobertson7520]

I Like 1973 To 1993 Chevrolet Suburban Iconic Wagon Thanks For Uploading

[@CJColvin]

Gotta love the Square Body Chevy and GMC Suburbans.

[@kc0lif]

best vehicle ever made.

[@freedomforever6718]

If you live in the higher elevation mountains these are the perfect vehicles.

[@Barry101er]

The older the better-what a looker!

[@georgewilson1184]

I always like the Panel doors just for the way they looked even though the tailgate is more practical the Panel doors just is a cooler look

[@engineer_alv]

These and the GMT-400 are my favorite Suburban of all time

[@michaelbaumgardner2530]

Sweet rides,and the big block would tow a camper like a champ,of course gas prices weren't an issue back then.

[@colehalford1893]

Wow, what an amazing video. Thank you sir. I learned tons from your video. I own a 1989 Chevy Suburban, & love it! Thanks again

[@dalemettee1147]

I had a '79 Surburban. This was the first year for the automatic with lockup overdrive. A bad idea. They failed a lo. I, instead, got the three speed floor shift with lo gear, also called a "granny gear". I chose the 305 cui. engine. Got ~ 14 mpg. on the road but not so much in the city, 9 mpg. The rear was geared @ 307 to 1. The sticker price for this model with the premier interior and A/C was just under $10K. Color? Two tone. Desert tan with white. A camel interior. I added my won interior lights switches on the other 3 doors, and my own radio with four speakers. Very good grade Pioneer with Jensen speakers. Manual windows and manual rear glass in the tailgate. I added running boards. The rear blew out, so I got a 273 to 1 rear end from the junk yard and also installed new heavy duty leaf springs while at it. Sold in 1990 for $50,. 82K on the clock.

[@austinfrazier7325]

My first car when I was 16 back in 1997 was my dads 1985 GMC Suburban 6.2 diesel 2WD 2500. It was an interesting car to have in high school. It was nicknamed the “SpermBurban”. It didn’t have a third row seat so the back was huge. Throw a blanket down and you had enough space to do all kinds of things. At parties friends would take my keys and go have fun with their GF parked in the driveway. I also had dark tinted windows. What made it so dangerous was parents were smart enough to not let their daughters sleep at someone else’s house but they didn’t realize that just going on a date I basically had a mobile bed in the back. I never put a mattress but I should have.

[@goodbonezz1289]

@3:19 ‘widening the Suburban’s customer base’ as the camera is fixed on the wide driver seat 😂 These vehicles were/are awesome. Worthy of a permanent spot on the team for a family or single person.

[@gorillaplays8926]

I love that look and those models...I wish I could have one

[@richardmcgrath61]

I had a 1990 GMC Suburban 2500 with the 454 engine. Massive fuel consumption of course, but real road presence.

[@adamtrombino106]

My uncle has owned nothing but suburbans since 1988. I recall in the summer of 1992, I had just got my drivers permit. He and I were on route to town, Mauston Wisconsin. We were on Turtlehead road, which wasn't wide enough for 2 cars to pass by, much less a suburban. He stopped the truck and told me to drive the rest of the way into town! I was so nervous! But actually, I got used to the size of the truck quickly and it was effortless to drive, even at posted speed limits. That particular truck was an 86 2wd with the 350 4bbl and 700r4. He has a '19 today, and though he loves the fuel economy of the cylinder deactivation, he admits that there are way too many 'gadgets' on the truck, 3/4 of which he doesn't use..

[@grumpydano]

Owned a 1985 Suburban for almost 16 years.

[@jameskennedy60nSoCal]

I can’t wait for your presentation on the 8th generation. I am kind of fond of my 1997 GMC Yukon SLT, 4x4. My favorite thing about the truck is the barn doors. I love to be parked by the beach and have my back doors opened, facing the ocean. I lay in the back here with my dog and take in the beauty to behold.

[@ljmorris6496]

Once the '73 debut, it was the beginning of the end of the big car-based wagon with car-like features, it's 4x4 and more cargo carrying capacity then a car based wagon...

