A superb and rare photo of the new 1976 Chevrolet Suburban , as professionally photographed for its introduction in the new model year 1976. This great image shows the very new 1976 Chevrolet Suburban, hauling a 1978 Airstream camper. Two American icons combined in one classic shot!
The image shows great detail of the car, making it also perfect for any professional restorer of these magnificent cars! The image gives a great historic feel of the era in which the Suburban as always excelled.
The Chevrolet Suburban is a large sport utility vehicle from Chevrolet. It is the longest-lived continuous automobile nameplate still in production, dating from 1934 for the 1935 U.S. model year. The Suburban has been produced under the Chevrolet, Holden, and GMC marques until the GMC version was rebranded as the GMC Yukon XL. For most of its recent history, the Suburban has been a station wagon-bodied version of the Chevrolet pickup truck, including the Chevrolet C/K and Silverado series of truck-based vehicles. Cadillac offers a version called the Escalade ESV. The Suburban has traditionally been one of General Motors' most profitable vehicles. Many automotive companies in the United States used the "Suburban" name to indicate a windowed, station wagon type body on a commercial frame including Dodge, Plymouth, Studebaker, Nash, Chevrolet, and GMC. Chevrolet began production of its all-steel "carryall-suburban" in 1935. GMC brought out its version in 1937. These vehicles were also known as the "Suburban Carryall" until GM cut the name to simply "Suburban." With the end of production of the Dodge Town Wagon in 1966 and the Plymouth Suburban station wagon in 1978, only General Motors continued to manufacture a vehicle branded as a "Suburban", and they were awarded an exclusive trademark on the name in 1988. The Chevrolet Suburban is one of the largest SUVs on the market today. It has outlasted many competitive vehicles such as the International Harvester Travelall, Jeep Wagoneer, and the Ford Excursion. The latest competitor is the extended Ford Expedition EL, which replaced the Excursion. The Suburban of today is a full-size SUV with three rows of seating, a full pickup truck frame, and V8 engine. It is one of the few station wagons available with all bench rows. The Suburban is the same height and width as the Chevrolet Tahoe, although the Suburban is 20 inches (510 mm) longer. The extra length provides a full-sized cargo area behind the up to 9 passengers to carry their luggage for an extended trip, and tow a sizeable trailer. This class of truck remains much more popular than full-sized vans which can carry even more passengers and tow trailers, though recent full-size vans lack front bench seating. In recent years, the Suburban has been popular as a police car, fire chief's vehicle, or EMS fly-car. Suburbans are also popular when converted for duty as a limousine. The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas operates a fleet of purple Suburbans to serve VIP patrons and high rollers. The United States Secret Service mainly uses black Suburbans, and operates fully armored versions for the President of the United States when he attends less formal engagements. In the late 1990s, GM also introduced a RHD version of the Suburban, badged as a Holden, for the Australian consumer. It proved to be a failure, however, and GM withdrew the Suburban in 2000 from Holden's lineup. It continues to be exported to Australia with the Chevrolet badge. Chevrolet offered a station wagon body, built on the 1/2 ton truck frame. This model was specifically built for National Guard units and Civilian Conservation Corps units. Much of the body was constructed from wood, and could seat up to eight occupants. Chevrolet offered the body style as a "Carryall Suburban". These share the front sheetmetal and frames of the 1/2 ton pickup models of the same year, but featured all-metal wagon bodies differing very little in shape from contemporary "woodie" wagons. Seating for up to eight occupants was provided, with three in front row, two in the middle row, and three in the rear row. Either rear panel doors or a rear tailgate/lift window were provided for easy loading and unloading of luggage. Suburbans were built in model years 1941, 1942, and 1946 (also, it was produced during the war as a military transport vehicle at bases). Seating for up to eight occupants was provided. Models with rear panel doors were designated "3106," while those with tailgates were designated "3116." The Chevrolet versions were equipped a 216-cubic-inch 6-cylinder engine. The GMC version was equipped with a 228-cubic-inch 6-cylinder engine. Beginning in 1954, the Hydra-Matic 4-forward-speed automatic transmission is available in the Chevrolet Suburban (GMC offered this transmission in 1953). As with the Art Deco series, models with rear panel doors were designated "3106," while those with tailgates were designated "3116." In 1952, the Suburban came with either a tail gate or panel doors. The front bench seat was split, with two seats on the drivers side and a single seat on the passenger side, which slid forwards allowing access to the rear two rows of seat. The second row was a "2/3" seat, making allowing occupants to move past to the third row, much like a modern minivan is configured, only without the side door. This was the last series to feature "Canopy Express" models. The design of the 1949 Suburban would go on to inspire the design of the Chevrolet HHR over half a century later. Updated engineering and styling on Chevrolet trucks was not introduced until March 25, 1955, in the middle of the model year. All Chevrolet truck models received new styling (different from the now famous Tri-Chevy cars) which included a flatter hood, the front fenders flush with the rest of the body, and a trapezoid grill. The inside had the V-shape speedometer that the cars did.