Vehicle Description
1948 Chevrolet Suburban
Originally, rat rods were a counter-reaction to the high-priced
"customs" and typical hot rods, many of which were seldom driven
and served only a decorative purpose. The rat rod's inception
signified a throwback to the hot rods of the earlier days of
hot-rod culture-built according to the owner's abilities and with
the intention of being driven. Rat rods are meant to loosely
imitate, in both form and function, the "traditional" hot rods of
the era. Biker, greaser, rockabilly, psychobilly, and punk
subcultures are often cited as influences that shaped rat
rodding.
For consignment the counterculture version of a garage queen hot
rod in the form of a rat rod. A 1948 Suburban from the bowtie group
fits the part to a T! A little bit of intentionally left on rust,
aging, previous coats of paint, and some mixers in nice chrome.
Mostly original parts used, slammed, and some new mechanicals and
instruments, and you are good to go you dirty boy, you.
Exterior
This car walks a fine line between invasive rust and rust adding
character, erring on the side of the latter, along with peeling
paint, previous paint, rusted add ons, old beat up badging, some
missing parts and some snappy wide Coker radial whites in excellent
condition which wrap powder coated steel wheels, also excellent. We
have a sound, fabulously beat up just before its ready to say uncle
Suburban that has plenty of character and probably a slightly true
story to go along with it which you will makeup upon its purchase.
Think of it as a blank canvas, where you the artist will utilize on
your wall (or garage and shows) to tell said tall tale, the more
embellished the more valuable this vehicle becomes!! Noted anything
important to the safe functioning of this car has been well hidden
but certainly attended to, so despite it looking fresh from the
junkyard in actuality it is a work of intentional planned art, that
like a savant runs like a Swiss Watch, but looks like it was
salvaged from the Titanic. Ultra cool in my book.
Interior
A creaky swing of the doors which BTW are solidly hinged, we see
bare bones door panels which actually show the inner workings of
said door. Some shiny handles and a nice armrest float in an
otherwise unkempt raw door panel. Moving inside across the black
shiny rattle can painted floors of solid metal, we can plop our
bodies into some low back, black vinyl buckets which are in nice
condition, no tears, rips or cracks! In front of these chairs
resides the original dash in its rusted metal form, but with a
touch of elegance with new Digital Dakota instruments in old style
looks, shiny bezels, and accurate readings all working. Vintage
heat and air have been added and working perfectly I might add,
electric wipers on new glass and a new wiring harness. All else is
left to the imagination, but the creature comforts are well working
within this rat body. 2 more buckets are in back as well as a cargo
area, and mostly peeling paint and aged pre restored condition
panels line the interior. The headliner is what appears to be foam
carpet padding which is tightly secured to the roof and has some
rusted crossmembers to make sure it stays in. In back are dual
swinging doors for easy cargo access.
Drivetrain
Like a fresh dollop of whipped cream on a 3 day old piece of pie,
the 5.3 liter V8 is taking up every rusted inch of the engine bay.
This has EFI and a 460LE 4-speed automatic on the back. A 10-bolt
Chevy S-10 rear takes the brunt of power emanating forth from this
beautiful mill, all wrapped in rusted corroded dripping glory metal
engine bay, but not a touch of any wear on this pristine monster
within I just described.
Undercarriage
Again no fooling around on the structural aspect, suspension and
mechanicals underneath, as a Mustang II front end is now on
complete with rack and pinion steering, and good solid leaf springs
for the rear. Like new power disc brakes are on front, and power
drums for the rear with a turbo muffler and shiny pipes snaking
their way past solid steel framing and floorpans as well as
rockers.
Drive-Ability
Upon first impression you'll either love it or hate it. Once you
drive it though you begin to "get it" and its merely the rat rod
look that is fooling you. The power plant and drivetrain as well as
suspension is no fooling around with gobs of power to shake some of
the rust off the outside, and your brain upon a push of the
accelerator to the floor. Smooth shifting and actually rattle free
cruising has been achieved all the while have it looking like it
was sitting outside since it was purchased from the dealer. A great
driver.
It's the look, it's the story (which you will make totally up), and
it's the movement in car artistry, which is on this metal canvas,
from 1948 Chevrolet. Rat Rodding at its finest on the beat up look
end, and on the pristine well oiled mechanical end neatly hidden
underneath all that rust! A super cool build, well thought out, and
very sound on the mechanicals even of it "don't look it".
VIN DECODE
8FPD3801
8-Atlanta, GA Assy Plant
F-1948
P-3100 Series 1/2 Ton
D-April Build
3801-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
