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2026 Chevrolet Suburban Review
This expertly restored 1965 Chevrolet Suburban is a battleship on wheels and no detail has gone unnoticed.
1965 Chevrolet Suburban: Full Sized Utility
1965 Chevrolet Suburban – carsforsale.com | Shop 1965 Chevrolet Suburban on Carsforsale.com
Chevrolet was a pioneer in the full-size utility wagon segment, and unlike many of its rivals of that time—like the Ford Bronco and the International Harvester Scout II—that went away and are now being brought back, the Suburban has been a constant, standing the test of time in the segment it created.
With the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban now in its twelfth generation, it is still the forerunner of modern full-size SUVs that stylishly combines a station wagon body with the powertrain and chassis of a pickup truck.
With Suburban being the longest continuously used name plate in history, you can bet there are some gems out there like today’s cool car find, a 1965 Chevrolet Suburban that made the transformation from rural school bus to retro cool and proves these legends were made to last.
The Warship on Wheels
On the heels of the Great War and the Great Depression practicality was king and Chevrolet saw the need for an everyday vehicle that was tough, could be driven on the roughest roads, and was big enough to haul plenty of people and cargo. This innovative beast made its debut in 1935 and sat on a truck chassis with a steel station wagon body atop.
Called the Chevrolet Suburban Carryall, it was a cross between a passenger car, a half-ton truck, and a warship. The Suburban offered seating for up to eight passengers—three on the front bench seat, two on the second row, and three on the third row—with two doors and either a hinged-side rear door or a folding tailgate. Removeable rear seats offered flexibility when cargo needs exceeded passenger needs.
This first Suburban Carryall was powered by Chevrolet’s “Stovebolt” 194-cu-in OHV inline six-cylinder gasoline engine producing 60 horsepower and paired with a three-speed manual transmission. First appearing in 1929, this engine got its nickname “Stovebolt” because the bolts used on it looked similar to the ones that held wood stoves together.
The 1940s saw a new generation of the Carryall Suburban with a bigger, more powerful engine. Most production of this model was supplied to the U.S. military for service during World War II.
The Customer Base Broadens
The third and fourth generations of the Carryall Suburban got updated styling and a new 235 cu- in “Thriftmaster” inline six that was mated to either a three or four speed manual transmission or a Hyda-Matic four speed automatic. A small block 265-cu-in V8 producing 145 horsepower also became an option.
The most notable update for this generation of Suburban was the introduction of four-wheel-drive, an offering that expanded the Suburban’s customer base to include industrial and agricultural users, as well as being a great option for a hunting and fishing recreational vehicle. These practical uses would be the inspiration for the “Sports Utility Vehicle” name.
See our cool car find from the third generation of Chevrolet’s counterpart: a 1951 GMC Woodie Suburban.
A New Era of Utility and Comfort
The Fifth Generation of the Chevrolet Suburban was introduced in 1960 and it brought improved passenger comfort and improved handling with a fully independent front suspension that was identical to Chevrolet’s passenger cars. Styling continued to progress in this generation and included wrap-around windscreens, a popular feature on passenger cars of that era.
Fifth generation Suburbans were powered by one of four different inline six-cylinder gasoline engines, a V6, or one of two V8 engines. The 305 cu-in V6 engine produced 150 horsepower and was one of the first V6 engines produced by a US manufacturer.
Our Cool Car Find Example
We go more in depth on all generations of the Chevrolet Suburban in our Chevrolet Suburban Through The Years article, but the fifth generation brings us to our cool car find, a 1965 Chevrolet Suburban.
This example is one of only 444 made with barn doors in the back and is a genuine two-door Chevrolet K10 Suburban. Once used as a school bus in rural Montana, this Suburban only has 47K actual miles, and has undergone a full restoration, taking it back to its original factory appearance, with both original and aftermarket parts.
The body is free from rust or damage and repainted in Indian Turquoise and white. The front even has a working Braden PTO winch with a new cable – making this Suburban an even rarer find.
1965 Chevrolet Suburban 283-175 HP – carsforsale.com | Shop 1965 Chevrolet Suburban on Carsforsale.com
You’ll find the interior to be well maintained and restored with reupholstered seats in correct reproduction deluxe materials and the addition of seatbelts. Both the original rubber mats and the headliner are in excellent condition. A unique layout for sure, these ’65 Suburbans feature a split front row that allows the passenger seat to be moved so that passengers can access the rear seats.
Under the hood is a rebuilt 283 cu-in V8 engine that is paired with a four-speed manual transmission and a 3.73-geared Positraction rear end. With the original spicer hubs in place, rebuilt brakes, a new alternator, a professionally rebuilt carburetor, and NOS Delco shocks at all four corners, this legendary beast of a people mover is ready to go just about anywhere you want to go, turning heads all along the way.
