On this original SUV, the...
On this original SUV, the only custom bits are chrome instead of painted bumpers, an era-correct aluminum and wood roof rack, and Westinghouse halogen headlights. Due to the Korean War effort, when this truck was produced, Uncle Sam mandated manufacturers paint instead of chrome, due to the shortage of nickel. Hence, the near-monochromatic scheme of the truck.
Harkening back to simpler times, when straight sixes were the norm and war efforts were still in swing, early renditions of what we now call SUVs were being run off assembly lines with nothing but the bare necessities to do a job. Nothing fancy, no chrome, not even radios, and yet still the dealers couldn't keep them in stock. Finding such rare art today is extremely far and few between, and finding one that sees regular driving duty on our freeway battlefields is like hen's teeth. Most were converted to hot rods or at least updated with modern conveniences - not this '53 Suburban Carryall Wagon.
Eric Parsons of Valley Village, California, is the happy owner of the fat fender appearing before you. Eric tells us he stumbled upon the vehicle at a local truck show a couple years ago and had a great talk with the pleasant owner. Eric requested the owner contact him should he ever choose to sell the Suburban. Ultimately, the call came, but Eric's financial situation made no allowance for the purchase of such luxuries. After sweating it out for several months, Eric crossed his fingers and made the call to the owner in hopes of still finding the Carryall available. Luck was on his side, and Eric struck a deal for the SUV, bid the owner adieu, and made the slow drive home on the Los Angeles freeway. He passed no one in the process.
After getting the vehicle home, Eric assessed what it would require to return the hauler to its original self. The truck was in need of an entirely new interior. The paint was neglected, and other obvious issues needed attention. The engine compartment was filthy, painted flat black, and upon additional inspection, the right front shock and shock mount were missing all together. Aside from those problems, every single rubber bushing was almost non-existent. Not exactly bad, but not exactly good either.