1965 GMC Suburban: Spotted for $5,500 in October 2022

We spotted this 1965 GMC Suburban on eBay in October 2022, listed by a dealer for $5,500 after a cut from $6,500. It was a rough project, and we keep the record because asking prices for unrestored early Suburbans are useful when you are pricing one.

What this car was

A two-door Suburban with a weathered blue-gray finish, heavy surface rust and patches of primer across the hood and fenders. The photo shows it parked on grass in a yard with other old trucks, with its GMC grille lettering, twin headlights and bumper still in place.

The dealer was frank about it:

• Dark exterior with a black interior
• V6 engine with a manual transmission
• Overall condition described as poor, with rust throughout
• A 90-day layaway plan offered

The old listing called it a great start for a restoration, and that’s the honest way to see it. Rust on a truck this age can run into the floors, rockers and body mounts, and the photo suggests plenty of metalwork ahead.

Was $5,500 a fair ask?

It was a fair starting point for a complete truck, and the price drop suggests the dealer had found that out too. The GMC badge and the V6 add interest, and early Suburbans have a strong following. Against that, the rust and the “poor condition” description meant the buyer would be paying for a body and a project, not a usable vehicle.

A little Suburban history

The Suburban name dates back to 1935, making it one of the longest-running nameplates in the industry. GM built these trucks under both the Chevrolet and GMC brands. This generation ran from 1960 to 1966, and GMC versions could be ordered with GMC’s own V6, an engine the Chevrolet trucks of the time didn’t share. That V6 is a big part of why collectors look for the GMC versions.

More cars from the archive

• 1963 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88, another 1960s American car
• 1964 Chevrolet C10, another 1960s American car
• 1964 Plymouth Belvedere, another 1960s American car
• 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe, another 1960s American car