[8] Engines included I-6 and the small block V8s. Chevrolet used its 265 V8 engine, later evolving it to a 283-cubic-inch version. GMC based their V8 on a Pontiac design. Standard Suburban model numbers continued from the previous series, but the introduction of four-wheel-drive models in 1957 added the numbers "3156" for 4WD Suburbans with panel doors, and "3166" for 4WD Suburbans with tailgates. The styling of the 1960 - 1961 model year took cues from the late 1950s Chevrolet cars and had large oval ports above the grille. Front independent suspension was new for 1960.[10] The cab featured a "wrap around" windshield. Both tailgate and "barn door" rear openings were available. From 1962 onwards, the hood styling was 'toned down' a bit, with a more modern looking hood that eliminated the large ports. In 1964, the front glass area was updated to a flatter windshield, and larger door glass. 1,150 lb (520 kg) of cargo could be carried in the back. This model series introduced a factory-equipped 4WD ("K") option for the first time. The 2WD "C" models introduced a torsion bar-based independent front suspension and trailing arm and coil spring rear. But by 1963, returned to a more conventional coil-spring approach. Engines included both I-6 and small-block V8s. A 305-cubic-inch 60 degree V-6 was also available on GMC models. The 305 was actually 'brought down' from GMCs medium duty truck line. It featured huge torque numbers, but was also notable for poor fuel economy. Transmissions were a 3-speed and 4-speed manual, and the automatic Powerglide. One interesting Chevy Suburban was a 15-passenger conversion done by Stageway of Fort Smith, Ark. These modified Suburbans had three doors on the right, had 171" wheelbase, was 273" long, and weighed 6,300 lbs. One ton (C-30), 10-foot (3 m) panel truck models were no longer available after 1966. The second generation C/K Suburbans are easily recognised by having only a single drivers side door and two passenger-side doors. They were available in both 2WD and 4WD models. Engines included the V6 (e.g., Chevrolet 292-cubic-inch I6, and GMC 305 cubic inch V6), and small-block V8s of the current model year (e.g., 283, 307, 327, 350, 400-cubic-inch V8s.) For the first time, a three-quarter ton version was available. This series would also be the last to offer C-10 & C-20 Panel truck models for commercial purposes, the last year being 1970. 1971 saw the introduction of disc brakes on the front wheels, and 1972 was the last year for coil-spring rear suspension on 2WD models. 1972 also introduced a smaller housing for the rear seat air conditioning (a unit that ran the full length of the roof had been available since 1967). The Comfort-Tilt steering wheel became optional in 1971. In 1964, Chevrolet in Brazil introduced a 5-door version of the Suburban called Veraneio (also known as C-14/16). It was based on the 1960-66 US C/K series. The Veraneio used the instrument cluster from the C/K series although the exterior sheet metal layout is exclusive to Brazil. They were initially powered with a Chevrolet 4.2-liter inline six based on the pre-1962 "Stovebolt" engines. Later they used the 250-cid 4.1-liter engine from Chevrolet's Brazilian mid-size sedan - the Opala. The original version of the Veraneio was kept in production, with another grill and interior, until 1988 (model year 1989), but it was eventually replaced with an updated version based on the C-20 family. In 1997 GM introduced in Brazil the Silverado pickup, replacing the "C Series". The Brazilian version of the Suburban, which was made in the same style of the 1992 American Tahoe until 2001, was called the Grand Blazer, a successor to the Veraneio. The 4.1-liter inline six engine with 138 hp (103 kW) was offered on both models with option for a MWM 4.2-liter turbodiesel unit with 168 hp (125 kW). With the third generation C/K models, the Suburban became a 4-door vehicle. The rounded 1970s body style remained largely unchanged for 19 model years - making this series the longest in production of any Suburban. Both 2WD and 4WD models, designated "C" and "K", were offered, as well as one-half ton and three-quarter ton ("10" and "20" on the Chevy, "1500" and "2500" for GMC) models. The one ton model designation was the C or K 30 for Chevrolet and 3500 for GMC. Suburbans for model year 1973 now had two doors on each side (the previous generation had just one door on the driver's side), front-and-rear air conditioning, a baggage rack, a heater under the third seat and step-plates for easier access. The base engine was the small-block 350-cubic-inch V8. A 400-cubic-inch V8 was