QOTD: Care to Rank 11 Generations of the Chevrolet Suburban? (Part I)

We’ve done a couple of ranking challenges before, starting first with the Accord, then the Corvette, and following up a few months later with the Mustang. Today we rank a nameplate which has been in production longer than any of those — in fact, it’s the longest-running in America.

It’s the Suburban.

Today is Part I of II in the Chevrolet Suburban ranking challenge, as pitching 11 generations together is a bit much for a single week. The first part of the challenge will cover generations one through six. There’s a marked difference in generations seven to eleven, which we’ll see next week. On with the challenge…

1935-1940

Suburban started out in 1935, bearing the full name of Carryall Suburban. The intent was a functional vehicle which could carry a family of eight and all their required luggage and other junk. Available only in two-door wagon format, Chevrolet did let buyers choose between rear swinging doors or a hatch. Four-wheel drive was not available.

1941-1946

Suburban’s second generation was interrupted by the occurrence of World War II. As such, GM only produced vehicles for model years 1941, 1942, and 1946, as all production in the interim years was devoted to military transport variants. Still two-door only, for the first time Chevrolet and GMC versions used different engines. The more basic Chevrolet had a 3.5-liter inline-six; the GMC had a 3.7-liter.

1947-1954

The third generation Suburban consolidated production for the first time, with all examples between 1947 and 1954 built at GM’s Van Nuys, California plant. The doors numbered two, but things started to take on a more boxy, SUV shape in this era. Seats in the front were now a split bench style, and slid forward to allow access to rear seats. For the first time, an automatic transmission was made available.

1955-1959

Fourth-generation Suburbans got a late start for the 1955 model year, not appearing until March. Instrumentation in this generation was shared with passenger car models as General Motors gathered a family customer base in suburbia. Cylinders added up to eight, while the I6 faded from popularity. And now customers could specify four-wheel drive. It was all coming together.

1960-1966

In 1960, the Suburban moved even closer to the shape modern consumers would consider “SUV.” Newly available this year was an independent front suspension. Revisions in 1962 and again in 1964 made its appearance more streamlined and conservative. This generation offered more choice to consumers than ever before, and available engines included I6, V6, and V8 versions.

1967-1972

In its sixth generation for 1967, the Suburban’s transformation into modern SUV was nearly complete. Not quite at five total doors yet, customers settled for three: One door on the driver’s side, and two on the passenger. 1970 was the final year a panel truck was available for purchase, and 1971 heralded disc brakes on the front wheels and an optional tilt steering wheel. Engines now included the familiar 350 and 396 V8s.

Six generations of Suburban, spanning American history from pre-War through early Malaise. In what order do you rank them, best to worst?

[Images: General Motors]