Cool Patina! 1972 Chevrolet Suburban
The seller says it took him 15 years to pry this 1972 Chevrolet Suburban from the hands of the original owner, and after a close look around I can definitely appreciate its charm, but now after all that effort he’s trying to find the Chevy a new home, so if you’ve been in the market for an early seventies carryall this one is certainly worth checking out. It’s located in Tucson, Arizona, and can be found here on Craigslist, with the asking price set at $30,000. Barn Finds reader Pat L. sent us the tip here, and we’d like to thank him for the submission!
Going back to when the Suburban was new, it started life out in Casper, Wyoming, but 5 years later moved with the original owner to the Grand Canyon State. We don’t find out how long ago the seller acquired it, but after a decade and a half of showing interest, the Chevy finally became his. Some of the issues that were taken care of under his watch included having some dents repaired and small areas of rust behind the rear wheels addressed, with the latter cut out of the body and new metal put in. The fixed sectors were then repainted, with the blending said to match nearly perfectly, and about 80% of the finish is still original. This was followed by a complete buffing of the body, and I have to agree that the exterior is showing some beautiful patina.
Things inside are not disappointing either, with a combination of well-preserved original items and a few new parts as well. Both the front and rear seats have been recovered, but not before being rebuilt, and that ostrich-type black vinyl and houndstooth cloth definitely look inviting. The rubber floormats and dash pad are original, but there’s a new steering wheel and a vintage aftermarket AM/FM/Cassette Stereo that is still working, as are all the gauges, plus you also get a functioning CB radio! It’s looking good in the cargo area too, as the original wood floor has been treated to a high-quality black paint job.
You could equip a Blazer with a 4-Wheel-Drive in ’72, but this one is a 2WD model, having covered 125,000 miles over the span of its lifetime. There’s a 350 V8 under the hood with a 4-Barrel on top, which is stated to run like new, with the seller claiming that the Suburban is quiet and tight. It’s got a 4-Speed with 3.73 gears in the back, and at some point, a non-factory dual exhaust system was added. The owner also floats the idea of possible trades, such as an earlier like-model or perhaps a late sixties or early seventies C10 short bed, so hit him up if you’re interested in a swap. What are your thoughts on this 1972 Chevrolet Suburban, and its price tag of thirty grand?
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Comments
Being an original analog SUV it looks pretty good but $30K for a 2wd?
Not around here…
It’s ads like this, that anger me beyond civil words. Took the guy 15 years to get the original owner to sell,, and now he’s flipping it.
Wanna bet on the difference between his ask and what he duped the poor original owner out of it for?
I have a 65 that presents like it and has a non original 402 in it. Used to belong to a dear friend and neighbor of my Granddads.
I’ll be leaving it to a kid who has helped me with chores around my place and wouldn’t accept much pay. He looks at it and I see his love for it. I let him make runs to the stores in it for me. He’s always been careful with it and is quite respectful.
Unlike those who have pried on me about it,, probably just wanting to flip it like those jerks on TV.
That’s a smart and righteous thing to do sir-good on you!
I’m guessing the person that would pay 30k for this would also be one who would pay 45k+ for an old bronco ….makes no sense to me to pay that kind of $ for a vehicle that you wouldn’t want to use it as it was intended least you scratch or dent it up. To many people with too much money and no clue. Most people that had these type of rigs when they were young adults, like me, in the early ’80s, and wouldn’t mind having another have long since been priced out of the market…..sad…
This was the old mans Suburban after the ’67 police ambulance Suburban, only his had a white roof and automatic. This was the best he had that tolerated his lack of maintenance. He had a plethora of vehicles to pull our campers with, all with poor results. This got us “there” everytime with no issues. The biggest station wagon a family could get, when families were big, and did big things. The Suburban sure stood the test of time as the most successful vehicle, from humble family outings to the newly formed BarnFinds Comment Police,,they truly did it all. Another great find, BUT again,, that 3rd pedal going to limit sales.
BTW, friends, I just noticed, my old squarebody is for sale again, the guy did nothing to it, and wants $3500 bucks. I wasn’t too far off, and probably begins it’s long trip down money making lane. A shame, really, it was just a good ol’ truck to me.
“the newly formed BarnFinds Comment Police” – hey Howard, I like that.
