For this month’s feature truck we combine the talents of Linda and Doyle Groat, both loving older GM vehicles, and the discovery that they owned a very rare 1972 Chevrolet Suburban Highlander. This mix has resulted in their great memories among the special older vehicles owned, their restoration experiences, attending many car/truck shows, and now owning and learning about this special Suburban Highlander.
These are Linda’s own words of how she accidentally discovered she owned a Highlander as well as the details getting it from Illinois to its new home in Chouteau, Oklahoma.
“I have always liked Carryall/Suburban’s, Panel Trucks and Sedan Deliveries. In 1999 I bought a 1972 Chevy Suburban, green and white, that apparently had sat under a "lean to". One side, front to rear, was in pretty good shape but the opposite side was pretty sad. We decided it was more of a project than we wanted to tackle and I began the hunt for another one. In late summer of 2000, I saw an ad for a Black '72, called about it and I flew to North Peoria, Illinois, inspected the truck, made a deal, purchased it, and drove it home to just east of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
It had this plaid upholstery inserts, which I liked, and the original, once popular, clear plastic seat covers were intact. I had been on the road about 30 minutes when the compressor made a racket and the belt flew off. I turned around and drove back to where I bought the truck and told them what had happened and that I felt the compressor was about to lock up. They put a new belt on and told me when I got home to have the A/C fixed and send them the bill. I was skeptical that would happen, but upon return I had the repairs done and to my surprise they paid the bill. Good people. On the trip home, the compressor was still making racket so I chose not to use it. After peeling myself off of the clear plastic seat covers,*(See Below)I stopped at the K-Mart, bought a "Kool Cushion” and cold drink and headed home. I debated long and hard, but those clear plastic seat covers had to go. The only good thing about them was the protection they gave the original upholstery.
At one of the first car shows I took it to, I learned why it had the plaid upholstery inserts and a Iittle about the "Highlander Package" from a guy looking around the show. Made me like the truck even more.
The first long distance trip I took with the truck was from Tulsa to Ft. Worth, TX Goodguys Show then on to Cruisin’ the Coast in Mississippi with a group of our car friends. I drove my 1972 Suburban towing a 1960 Pontiac Ventura on an open trailer. My husband, Doyle, drove our 1999 Suburban towing an enclosed trailer with our 1959 Chevy Impala in it. The enclosed trailer was heavier than the flat trailer but both of the cars being towed were big and heavy. The ’72 had no problems at all and came within one gallon of using the same amount of gas as the ’99 used at each fill up. Sadly the poor old ’99 Suburban lost an alternator on the trip.
I would not be afraid to drive this Suburban anywhere. It has never failed me.
We believe that we are the third owners and that it had always been in the North Peoria vicinity.
The truck is a factory solid Black with one repaint 10 ½ years ago.
Original 350 CID V-8 Engine and original 350 Turbo Transmission. Both were freshened when the truck was repainted 10 ½ years ago. Truck had about 92,000 original miles on it when repainted and 5,700 miles since repaint.
- Front Disc Brakes
- “Group C” Special Promotional “Highlander Package which accounts for the Scottish gray, black and white/parchment plaid inserts in the parchment vinyl seat covers. Carpet is black. Interior is all original except the headliner which was replaced 10 ½ years ago.
- Dual, front and rear, factory air conditioning in good working condition.
- Power Steering and “comfort tilt” Steering Wheel
- AM/FM Push Button Radio
- Padded Dash
- Below-eye-line side Mirrors
- Special Deluxe Wheel Covers
- Custom Deluxe Equipment and Upper Trim Moldings
- Tinted Glass
- Wall to Wall Black Loop Carpeting
- Believed to be original Spare Tire
- Original wood deck Floor in rear Cargo Area
We believe Linda’s truck was ordered with one rear seat and it was moved forward to be in the middle.
*For the Younger Generation:
Clear plastic seat covers were a popular aftermarket accessory for about 20 years! They were “hog ringed” under the seat cushions and gave a smooth tight fit over your cloth upholstery. Good protection from grease, drink spills, dirt accumulation, etc. while the seat material was very visible. Problems were: Hot in the summer and cold in the winter. A seat belt was even more advisable because you could slide on the plastic covers on quick stops or fast turns.
Trim
The 1/2 ton Suburban top of the line in 1972 was labeled “Custom Deluxe/10” on each front fender.
The pickup shared this designation that year but went one step higher on trim on their best. Added wood grain lower exterior trim and the same type vertical trim on each door.Referred to as the “Super Cheyenne”. Their cloth seat inserts were exchanged with the Highlander plaid on the best Suburban.
This full length upper trim is only on the top of the line Suburban. Probably will never be reproduced.
Top of the Line for a Suburban Photo of Corner & Long Trim
Factory Air Conditioning Option
This was the first year for Suburban rear air. Of course, it also has the normal dash front air with several outlets. These vehicles were people haulers. The time had come that America would rarely buy a new vehicle without air conditioning.
Three Door Suburban Body
All 1967-72 Chevy/GMC Suburban bodies came with three doors. This may seem unusual in today’s world, however, from the first Suburban in 1935 through 1966 they had two doors. The Suburban third door on 1967-72 was on the right side. This was to prevent a passenger being hit exiting a left door by too close coming traffic.
Some might say “Follow the Money”. The International Travelall (Suburban’s competition) had their first 4-door in 1961. GM must have waited for the new 1973 body design to catch up with 4-doors. Their 3 door was already being tooled!
Suburban Rear Seat
During 1967-1972 the second or third seat were an option. Without either, the vehicle retail price could be lowered. Plus, many buyers would just remove the back seat after the purchase as they needed more hauling area for merchandise. Surprise! The floor area behind the middle seat to the doors or tailgate was plywood! Even in 1972, wood was still used in places rather than metal! Linda’s Suburban came with two full seats, not a ¾ size middle seat which allowed access to the rear. The photo shows the rear mat laid back to show the plywood.
Linda’s Suburban came with the widest seat in the middle as no walk-thru was needed. The Groats did remove the armrest by the door on the middle seat for easier entry and exit.
Wheel Covers
This Suburban carries four very nice all original wheel covers along with the partial white walls that were becoming very popular at the time.
Highlander Attraction
This Scottish Plaid acrylic insert material says it all when you open the door to see this on display. Replaces the cloth inserts on the middle series pickup.
Right Arm Rest Removed for Accessibility.
This is the Rumor
We have heard it said: General Motors saved the Highlander seat inserts until the last year of the 1967-72 series. It was hoped to create more buyers that might otherwise be waiting for the new coming body style in 1973. “Follow the Money”.
350 V-8 Under Hood Photos down to a Delco battery!
Outside and Instrument photos of one of the better Suburban Highlands remaining.
NOTE: These 3 non-metal plugs are in the left rear door post. There are 4 pair in a Suburban beside lift and lower tailgate. These are in place if the assembly line shows the Suburban is to have double barn doors. The 12 holes will be ready for either double door hinges or plugs.
AND the Finale of this article:
A photo of the VIN decal placed inside the glove box door at the end of the Assembly line. The description #11 on left column (Special Promotional) identifies a Highlander option.
You can contact Linda Groat at: bbopn56@aol.com
BONUS: Though not a part of Linda's Highlander, she later sent these pages from a 1972 Chevy Highlander Brochure. A big THANK YOU to Linda Groat!