[@williamscoggin1509]

It may not fit into the standard garage but many of them fit perfectly into the standard driveway. 😉🇺🇲

[@enerrivers4392]

In '76, my boss had a '70 Chevy Surburban. With bench seats it carried 9pass. It had a big 454 4bbl, turbo400, posi rear & temp 4whl drive. It was in remarkable condition. I could spin da rear tires forever. But, it was slow. My '76 Buick Electra Landau coupe with 455 would blow it away. Dat 'burb was BULLETPROOF. Gr8 for off road with 9ppl,& supplies.

[@davidcarroll8735]

I love these. I had a ‘99 and ‘04. My 2012 is still with me with 210,000 miles it does it all!

[@randykroells8049]

I used to see these pulling big trailers in Northern Minnesota in the summer with 454s.

[@Bubbleskittymaster]

my biological father still has his 1991 gmc suburban, had it since i was a toddler. even after he rolled it he still has it and it's being restored. idk how many miles it has but likely over 200k at this point.

[@howebrad4601]

One other major factor for the suburban popularity was its towing capacity. In 73 most full size cars could tow a boat or moderate size camper, but by 85 most cars lost almost all their towing capacity. So for people who had to tow and carry people the suburban was a great choice. The mid 80s to 91 suburban looks 1000 percent nicer than the bulbous malformed things they make today. Look how classy that blue and white one shown looks.

[@MrChevybaja]

This narrator has the strangest cadence.

[@justina3221]

he sounds like a robot about to die

[@paulomiranda1717]

I lived with a 88 and I take the old one out any day.Its a real truck !

[@derekhoward5995]

Love your videos

[@MrJayrock620]

I still see a couple of these rolling around here in Canada, although less are surviving here in the rust belt. The ones I do see aren’t the clapped out used cars I used to see as a kid they’re almost always restored now.

[@andregonsalvez9244]

Great show ! This is one of my favorite SUV'S and i like the older versions over the brand new style. I don't like the newer ones because it's become too complex and have major problems with the electronics and transmission issues.

[@michaelwthalman]

Just called them trucks back in the day. Their heavy weight was a big plus for slippery Iowa winters....

[@jamesthompson8008]

Something else to consider here is the same kind of thing Jeep had going with the Grand Wagoneer, profitability margin. Both makers had long figured out how to get the production costs down to a minimum, but GM was able to far & away marketize greater thru the Full-size Blazer, GMC counterparts, & the growing crewcab/dualie market. I honestly believe that's one of the biggest reasons the Suburban didn't update until 1992; cross line capitalization thru other products. Towards the end, it must have been interesting to see how few base model vehicles were built(would love some hints from former employees here).

[@akulinamackenzie4492]

💕👍 those were some !! days...🙋‍♀️

[@bertram46]

I was a sales manager at a Chevrolet dealership for a lot of that time those Vehicles were hard to get and they sold it list price. They definitely had rust issues. Whenever I think of these I think of them pulling a beautiful Airstream. It's just the Perfect Blend

[@galencurrington8704]

I have 78 Scottsdale burb with 4 speed factory manual love it.

[@user-on1lg8nk6s]

من افضل السيارات الأمريكية gmc suburban من موديل 77 حتى 91 سيارة قوية سريعة ولها ذكريات جميلة مع كل عائلة

[@Romiman1]

Love this gen. of Sub and Blazer over every other else SUV from all times, brands and sizes... Esp. with twotone paint, chrome, whitewalls, hood-ornament(!) and colored interior...

[@davidcollver6155]

my parents bought one in 1970. 2 wheel drive white on Green it was the three door with tailgate simple truck, with the 307. My first Suburban was a three-quarter ton 2 wheel drive 1979 bench seat tailgate. My last one was a 1988 four-wheel drive half ton barn doors it had the third seat, 350 with the throttle body injection. Bought it early 2000, got rid of it early 2020. Is Dre for driving out on the beach at Fort Fisher.

[@paulsherwin9451]

Had a 87 C10 and 88 K10 .I sure miss those vehicles 😢

[@brettcannon74]

Own an 89 v1500 and never plan on getting rid of it

[@jamesthompson8008]

@brettcanon With you there, just that mine is a 91 V1500 Blazer - grateful to have a last year model.