Pretty sure the Suburban is the longest running model Chevy has ever built. The cars and trucks names have come and gone yet the name Suburban is still being used. Always has been an SUV before that was a thing. This is a good old basic truck, lacking in modern creature comforts, but solid transportation. Price, well what’s a pickup of the same year going for?
A name so popular New York DMV calls station wagons Suburbans.
Cool truck .Worth 30k …nope. 10-15 imo. Like the barn doors.
He was after this truck for 15 years. And finally got the original owner to part with it. So he could ask double the price that this truck is worth. Fantastic.
Yeah he bought it to flip it nice guy huh. Cheating the guy he bought it off of.
My dad had one used for a company truck. It kept electrical things dry. Used it one time to go bear hunting in the UP. Glad we had it cause the wind howled all week long, along with rain.
It actually got pretty decent mpg having an old Chevy 6 banger and a 3 on the tree. I miss those days of simplicity !
This is the type of vehicle you need if your worried about an EMP !
I had a 74, bought it new for $3000.
Just a couple of years and the paint held the rust together
It had the popular 350 engine and I maintained it but had to replace it twice, I think they build that engine much better now.
$30,000 ?????
“cool patina” = rust. oxidation is as oxidation does. life is like an oxidized box of chocolates.
If you listen quietly at night you can hear the chevys rust you to sleep
Let’s see if the comment police tag this one. A big, heavy suburban with a little ol 350? It needs a FORD big block high torque engine, maybe a 428 CJ, or any 1970s 429, then there’s the truck 460. Now that’s an improvement. What do you guys think?
If you want massive torque at low rpm for this truck a 500 cubic inch Cadillac or a 455 Buick is the way to go.
This would also be an excellent solution to any Ford powered vehicles.
Is there a thumb down anywhere on this page ? 449,000 on my 350 Chevy and it still runnin
We “members” voted the thumbs down thing away. I was the biggest opponent to the thumbs down. Thumbs up means you agree, thumbs down is a cop out. I said, if you disagree, let’s hear why. Talk to me, brother!!!
How many cars and trucks have you had that thing in? You should call Ripley’s!
Nice truck. As in good shape as you could find. This is why it’s priced so high. Would I cough up 30 large for it? Not a chance. But if someone else wants to then go for it. BTW, Howard, did I miss something? Barn Find Comments Police? What a hoot!
Big C I bought the truck from a friend who’s son brought it me from Idaho. At between 200-250,000 it started using a little oil. So i switched to Rotella T 15-40. It still only uses about 1 quart every 800-1000 miles. I’ll have to admit around that time it got miss used and I quit changing the oil regularly. I’m a horseshoer and was busy putting 35-40,000 miles a year. The rings are wore badly but it still does not smoke or smell like it’s burning oil. It sits all winter (the last 5) in Wyoming and it starts right up in the spring. I’ve put 1 intake gasket on at about 225,000, 1 water pump and 1 alternator at about 440,000 miles. Several new brakes and 2 clutches ! It’s just a beater now and just get drove around the mountains but I wouldn’t be afraid to take it across country. It’s in a k1500 1996.
HOWARD A : anyone thinking that 350 in this old suburban isn’t enough is off their rocker
15 years to pester, badger, whine, “pry” from the hands of the original owner, I’m guessing less than 10% of the $30K being asked. Sounds like the seller is a real Fart Smeller…..I mean Smart Feller
As to the naysayers, this actually a good value. Square bodies are approaching $50k, for a pickup! These are indeed spartan but can be modified to any extent that the many dreamers may wish. A 2WD Suburban is also a very capable inclimate weather unit! The right tires & driver, very capable. Yes, chains, a strap and a high lift jack would be mandatory, but one has the room to store them!
I believe you meant “inclement weather”.
Hi Bill, to be clear, these were the “Action Line” and the squarebody was more for the next generation. I beg to differ, I recently sold my ’77 GMC 2wd short box for $2500, and is now for sale again for $3500. I don’t mean to be rude, but anyone that pays $50 grand for one, even with the sticker in the window, should have their head examined.
friend puda “missing dor” on 1. Could never tell it didnt come equipped that way. Was a sheet metal (not necessarily auto body) guy. Made it all up at the shop w/his father.