'51 Suburban

[Tim Keith]

I saw this '51 Suburban today. It needs rocker panels for the drivers side. Its straight and complete. The seats are removed but are in the back. I might have got it if I had not bought my truck 2 weeks ago. I think its a good project car. I have wanted one of these, most that I see at in worse shape.

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/3107301427.html

[Plymouthy Adams]

why do people mount the hood emblem upside down...I see this all the time..cannot they see the emblem is wrong..cannot they see the Indians presenting corn to the Pilgrims..I do not think they ever did this standing on their heads..as if seeing the ship upside down would be tip off enough..either its a slam against Plymouth by some brand X fan or their brain cells are definitely challenged..would hate to see these guys put a jigsaw puzzle to gether..I can see it now..JB Weld, duct tape and A big hammer...!

[JerseyHarold]

When I was a little kid I saw the occasional '51 with the hood emblem upside down; this nonsense has been around for a long time! Didn't understand it then, don't understand it now.

I once read that it's impossible to mount the 1950 hood emblem upside down due to the location of the holes in the hood, and that some cars came from the factory that way because the hoods were drilled incorrectly.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I can assure you it is easy to flip and install the emblem...the two mounting holes on the 51/52 hoods are identical and there are two holes only and they are on a horizontal line..I just had my NOS 51 bezel and emblem in my hand walked to the shop where both a 51 and 52 hood sits..but how you cannot see that the ship is upside down..I have no idea...I could buy into a disgruntled assembly line worker placing these upside down but I am not so sure it would have gotten pass the QA guy that signs off the builders checklist..

As for some makes and models being built on the same assembly lines..I offer tup this little case in point..Ford/Mercury and the Granada/Monarch..we got a shipment of Monarchs in at the dealer ship that when rolled off the transport had Granada emblems on one side..Monarch on the other..

[JerseyHarold]

Ford/Mercury and the Granada/Monarch..we got a shipment of Monarchs in at the dealer ship that when rolled off the transport had Granada emblems on one side..Monarch on the other..

My cousin was a Dodge salesman for many years and he got the first Demon shipped to Brooklyn to use as a demo. It said 'Demon' on the left fender, 'Duster' on the right.

[BobT-47P15]

A school teacher in my home town bought a new 59 Edsel sedan,

and on one front fender the name was mis spelled.....it said

"Desel".

[Tim Keith]

The seller told me that he does not like Plymouths, but is skilled with repairing old cars. He said that he could replace the rocker panel in two days focused work. He has several project cars, '29 Model A, '55 Chevy are two that I saw. I thought this wagon looked good overall, compared to others that I have seen for twice the asking price. The motor cranks. The Texas tags are for 1970.

[Frank Elder]

................

[Tim Keith]

The seller said that he thinks the Suburban looks like an Chevy HHR. I think that is true, that the HHR looks more like a Plymouth Suburban than the same era Chevy Suburban. I prefer the grill and bumpers of the '49 model, but the '51 is essentially the same wagon.

If I can cull my herd I would like to find a place for it. I have too many project cars that I will never get to. The '47 Dodge pickup that I got two weeks ago included a rebuilt 230 Dodge flathead six in its bed that would be a great fit for this Suburban. I have a '73 Dart Swinger hardtop that I would like to sell as its got the big safety bumpers that don't look as good, plus I have a '71 Swinger that is much cleaner, and this '73 is pretty solid.

I was hoping to see some comments on Suburbans. Its like a 5 passenger car, just two rows of seats, the 111-inch wheelbase is actually the same as the Dart Swinger.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I own a 51 Suburban..for looks they are very simple in design but carry an air of elegance also. I have always like wagons..the Suburban offers the wagon body, looks of a by gone era but the added style of the two door..if you have the means and place to lay it aside till you get caught up..I believe you will not be disappointed in your purchase..

[Tim Keith]

I posted a '73 Dart Swinger on craigs List. If I get calls I'd trade that space for the Suburban. The '51 Suburban looks a lot better than an HHR, and does not weigh more than a PT cruiser.