optional. The 454-cubic-inch big-block V8 was now available for the first time, most commonly in the 2WD three-quarter ton models. The 6.2 L (379 cu in) 130 hp (97 kW) Detroit Diesel V8 engine was also available from 1982-onwards. The Diesel later became the engine of choice for Suburbans exported to Europe from USA. Three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmissions were available for only small block engines. The Turbo-Hydramatic 400 was used for big block and 6.2 diesel engines. The 700R4 4 speed automatic was introduced in 1981 and was available with the small block and the 6.2 diesel. Towing packages, offering gearing reduction, TH400, and cooling additions for heavy loads, were available. A "positraction" limited slip differential was optional. Later vehicles came equipped with rear anti-lock brakes (available on C and K series Suburbans). Trim options included base level, and upgraded Silverado versions. An optional 3rd row bench seat allowed for 9-passenger configurations. A rear heating system was optional, as well, to help heat the long vehicle's interior. In 1981, automatic locking front hubs were added on four-wheel-drive models, and the NP208 transfer case replaced the NP205 in most models. In 1984, asbestos was removed from rear brakes. For 1985, a new grill was used. 64,670 Suburbans were made in 1985. In 1986 and 1987, the method of fuel delivery for the engines was switched from carburetors to electronic fuel injection. The system that GM chose was called throttle body injection, or TBI. The change improved fuel economy, performance, and emissions. A heavy-duty four-speed automatic transmission, the 4L80-E was added in 1991. GM temporarily changed the usual "C/K" designation to "R" and "V" for the 1987 through 1991 model years. This was done to avoid confusion with the GMT400-based Chevrolet C/K pickup trucks, which were introduced in 1988, during the overlap period.
Chevrolet
, or Chevy , is a brand
produced by General Motors. It is the top selling GM marque, with
"Chevrolet" or "Chevy" being at times synonymous with GM.
Chevrolet has a very interesting history. Louis Chevrolet was a race-car
driver, and William Durant, founder of General Motors, had been forced out of
GM in 1910. He wanted to use Chevrolet's designs to rebuild his own reputation.
As head of Buick Motor Company, prior to founding GM, Durant had hired
Chevrolet to drive Buicks in promotional races. Chevrolet first used its
"bowtie" logo in 1913. It is said to have been designed from
wallpaper Durant once saw in a French hotel. More recent research by historian
Ken Kaufmann presents a compelling case that the logo is based from a logo for
"Coalettes". In 1915, Durant was in the process of setting up
Chevrolet production facilities in Toronto, Canada. Later that year, during a
luncheon meeting in New York with "Colonel Sam" McLaughlin, whose
McLaughlin Motor Car Company manufactured McLaughlin-Buick cars, it was agreed
that Chevrolets with McLaughlin-designed bodies would be added to the Canadian
company's product line. Three years later, the two Canadian operations
(Chevrolet was by then a part of GM in the United States) were bought by GM to
become General Motors of Canada Ltd. By 1916, Chevrolet was profitable enough
to allow Durant to buy a majority of shares in GM. After the deal was completed
in 1917, Durant was president of General Motors, and Chevrolet was merged into
GM, becoming a separate division. In the 1918 model year, Chevrolet introduced
the Model D, a V8-powered model in four-passenger roadster and five-passenger
tourer models. It also started production of a overhead valve in-line six. Most
cars of the era had only low compression flat head engines. These cars had
288in3 35 hp (26 kW) engines with Zenith carburetors and three-speed
transmissions. Chevrolet had a great influence on the American automobile
market during the 1950s and 1960s. In 1957, Chevy made the first fuel injected
engine. In 1963, one out of every ten cars sold in the United States was a
Chevrolet. The basic Chevrolet small-block V-8 design has remained in
continuous production since its debut in 1955, longer than any other
mass-produced engine in the world, although current versions share few if any
parts interchangeable with the original. Descendants of the basic small-block
OHV V-8 design platform in production today have been much modified with
advances such as aluminium block and heads, electronic engine management and
sequential port fuel injection, to name but a few. The small block Chevrolet
V-8 is used in current production model (2008) The design is simplistic as
compared to the Overhead cam V-8 that Ford Motor Company uses in its line of
larger cars and light trucks. Impala sedans, a variety of light and medium duty
Chevrolet trucks, and the current generation Corvette sports car. Depending on
the vehicle type, they are built in displacements from 4.8 to
This is a very nice and very rare non period photo that reflects a wonderful era of Chevrolet and its Suburban model history in a wonderful way. This is your rare chance to own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 10" (ca. 20 x 26 cm). It makes it perfectly suitable for framing!
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.