In God We Trust
est.1997
Updated May 06, 2017
GM Special Edition and Concept
Chevrolet Suburbans
2015
Chevrolet Suburban
Half-Pipe
Concept
2010 Chevrolet Suburban
75th
Anniversary Diamond
Edition
2007
Chevrolet Suburban
Major
League
Baseball Edition
1960 Chevrolet Suburban Carryall School Bus
Posi-traction rear axle introduced.
1960 Chevrolet
Suburban
In 1960
Chevrolet institutes the C/K designations to denote
models with 2WD (C) and 4WD (K).
Front-end styling is also new. New technology:
Independent front suspension (torsion bars) is
introduced.
1961 Chevrolet Suburban Carryall
1962 Chevrolet Suburban Carryall
1963 Chevrolet Suburban Carryall
Stronger, ladder-type frame design debuts for 1963
1964 Chevrolet Suburban Carryall
1965 Chevrolet
Suburban
Factory-installed
air conditioning and rear-area heater offered for the
first time in 1965
1966 Chevrolet Suburban
1966 Chevrolet Suburban. By the mid-Sixties, America's suburban culture was firmly in place and the national population was approaching 200 million. Cultural changes were happening in all areas, from a growing counter-culture among young Baby Boomers to technologies such as artificial turf for sports fields. AstroTurf was installed for the first time in 1966, at the Houston Astrodome, ushering in an era of sports domes built not in urban centers, but the suburbs. It was also the year "Star Trek" debuted on television.
Already in production for more than 30 years, the 1966 Chevrolet Suburban was in its final year of a design generation that brought greater passenger comfort, amenities and safety features – although a deluxe heater was still a $53 option. The Suburban was offered in a half-ton chassis, with 2WD or 4WD, but it was still used primarily as a crew hauler and fewer than 1,000 of the approximately 13,000 examples sold that year were ordered with 4WD.
Power for the '66 Suburban came in either inline-6 or V-8 forms, with the standard 230-cubic-inch six-cylinder a more modern descendent of the "Stove Bolt" six that was offered in the Suburban when it was introduced. It was renowned for its durability and over the years had cultivated a loyal following among truck customers. Also available were two versions of classic small-block V-8: a 283-cubic-inch engine rated at 175 horsepower and a 327-inch engine rated at 220 horsepower.
An increasing call for greater safety in passenger vehicles saw the inclusion of safety belts, back-up lights and dual-speed windshield wipers as standard equipment in the Suburban for the first time. New safety equipment would be included on the next-generation model.
After more than 30 years on the market, the 1966 Suburban remained a utilitarian transporter with room for many passengers, their cargo and excellent towing capability. It was a combination that more and more "civilian" customers were finding enticing to support leisure activities such as boating, camping and auto racing.1966 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN FACTS
Body style.............................................................................Two-door with tailgate or "barn doors"
Wheelbase............................................................................115 inches
Engine...................................................................................283-cubic-inch (4.6L) V-8
Horsepower..........................................................................175 at 4,400 rpm
Torque..................................................................................275 lb.-ft. at 2,400 rpm
Transmission..........................................................................Three-speed manual
Curb weight (approx.)............................................................3,710 pounds (2WD)THE BOTTOM LINE: 1966 INCOME AND PRICES (with 2010 inflation conversions)
Chevrolet Suburban (base MSRP)..........................................$2,598 ($17,642)
Median household income.......................................................$7,400 ($50,252)
Median house price.................................................................$21,400($145,324)
Cost of a gallon of regular gasoline...........................................$0.23 ($1.56)
Cost of a loaf of bread.............................................................$0.25 ($1.70)
Cost of a movie ticket..............................................................$1.20($8.15)
Average Major League Baseball salary....................................$17,664 ($119,953)
