Should a Post '73 Suburban Be Classed as a Wagon?

The early Suburbans (1936 - 1972) should be classified as wagons if they have the two (or three) seats and have the liftgate/tailgate, not the "barn doors". I owned a '67 GMC Suburban configured the very same way, and I always considered it a wagon. The '63 Dodge Custom 880 wagon and the '67 Belvedere I wagon I had at that same time, had three seats, and a tailgate, so why should the Sub with full seating NOT be considered a wagon? If a truck frame is the sole disqualifier, then many of the older station wagons would also have to be reclassified as trucks, since many were on what was called a commercial chassis, which was heavier than the standard automotive chassis.

To jack things around even more, some states license a pickup as a "truck", while the very same vehicle as a carryall-style is a "car". Go figure, right?

The term "SUV" is a marketing term that is only about 15 years old. The 1964 Jeep Wagoneer is a wagon, NOT an SUV. The Willys wagon is a wagon, NOT an SUV.

Another car I'd consider as a wagon is the Dodge Magnum. Also, the Chrysler Pacifica. What about the Nissan Murano? All of these so-called "crossovers" are wagons, IMO. They are not minivans, and they are not "SUV"s.

 

I would classify them a bit differently. I don't know how they break down the Suburbans now, but in the past, you could have a Suburban that was either based on the 1/2-ton frame ('10' in the VIN, or in the case of a GMC, a '15') or a 3/4 ton frame ('20' or '25' in the VIN). I believe some years you could even get a 1-ton suburban ("30") (look at the special-use ones, ordered by government / industry)

1/2 ton-based: station wagon
Anything more: truck
For a Ford reference, I think most of us would agree a Ford Excursion is NOT a station wagon.

Note: Yes, I KNOW the vehicles were not necessarily RATED as "1/2" to "1" ton vehicles. I'm just referring to the same terminology the industry uses.

 

I'd agree with you on the 1/2-ton vs. 3/4-ton vs one-ton discussion - the 3/4 and one-ton Subs (and similar vehicles) would be trucks. The 1/2-ton version would be classified as a wagon, IMO.

This "crossover" stupidity (and the term itself) is simply a marketing method of calling what really qualifies as a wagon as what they tout as "all-new" in what they term a "crossover"; a mix of minivan and SUV. Please! Cal them what they are - station wagons!!! Yeah, I know, it's not as attractive a term to the buying public, because "crossover" sounds "new". Might just be semantics, but words mean things.

 

oh sure...i go out for the day and you guys start WW3....and i wasnt here to play?!
for me...if you cant see daylite under it...then ...!...it could be called a wagon !

I have a 59 International ambulance...is it a wagon?
(yes Normin...i know...its a Meat wagon)

but even in my books...this topic has more Grey area than a Elephants arse......badoomp tchshshs

none the less...the only time that i've thought of them as wagons....was when i couldnt see under them....just my 2bits

 

Well, back in 73' looks like GM considered the Suburban as a wagon, because its in the 1973 Chevy wagon brochure with the other wagons such as the Caprice, Impala, Bel-Air, Malibu, Vega, etc.

I would not mind having a NICE, ORIGINAL 1973 Suburban 9-passenger model, LOADED with the Silverado option and with the rare woodgrain option. If you look toward the back of this 73' ad, you can see a Suburban with the woodgrain option! My grandpa has a 76' Suburban Silverado, but its not all that high optioned. It has A/C, tilt wheel and deluxe cloth interior/carpeting. Still in pretty good shape too and being a southern truck, its not that rusty yet, but we get alot of rain/humidity here, so its taking a toll. Whats more is that he rarely drives it.

 

^^^

I was working at a Chevrolet dealer parts department in the summer of '72 when the new '73's came in. The new Chevy trucks and Suburbans were quite a big step forward - lots more modern than the vehicles they were replacing. (And I remember when the '67's came out - they were a big improvement too.)

Well anyway, the Chevelle was new at the same time, and I was pretty blah about it, but I remmeber viewing the new Suburbans as pretty cool. The fact that you could now get one with power windows and locks, and other 'car' luxury options allowed it to reach more buyers. You started to see a lot more Suburbans on the road after that....

 

Wow, it must have been cool to have worked in a Chevy dealer in 1972. If I had a time machine, I would go back and get you to order some parts for my 72' wagon. Some that I cannot get now. :banghead3:

Yes, in 73' the Suburban/Blazer was a big change from the older ones. The Suburban became a true 4dr, which was one plus. The 72' Suburban was a 3-door - why, I have no idea.

 

Although I am late in the game in this discussion here's my two cents, 2wd Suburbans are simply truck-based wagons (as long as its not jacked up to the freakin' stratosphere because some idiot who fails to understand the laws of physics thinks it looks cool and "manly").

Many trucks with a station wagon body from the 1930s to about 1990 were considered simply truck-based wagons (in fact Kentucky titles many so-called SUVs and crossovers as such even today).

I had a 2000 Explorer Sport (2-door version) that was 2wd up until about March of this year when I flipped it due to an unfortunate combination of incremental weather and worn tires. I considered it a 2-door truck-based wagon (that still had sh***y gas mileage) which made me want a "real" station wagon. That is when I bought my wonderful "Chrissie Cruise" and she can haul ass and and a lot of stuff.

 

well i reckon i,ll get in on this ,,,i,d call it a wagon,,,,my 84 i had,, had the three seats, fully loaded and the rear drop down tailgate ala station wagon,, a station wagon on steroids,, and i hauled a ton of stuff in mine even bein the the half ton two wheel drive version

 

i understand the height requirement issue but requiring it to be 2wd to be a stationwagon....i think our resident AMC Eagle freak may have a few words about that one!

 

I had 2 of them one a Chevy another was a GMC both were very wagon like except for the GMC it was a 4x4. Mine was titled in NC as a station wagon even though it was on a truck frame. Maybe we can find a way to set some standards as what is a wagon and not a wagon other than the oblivious

 

you know what... i never thought of that... here in pa i had a 1993 jeep cherokee and it was titiled as a station wagon.

 

I would definitely consider most crossovers and SUVs as wagons. After all the SUV as we know it today evolved from truck-based wagons like the classic Suburban.

I will now consider most hatchbacks as wagons unless they have a real cargo space. The Scion xB yes (although it is fugly as hell) but the VW Golf would be a no.
However, I am not sure if this is a hatchback or crossover or what but Toyota has got to stop making ugly (and overpriced) cars that for sure. I mean if they are going to make it near my hometown in Georegtown, KY (it is based on the Camry body, where they make Camrys and Solaras) make it look good. Why can't they resurrect the Camry wagon (and just raise the supsension a little and offer AWD a la the Subaru Outback) and call it the new Highlander (which is based on the Camry) and it would sell.

 

ya know bubba here anyways when i go to craigslist to window shop and i type in wagon,, kia rondo,s and some of the other like minded cars are listed in the category of wagons,,,and as far as the jeep wagoneers the older ones especially those to me anyways were a wagon,,,i used to do a lot of side work for a friend (car broker) and i had a late 70,s wagoneer for the weekend and its a good thing i didnt keep it any longer or else i would have bought it,,,cuz it was plush,,,full power,, leather seats,, woodgrain ,,alloy wheels and a terrible thirst for fuel but nice regardless

 

SUV: sport utility vehicle
sport: indicates a sportesman, outdoorsman, camper,(etc.,etc.,etc.)
utility: versitle, rugged, capible of carrying or hauling loads for the above activities.
vehicle: (well duh)

my 3/4 ton suburban is a stationwagon on steroids.
my 2 cents.