[Plymouthy Adams]

the HHR is not in the same class..never will be..though they are a retro look..other than a few knobs and maybe a stretch at calling the Suburban seat covers plastic..I cannot think of anywhere else you could find the material..unlike the all plastic HHR...it is the very plastic that will keep these cars from being around in 50 years unless they make an abundance of spares or repop these panels in the future..

[JerseyHarold]

The Suburban was a nice body atyle and very practical. The seat folds down and you have as much or more space than a present-day small SUV. Plus, you get the rock-solid drivetrain and the enjoyment of having a fairly unique ride.

I looked at a few of them over the years and regret not having bought one. My mother worked with a guy who wanted to sell us his in 1965 to replace our rough-condition '52 Cambridge. My parents hemmed and hawed, and someone beat them to it. The selling price? $5.00!

[suntennis]

I restored a 52 Suburban and like it alot. They are almost a work type car unless you have the Savoy model which this one is not. The Savoy has belt line trim and fabric upholstry. This car has the vinyl seats. Should you get the car, there are a few parts unique to it such as the tail lights, rear fender trim and weather rubber for the rear window.

[BobT-47P15]

A few guys have rodded/customized them..........this is a 52.........

Some have just made them(i m h o) - kinda ugly......

[Plymouthy Adams]

well...at least the purple flame has it's hood ornament on correctly

[Tim Keith]

I like the looks, but I favor the '49 grill and bumper.

My '47 Dodge truck came with a rebuilt 230 that is not assembled. Its got stainless steel Chevy valves, a NOS 230 crank still in a box, reground camshaft, the rods have been reconditioned. I think he said that isky reground the cam, but I don't they they still do that service.The 230 block is said to be align bored. Its was tempting to get the wagon as it will probably run now, but I think the 218 motor is flat worn out. There has been no alterations to the car that I can tell. The seller was very happy with the tightness of the front suspension, the steering has no play.

The only reason that the seller bought it was he was told that it had an early hemi V8 in it. He told me he has little regard for Dodge or Plymouth. He said that he picked in up at 6 AM in the morning and did not look at the motor. The front floor could be patched in a couple places, but are marginal thickness. The drivers door does not close properly because the rusted rocker panel has bulged outward.

[1950 Special Deluxe]

He rebuilt it over a number of years.

He used a Dart as a donor vehicle.

[iamjeff171]

I saw this '51 Suburban today. It needs rocker panels for the drivers side. Its straight and complete. The seats are removed but are in the back. I might have got it if I had not bought my truck 2 weeks ago. I think its a good project car. I have wanted one of these, most that I see at in worse shape.

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/3107301427.html

This car was for sale in austin a few weeks back asking $900. I was going to take a look at it, but it sold in about 12 hours of being posted. Not that i need another one....

[Tim Keith]

Street Rodder magazine features a Suburban this month. There is not much original about that one.

[Plymouthy Adams]

that is why they call it street rodder...lol it has been like years since I looked at a rod mag..I used to grab one every year or so just for the advertised parts dealers etc..but 99% of the stuff is carried by one or three major suppliers on the internet and of course e-bay..just do a quick search on the internet when sitting aobut with some TV noise in the background

[chopt50wgn]

Here's a couple pics of my 50 wagon, which many have seen here already.

I am in the process of getting it to a driver. I saw the one in Rodder and am not a big fan of removing the middle bar in the side glass.It's a nicely done wagon but if I would do that, I would rather just put in metal and make it a panel wagon. But as my wife says........that's why there's chocolate and vanilla.

[Tim Keith]

The magazine denigrated the features that make old cars unique. The OEM dash is classic. Why replace the dash? The over sized tail gate hinges were replaced with hinges from a Chevy truck. Its good to see interest in the Suburban. I wish I had a place and budget for the '51 on C/L. I saw a '52 Pilot-House today in a salvage yard that is in good shape. I might ask about that truck, but I can't get it.

[chopt50wgn]

Tim..........You have to understand that every rodder out there has their own idea of what they want their car or truck to look like.

I personally hate to see any older car or truck with those bigger wheels and rubber band tires but it's not my car so I don't care.

Like I said........that's why there is chocolate and vanilla.