The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs How much for 1952 Suburban?

I have found a 1952 suburban for sale, it is complete original and drives. little rust and all the seats, it also has some of the original paperwork. Are the ambulance doors worth more or less? Thanks

Sweet find in my opinion. As another thread was saying, suburbans may or may not bring a lot of money when trying to sell. Seems like you have to find the right guy, or the right two guys with regard to ebay. What you have found is worth just about as much as any I would say just shy of first gen suburbans, and the original seats are a big plus. I believe the clam shell door are a little more desireable, but who cares, if the price is right it would be on a trailer tomorrow! As a bonus, you will get no more attention than when you drive a suburban. Everybody loves our 64, even older people at stop lights ask "What is it?". Don't drive it if you don't want to co-mingle with onlookers.

I would love to have an old suburban!

54Chev5window...I have a '52 Burb...paid @ $4K (about 5 yrs ago) in terrible shape...no middle or rear seat, body in tough shape and engine block cracked. You can see the before and after in the '52 gallery. I would say if you can get it for less the $4k...go for it. Barn door and clamshell are a "toss-up" view...I have "barn doors". Good luck

I'd love to have the rear seats out of a Suburban!!

Well without pictures or price its a little hard to comment on the deal...

Suburbans are far less common than the pickups and panels, but you see more Suburbans than Canopy Expresses. I own two, both a bit rusty, only one is a driver.

I love them and drove my '55 1st to work today. I paid less than $4000 for it, but would not sell it for twice that.

Don't pay more than you can afford, but don't be afraid to pay what it takes to get one you like. Just don't buy it thinking you'll be making money on it. If you do there are better and safer investments out there.

Depending on the quality of the Suburban the price varies. They go on ebay for around $800 to $25000. If the Suburban is in poor shape expect to pay under $1800. If it has the complete set of seats expect competition and you will pay more. If it is in running condition complete with minimal rust expect to pay from $2000 to $5000. With that in mind learn about the vehicle before jumping into it. The parts are harder to find and more expensive. They present more problems when you start thinking about stripping whether in a tank or blasting. Learn where to look for rust and look for missing parts. I prefer them over pickups and panels. If you decide to sell the seats I, like the others are interested in them for my Suburbans. But if I were giving you my opinion I would suggest that you keep them with the Suburban it will increase your chances of selling the Suburban in the future.

I forgot to mention the rear doors. The "ambulance doors" (usually referred to as barn doors but they are really cargo doors) are great for moving cargo and people from the rear and are the most common. The clamshell doors (lift gate and tailgate) are preferable to many, but are difficult to climb in and out of the back or to load heavy materials. I have both, I think the clamshell doors look the best but the barn doors are the easiest to use and they don't look bad either.

Thanks for the info, I sent an offer today, so we'll see!

Hi..good luck with offer..I bought my rusty 36 Sub on ebay a few years back..and everything was in it, seats lights on ceiling all of it..but needed a lot of body work, and after 22 months of a lotta work and a lot o' cash..it turned out well, you will do fine buying it..I sold it to a collector of GM in Denver who had to own it for a huge profit...you will love the loks you'll get when it's finished..Bruce Duykers...(my Suburban is on the website here and also nationally under 36 suburbans..Bruce in Sandpoint Idaho.

Bruce,I believe Cory bought it back in 2006, this is an old thread.