Enough truck already?

It’s no secret to Old Cars readers that I’ve lusted for another pickup truck for many years. Each time a truck-themed issue of Old Cars rolls around, I pontificate in “Hop In” on all the advantages of a truck as though I’m trying to sell my wife on buying another one. In the years I’ve been without a pickup truck, I have probably written enough pickup truck-related editorials to fill a shortbox. But maybe I already have enough truck, even if I don’t have a pickup.

Several years ago, when former Old Cars Research Editor Kenny Buttolph passed away, he left me a white 1991 GMC Suburban. The Suburban is not a show stopper; the odometer shows 232,000 miles, and the paint on the roof has worn off from years of tarps rubbing it while Kenny tried to protect it from the Arizona sun when he left it there for the January auctions. It’s a pretty interesting truck, maybe even very interesting, so I’ve kept it around for more than sentimental reasons. With each drive behind the wheel, I like it even more for reasons beyond its historical importances. And yes, there may be several things that make it important. So here’s a little history on the truck.

Back in the summer of 1991, Old Cars needed a new Suburban for hauling its trailer to car shows around the country. Since Kenny did nearly all of the driving to shows, he happily ordered the Suburban to his liking. Kenny didn’t yet appreciate the redesigned 1992 Suburbans that were bowing soon, so he tried to spec out a “Square Body” Suburban. He was told by dealers that it was too late to order a 1991, because production was already ramping up for the redesigned 1992 model. Kenny didn’t like to hear the word “no,” so he contacted Wally Rank, the well-known Milwaukee-area Buick and GMC dealer and car collector. Wally was able to order a three-quarter 1991 GMC Suburban with the 454-cid V-8 late in July of that year, just like Kenny wanted.

Kenny drove that GMC Suburban about a quarter-million miles in 10 years, and always treated it like one of his own vehicles. When he retired from Old Cars in 2002, he was given the truck.

The Old Cars archives contain a documented photo history of the truck, and Kenny also kept all of the ordering documents for it, which I appreciate. For my part, I’ve tried to document how close it was built to the end of 1973-1991 “Square Body” Suburban production (is it the very last Square Body Suburban built?), but haven’t been successful. More so, I’ve really come to appreciate its use as an actual truck, especially this past summer when I was moving boxes upon boxes of car parts and books to a different house.

Before this summer, if you had asked me if a Suburban was a truck, I would have said, “Nah, it’s an SUV.” My wife drives a 2014 Suburban for hauling kids and dogs and milk and eggs. But this three-quarter-ton 1991 Suburban leaves no doubt it’s a truck. It may not have a pickup bed, but I’ve fit 1955 Cadillac quarter panels, rocker panels and a trunk floor in that truck, and all at once. Those aren’t small parts.

Maybe I have enough truck and don’t need a pickup truck anymore. However, a nice “Square Body” shortbox sure would look nice parked next to that 1991 Suburban.