1970 Pontiac LeMans Rag top. 350HP 1968 GTO 400 with 6x heads. Has more power then our 1988 454 Sub that we will also tow with.
This is not mine but mine is nearly identical. Unfortunately mine is buried under the guts of our Airstream in the garage. The new motor for it is sitting in my enclosed cargo trailer.
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1959 22' Caravanner
1988 R20 454 Suburban.
Atlanta, GA
This is my first atempt to post a pic....Thats my 1966Caravel and 72' Chevy 3/4 ton with a rare factory wood bed that extends to 8'6" hence the Longhorn moniker. This was the day I bought the Caravel down in Colorado Springs. Happy day!
Do you hang out on www.67-72chevytrucks.com ? I go by Grim there. I had a 1970 Suburban Carry all that I bought to restore. Sold it because I knew it would be a while before I got ot it. Wish I still had it to pull the Airstream. It was a 292cid truck so it had a 4.10 rear end in it. Somebody along the way dropped a 327 with double humps in it.
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1959 22' Caravanner
1988 R20 454 Suburban.
Atlanta, GA
Thought I'd try to load a pic of my '57 Pontiac with my '58 Silver Streak 17' Chico model - I'll load one of the car and '51 Flying Cloud when it quits raining long enough (roof vents are still out for repair). Hope the picture is small enough to work. The car now has a '70 Trans Am 455 and auto transmission, and the front frame clip for power disc brakes. Wouldn't want to be towing a trailer in the mountains without proper brakes and the '57's in particular were noted for brake fade. It's a lot of fun and my wife and I enjoy it immensely. We typically travel with a group with cars from 1933 to our "new" '57, and mostly older trailers. Barry
Safari57!
Your post touched me in that I, too, towed my 1951 Flying Cloud with my 1955 Chevy Nomad (cousin to your Safari).
This was a great combination & never failed to get attention when on the road.
My 'Mad is powered by just a little 283 Power Pak engine (from a '65 Chevelle) but has plenty of power to haul the Airstream.
I used this combination from 1986 until a few years ago, when I sold the Flying Cloud and got a 1969 Caravel.
I still have the Nomad but haven't used it for towing for the past few years. If I can ever figure out how to scan & post photos to this website, I will add a couple pictures of my '51-'55 rig.
I used to tell people that the Airstream was born in '51, the Chevy in '55, and I was born right between them so I want to see which of us lasts longest. But, I'm afraid it WON'T be Me.
I know what you mean. We bought our Pontiac as a wreck in 1981 and sold a '55 Chev convertible to get it, not that the Chevy was in any better condition. I've always loves Nomads and Safari's and with only 1,292 of the Safari made in '57 when it came up I had to have it. We use it for our pleasure driving every year and really enjoy the smiles, waves and thumbs up it gets. When our car club go travelling in our hot rods and old trailers it's like a car show on wheels. Campgrounds are a treat as many of the other campers come over to look at the cars, the trailers are typically older than most but in as new condition, and it is a tremendous way to meet new friends on every trip. Barry
I would really like to find a 1975-1979 Suburban or van to tow my '77 Minuet.
I always loved the Suburbans from the '70s. Nice and boxy looking!
If anyone knows of a 'burb from that vintage, (any condition), please let me know.
I would love to paint it the same color combination as the Minuet. It might be tacky but I think it owuld look cool!
I would really like to find a 1975-1979 Suburban or van to tow my '77 Minuet.
I always loved the Suburbans from the '70s. Nice and boxy looking!
If anyone knows of a 'burb from that vintage, (any condition), please let me know.
I would love to paint it the same color combination as the Minuet. It might be tacky but I think it owuld look cool!
73-91 Suburbans are concidered the same body style. The only thing that changed was the sheetmetal from the doors foward. I coule bolt my 1988 front clip right onto a 1973.
In 80 they went to square headlights. I have owned a 1970 Sub, 1975 Jimmy, 1979 Blazer and my 1988 Sub. Personaly my favorite years for drivablility would be 87-91. 87 was first year of Fuel injection. the 1/2 tons had over drive but the 3/4 tons did not get OD till 90 when the 4L80 transmission replaced the TH400. The early 80's were down on power and the carbs were getting cluttered with emmisions BS. If going with a Carb vehicle I would stay pre 82 if you have to deal with smogging. If you don't smog then swap a 1980-82 electric choke carb on. the 77-79 can easily be converted to electric choke.
I moderate www.ck5.com
Here is one of the members personal hobby site. Its every GM truck sales brochure he could lay his hands on from 1969 to 1991.Mostly K5 but he has a lot of Subs in there as well and a Sub and K5 are nearly identical other then a couple doors.
I'm not real thrilled with the way the site works BUT if you right click the page you can cut the properties into a second browser ang get a full veiw. http://brochures.slosh.com/
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1959 22' Caravanner
1988 R20 454 Suburban.
Atlanta, GA
Very Nice Safari! Love that year, almost got one a year before we got the Ford Ranch Wagon, just couldn't find a good enough body here in MI. The Ranch wagon came to us by way of Indy (from AZ no rust at all ) and we liked it so much we had to get it. We just love the drive it gives us. Last year my husband completed it's overhaul to haul our 67GT. A lot of back breaking went on putting in the C6 truck trans, ford 9" rear end, trans cooler, air ride bags and trailer hitch. But it was all worth while. We can't tell ya how much enjoyment we have gotten out of this way of life. We are looking forward to the day when we can go on more extensive trips, not just the extended weekends that we can do now or a week once a year. Beth
73-91 Suburbans are concidered the same body style. The only thing that changed was the sheetmetal from the doors foward. I coule bolt my 1988 front clip right onto a 1973.
(snip)
I'm not real thrilled with the way the site works BUT if you right click the page you can cut the properties into a second browser ang get a full veiw.
I figured that the Subs pretty much stayed the same from the early 70's on up to about 90 or 91.
I ahve also been considering an older Dodge Power Wagon. That would be less practical with throwing the kids in the bed of it!
If I can find one, anyone, in decent shape I would snag it. I am good with bodywork, but engine and tranny-wise I suck!
I usually buy new cars since I get the GM employee discount. But lately, that is not enough incentive to buy a new vehicle.
Thanks for all of your legwork. I need to find one now that I am almost done with the Minuet!
Very Nice Safari! Love that year, almost got one a year before we got the Ford Ranch Wagon, just couldn't find a good enough body here in MI. The Ranch wagon came to us by way of Indy (from AZ no rust at all ) and we liked it so much we had to get it. We just love the drive it gives us. Last year my husband completed it's overhaul to haul our 67GT. A lot of back breaking went on putting in the C6 truck trans, ford 9" rear end, trans cooler, air ride bags and trailer hitch. But it was all worth while. We can't tell ya how much enjoyment we have gotten out of this way of life. We are looking forward to the day when we can go on more extensive trips, not just the extended weekends that we can do now or a week once a year. Beth
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