Press Release

Chevrolet Looks Back on 1946 Suburban Carryall Car-Truck Hybrid

10/01/96

1946 Chevrolet Suburban Carryall/ Fastidiously Preserved
Forefather of the Industry's Most Capable Car-Truck Hybrid

DALLAS, Sept. 27 -- It's a proven fact that Chevy owners
love their trucks, but devotion sometimes goes over the top. That's
the situation with the latest Chevrolet added to the brand's fleet of
historically significant vehicles, a 1946 Suburban Carryall which
looks as new as the day it rolled off the assembly line fifty years
ago.

This forefather to today's Suburban was purchased new by a Michigan
owner. In 1978 Elmer Langdon -- also of Michigan -- became the third
owner, and with the help of his son-in-law Tony Vohs painstakingly
disassembled the vehicle to the bare frame with the intention of
returning the original showroom sparkle to their pride and joy.

Since this Suburban had accumulated less than 50,000 miles during its
life on the road, it was in excellent mechanical shape. Vohs notes
that the original shock absorbers were still functioning properly so
there was no need to restore or replace them. The engine was
completely disassembled and refurbished to smooth running
order. Michigan's brutal winters had taken their toll on the bodywork
in a few areas so quarter panels were replaced before the brilliant
red and black lacquer paint job was applied.

Langdon and Vohs sent out bumpers for replating, and replaced the
grille assembly with new-old-stock (NOS) parts they tracked down. The
most difficult replacement parts to find were the molded-rubber
weatherstrips. According to Vohs, improvisation was necessary only in
a few out-of-sight areas. Avoiding the temptation to over-restore this
Suburban beyond factory specifications, the two-man team left the
patina of age evident in a few areas such as the steering wheel.

After this labor of love had been completed, Langdon and Vohs entered
their prized Suburban in scores of auto shows. It earned countless
best-of- show trophies and the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America's
highest honor, a preservation award.

Unfortunately, Elmer Langdon passed away last July. Consigning this
pristine piece of automotive history to a private collection was the
last thing Tony Vohs had in mind, so he offered his family's Suburban
to Chevrolet. A deal was struck and now auto show goers all across the
country will be able to share in the rich heritage of America's
favorite car-truck hybrid.

Engine

Type......OHV six-cylinder inline
Construction....cast-iron block and cylinder head, four main bearings
Bore x stroke.....3.50 in. x 3.75 in.
Displacement......216.5 cu. in. (3.5-liters)
Horsepower (SAE gross)....90 @ 3300 rpm
Carburetion.....Carter one-barrel downdraft

Transmission

Type.....3-speed, non-synchronized
Shifter....floor-mounted
Tires
Size......6.00 x 16, six-ply
Seating
Front.....two passengers plus jump seat
Middle...two passengers
Rear......three passengers

Dimensions

Wheelbase.....115.0 in.
Overall length....198.0 in.
Curb weight.....3370 lbs.

Optional equipment: chrome wheel trim rings, white sidewall tires,
radio, heater, clock, cigar lighter, seat covers, windshield sun
shade, spotlight, cowl lamps, two-tone paint, directional signals,
dual taillights, outside rear-view mirrors, gate-type rear access.

Base price.......$1283

Production began in May of 1946 and 171,618 Chevrolet trucks were
produced during that calendar year.