[@davidallen5776]

Clint...I just found your car once again!

[@acersalman8258]

Beautiful trucks ❤❤❤❤

[@user-KrackerJack]

Love them have had 3

[@ralphabreu5022]

The 1973 to 1991 where the best truck Not today's plastic fantastic SUV..... Body on frame

[@Doc1855]

That era of GM were a LOT more reliable than they are today.

[@timothykeith1367]

I have seen many of these in salvage yards in restorable condition.

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Cool, in the 1980's a family in my neighborhood had a red and white one. 🥰

[@alecfromminnenowhere2089]

I drove dozens of those square bodies and I couldn't stand them. They rode so rough and the weird faults they had was maddening. The 8th generation was in my opinion the best. They were a leap in engineering and refinement. The ride improvement alone was amazing.

[@dwi189]

Unfortunately, the early ones of this generation Suburban had terrible rust problems. My Dad factory ordered a '73 Suburban C10 Cheyenne Super....It started rusting at 3 years old and the rocker panels were gone at 4 years old. The roof had rust holes in it as well after a few years They had used some sort of reprocessed metal on the early squarebody Suburbans. My Dad's Suburban literally rusted apart.

[@DerrickOil]

Parents bought a new 1988 GMC, ran it until the wheels fell off for over 25 years.

[@user-ht1xu4gv2u]

At the NYASHOW in 1990. These dubs were almost 20k. Loaded and everybody wondered who wood pay so much for a truck.....now they are almost 100k

[@Budicles]

See the USA in your Chrvrolet

[@gavinyoung266]

I was raised in this and it’s my definition of a car. Cant find anything close being made today. Might have to just do overtime and get a degree in mechanical engineering and just buy a old one 💀. Still have dreams about driving it around. But my dad says the engine was not fixable so probably would be in this situation even if I had sunk my claws into it. Of course he is a software engineer so I’m not sure I trust his evaluation.

[@CommissionerLawWonder86]

Also not to mention that some ambulance services used these carryalls as their fleet of rescue vehicles.

[@charlesbakston7414]

Yep. And yep. And also for Funeral Services

[@charlesbakston7414]

Plus Law Enforcement has/had these vehicles on the fleet.

[@candykid5135]

correction: America's Favorite SUV 1973-1991 Chevrolet Suburban

[@douglasbrooker5834]

The best part of these vehicles, suberbans and other larger vehicles was third row seating was an OPTION to have third row seating . You can't get two row seating in them anymore or be able to remove them easily.

[@abutts02]

The square body and GMT400 Suburbans are the best generations.

[@1lovesgreatness]

8th gen with metal bumpers, 92 to 1999 are going way up in value.

[@KTJohnsonkidThunder]

These are pretty nice vehicles. But I love the '92-'05 Suburbans a lot more.

[@elfiero50]

I owned a 1977 3/4 ton with a 454 should have never got rid of it😢

[@privateprivate1865]

I only like the round headlights version.

[@ernieforrest7218]

My first suburban was a 1972 4 wheel drive with a 350 V8 engine and automatic transmission. It had 3 doors, with the third being on the passenger side in the rear seat area. It was air conditioned, with a separate ceiling mounted unit for the rear passenger area. I used that vehicle as a tow vehicle for towing our 31’ travel trailer. We made several long trips to the western states, as well as numerous trips up and down the entire east coast. In 1977 i bought a new suburban, it was equipped pretty much the same as the 1972. However, this was the worst vehicle i ever owned, from the stand point of problems. Especially body rust problems. It even rusted thru above the rear windows, cant blame road salt on that. GM was no doubt in the replacement parts business in a big way. So happened, my brother in law was a Chevy dealer, not just a salesman, but the dealer, they owned the dealership. I sold the 77 and bought a pickup. But in 1986 i bought another new suburban. This was a much better vehicle than the 77 was, and still had the same body style. Had GM done a better job on the serious rust issues they had, they could have sold a lot more suburbans, and other vehicles as well during that period. But this was during their big profit years, when they were number one in that area.