The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs How popular are the Suburbans?

How popular are the Suburbans anyway? I know of a real beauty of a 56 or 57. I could probably get it but I have no Idea of what to give for something like that. It is complete and sitting. It has a 80/20 bench seat in it and zero rust around the rear doors. Extremely solid and intact. Can someone give me a range of price for a Suburban that need restoration that is complete and very little rust (If any to speak of)? No I don't have a picture.

Burbs and Panels rule!

the 55-57 burbs are quite popular and if you're lookin to fix up one to sell, you could turn a good dollar on it, if you'd just like to have one for yerself, don't pass a good one up, they're not common

buddy of mine that drags stuff up from N & SD area for parts and resale would think 800-1200 would be a great deal, 1500-2000 would be ok, but too much for him, w/ his expenses, but being in the area I'd think if you had to pay as much 2000 for one that's really rust free and complete, you'd be doin fine

Bill

VALUE: I would guess anywhere from $500 - 3500.

PERFECT FENDERS ..... $150 - 250 EA.

PERFECT HOOD ..... $50 - 200

PERFECT DOORS .....$100 - 250 EA.

COMPLETE FRONT SEAT .....$100 - 250

COMPLETE REAR SEATS (2).......$200 - 800 EA.

PERFECT REAR DOORS .... $150 - 300 PR.

PERFECT INTERIOR SIDE WINDOW TRIM AND OTHER TRIM PIECES ........ $100 - 200

UNRUSTED BODY WITHOUT PARTS .....$500 - 1000

MISC. PARTS .....$350

HASSEL OF BUYING, STORING, PARTING, SHIPPING AND DEALING WITH [censored]HOLES......PRICELESS!
............g

My Burb is very popular with me! I can haul stuff for my wallpaper business and have the good visibility of all the neat windows. Smitty

HMMMM : Lets see how does this work ? you hammer me on my post then come over here and coach this guy's post and almost incurage him to make an extra buck, go figure. woodythx138 or 1940 gmc burb guy

What's the price?
Does it run?
Check carefully for rust around the back wheels. Look under the rear fenders for inner fender rust. There are NO reproductions from the door to the back so metal work for rust can be tricky.

If there is no rust along the bottom of the truck from the door to the rear bumper I would be surprised. The slider windows allow water to run down into the body. Over time dirt fills the space where the water would drain and rust developes from the standing water.

Just a few things to think about. I will tell you a pre 1960 burb is an attention getter no matter where you go. They are soooooo rare.

Prices on theses Burb will range drastically..depending on what's there. It's a little deceiving to alot of folks how to gage it. For example, a rolling chassis with no engine or transmission, missing OE seats, window trim, crack/missing glass, no title will sell for $2500-$3000 all day. Then you have a one that's unmolested, compelete with 3 row of seats, window trims, engine and tranny (may not be running) and even with the original radio and title selling for $5000 and guys will say it's too much . IMO it's cheaper to buy the later one because it's complete and it saves you from having to hunt for the missing parts , but what do I know, I like rope burns

Update: I picked the suburban up a couple of weeks ago. Here it is.

http://www.stovebolt.com/gallery/vandenberg_steve_1957.html

Builder,

That's a nice looking truck. Get it running and I assure you that you will always cruise with a smile on your face.

Tim

Nice 'burb Builder. I owned a Tan colored '57 Chevy Suburban, back in the late 80's. Sold it to my brother thinking he was going to keep it.It had been in the family, ever since back in the 60's. You guessed it. He turned it for a quick $

what out ..dont spend much on any burb,they just dont sell that good,now if you want to almost give it away then go ahead an invest,i have a really good 1948 burb,its listed in here and it almost like iam going to have to give it away,but i wont,i just got stung when i paid 5K for it,but all my burb freinds said it was worth it..NOT TRUE..bob

SPANKY..CARS AND BURBS ARE LIKE HOUSES..YOU ARE SUPOSE TO MAKE MONEY ON THEM,YOUR BROTHER WAS LUCKY TO SELL IT..THANK GOD IT DIDNT JUNK IT..BOB

This 1953 Suburban did not sell. Got a pretty high bid, considering it only had a few non-stock oddities.

If he would have lowered his original craigslist price ($21,500)he would have sold it. I believe he sold this one offline, because the auction stated that it was no longer available. He had another 48 that he was asking $4500 for but it was a typical field pull with cosmetic primer over dents and what turned me off, a welded radio hole in the dash. The engine sat for many years before they got it running and when I saw it, they couldn't get it to run at all. I liked it, but he was about $1000 over priced, considering what still needed to be completed. Suburbans sell if they are accurately described and reasonably priced.

Truth. Amen.

That Burb was owned by a guy in the Lodi, CA area who did a beautiful job of restoring it. He sold it about six months ago for far less than what was listed on cragslist. It's a nice in-line 6 driver

If you're buying old trucks as an investment you're in this for the wrong reason.

I agree after buying a vehicle thats been sitting in a barn and you figure your giong to fix it and sell it to make money. You've got another thing coming. It almost impossible to make money on a fixed vehicle if you take consideration all the hours you spent wrenching on it never mind all the parts you have to buy. The only exeption would be a very rare vehicle like a COPO Camaro.

I've been watching that show Wrecks to Riches sometimes. That guy seems able to pick winners and make money most the time.

But unless you have a big name like his, and can afford to seriously pursue the top dollar buyers, this is not a money-making business. At best you might persuade the IRS its a bad business and manage some write-offs.

But that only works if you like paperwork and I'd rather play with my trucks...

I figure when I sell a vehicle that I have to be willing to sit on it for a while and possibly keep it.

If you are in a hurry to sell becasue you need the money, it's almost a given that you will take less for it than you think it is worth.

It seems that these days a vehicle better be worth $40,000 or more when you are done restoring it, or you won't make enough on it to make it worth while.

Old trucks don't bring the $$ old cars do. Trucks, and especially Suburbans, seem to go to a pretty narrow market. If someone wants an old truck, it's because he needs to haul parts, dirt bikes, etc. He buys the truck knowing it's not a family vehicle...which is a big deal when you can go to any dealership today and buy a truck with an extended cab.
Suburbans are even more unique--you can haul parts with them, but you're limited, due to the roof. You can't stack tall stuff, you probably wouldn't want to carry an engine, drit bikes won't fit, etc.
Or you want to use it as a family vehicle...again, not as practical as a truck with 4 doors, or a vintage station wagon for that matter.
I needed a truck to tow my car trailer, and to haul stuff for the swap meet I promote each month. The swap meet dictated some sort of enclosed vehicle. I wanted something vintage, and was going to buy a pick-up. The suburban popped up, and I thought it would be perfect for my very narrow needs. And it is.
But while it's cool, I doubt I'd ever make a ton of money on it. But I plan on keeping it, so that's not an issue. If I sold it and broke even, after driving it for years, that'd be great. And a better investment than a new truck!
-Brad

They're VERY popular with me, but the prices for the pre-73s around here are downright obscene - if you can even find one. For now I'll just have to lavish all my attention (and $$$!) on my '87.

I have a '55-2 suburban gmc that I'm selling. It's a complete body sitting on a 74 chev frame with no motor or tranny front is all chrome and interior is complete with all three seats in good condition. anybody out there want to make an offer ?