Vehicle Description
1972 Chevrolet C20 Suburban
A "sleeper car" is a vehicle that has a high performance engine and
capabilities, but an unassuming or ordinary exterior appearance.
It's designed to blend in with regular traffic while surprising
unsuspecting drivers with its speed and power. The term comes from
the concept of a "sleeper agent" in espionage, who looks like an
ordinary person but is actually a trained operative.
For consignment, a 1972 Chevrolet C20 Suburban with 13,000 miles
since built. We'll get to that build, but we first offer the story
of a California truck, purchased by a father for a father and son
trip along Route 66, trekking 3,000 miles all the way to
Pennsylvania. The truck made it without issue and even provided
camping accommodations with a mattress in back in place of the
second and third row.
Exterior
And here's where sleeper status comes in to play as this Burnished
Gold single stage paint shows what many consider desirable patina.
The unassuming color is not even with blotches of a darker brown in
areas, awesomely rough but just clean enough not to upset the HOA.
Dark tinted windows add an air of coolness to the long lines and
16-inch wheels painted white provide nice contrast and are wrapped
in LT rated tires. An eggcrate grille is fully intact between the
round LED headlights in square bezels and the modest rectangle tail
lights are the highlight of the rear along with the vintage
California plate and decals that document its cross country trip.
At the shoulder line, a white trim piece encircles the cab, just
above a tan pinstripe, both adding some visual interest to this
slab sided people carrier. There's a dent on the left fender we
probably wouldn't touch, some bubbling, scratches, and a bent pinch
weld under the rocker panel.
Interior
Tongue and groove planks make up the headliner giving the interior
a California woodie/surfer vibe. Patina finds its way on the
inside, evident on the door panels where a plastic insert fits
inside the painted door. Seats include newer tan cloth upholstery
on the bench up front and the two more behind, all in good
condition. A textured black plastic steering wheel with billet
stalks fronts the woodgrain faced instrument cluster that houses
newer Dakota gauges all around. Moving right, we find the AM/FM
radio that appears vintage but has Bluetooth capabilities, over a
Vintage Air control panel which itself tops the screen for the
Holley EFI system. The custom center console houses cup holders and
some storage over the transmission tunnel. Gold loop carpet covers
the floor nicely, including the way back.
Drivetrain
It's time to wake up this sleeper with a 5.3 liter V8 under the
hood sporting a Holley Terminator X EFI injection system and mated
to a 4L80E 4-speed automatic transmission that routes power to the
Dana 60 axle with 3.54 gears and Positraction. Power drum brakes
are at all four wheels to bring this big Chevy to a halt, and both
front and back have been maintained with newer components. Headers
begin the exhaust process.
Undercarriage
Ah, California! Other than some light and typical surface rust, the
underside is clean and solid and the only oil we see is a drop or
two on the pan and some on one A-arm. The exhaust is purposefully
tucked up into the frame and includes mandrel bends in the 2.5"
system, Flow FX FlowMaster mufflers, and 3.5" stainless tips that
exist behind each rear wheel. Suspension here included coil springs
up front and a swing arm with coil springs in back. The rig is
lowered 2" with CPP coils. Our consignor tells us the driveshaft is
a custom one piece unit.
Drive-Ability
Well, it feels pretty pedestrian until you turn the key and the 5.3
comes immediately to life and bellows out the exhaust with an
impressive note that will serve as bear repellent as you traverse
our national parks in this family hauler. The truck has more power
and acceleration than its mottled gold coat would suggest, and the
sound is absolutely hypnotizing as you get up to speed. Other than
that horn, all other functions on this well sorted sleeper operate
as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these
functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot
guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your
purchase.
Grab your picnic basket Yogi, this is one adventure vehicle that is
great for quick trips to the park, and by quick we mean decently
fast for a brown behemoth. If a cosmetic restoration is in your
wheelhouse of desire, this one certainly has the California bones
to get it done. But if you're into the sleeper look, this well
running, three row suburban fits the bill and represents a now
rarely seen classic "SUV" that is the grandfather of the modern
Yukon Denali, Jeep Waggoneer, and Cadillac Escalade.
CCE262F185557
C-Chevrolet
C-4x2
E-V8 Gasoline
2-3/4 Ton
6-Suburban
2-1972
F-Flint, MI Assy Plant
185557-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
