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Whether hauling old water heaters or young hockey players, the Chevrolet Suburban has been a distinctly American form of personal transportation for three quarters of a century. To put that in perspective, when the first Suburban rolled off the assembly line the Hoover Dam has just been built and Larry King had been through just one divorce.
First debuting in 1935 amid the Great Depression and Dust Bowl exodus, the vehicle then known as the Suburban Carryall holds the distinction of being the longest continuously-produced vehicle model in the United States. As much as we think SUVs are for the most part a blight upon the landscape, we’ve got to tip our collective hat to the Suburban for its longevity.
Much like SUVs that followed in its oversized treadmarks, the ‘35 Suburban had a frame borrowed from a commercial truck and seating for eight that easily converted to a huge cargo area. About the only things a modern soccer mom would miss are LCD screens in the headrests and McDonald’s fries ground into the carpet. That, and the lack of power steering, which would make it even harder to pull into a parking space with a phone in one hand and a Super Venti Whipped Mocha Coffee-like Beverage in the other.
As America’s suburbs, like its residents, expanded so did their namesake vehicle, becoming popular with both professionals and families. The current Suburban seats nine — even if we usually see them carrying one — and can tow 9,600 lbs with the 6-liter V8 under the hood. To mark the festive occasion, a special 75th Anniversary Diamond Edition comes with all the gew-gaws like rearview cameras, parking assist, satellite radio and adjustable pedals. It’s finished in White Diamond Tricote, whatever that is, and GM says it has a cashmere interior, though we’ve got to believe that refers to the color, not the material. If it’s really cashmere, we now know where a sizable chunk of the bailout went.
Our personal favorite Suburbans are the iconic C/K models that were built from 1973 through 1991, which were as ubiquitous in family-oriented neighborhoods as Big Wheels and adultery. If you lived on a street that ended in a cul-de-sac, chances are at least one of your neighbors had one of these in two-tone paint with pinstripes, and three bench seats full of rugrats. Kids whose moms drove K-cars got wedgies, but kids whose moms drove Suburbans gave wedgies.
Photos: General Motors
This family couldn't be happier in their 1935 Suburban Carryall
A 1941 Suburban. During wartime, they were used by the U.S. Armed Forces.
Happy freakin' Valentine's Day. It's a '49 Suburban.
Cheerleaders love the '65 Suburban, especially when Drew Carey is behind the wheel.
Building the suburbs with a Suburban. How meta.
With stick-on woodgrain decals, the '73 Suburban could pass for the Griswold Family Truckster.
The Heartbeat of America. Like a Rock. It's a '92 Suburban.
75 years of livin' large.
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