Car Of The Day: June 5, 2012

Today's car of the day comes from Firehawk73's collection and is Hot Wheels' 1964 GMC Panel.

The Chevrolet Suburban is a large sport utility vehicle from Chevrolet. It is the longest-lived continuous automobile nameplate still in production, dating from 1934 for the 1935 U.S. model year. The Suburban has been produced under the Chevrolet, Holden, and GMC marques until the GMC version was rebranded as the GMC Yukon XL. For most of its recent history, the Suburban has been a station wagon-bodied version of the Chevrolet pickup truck, including the Chevrolet C/K and Silverado series of truck-based vehicles. Cadillac offers a version called the Escalade ESV. The Suburban has traditionally been one of General Motors' most profitable vehicles.

For more information and pictures of the real car please visit: GMC Panel

The styling of the 1960 - 1961 model year took cues from the late 1950s Chevrolet cars and had large oval ports above the grille. Front independent suspension was new for 1960. The cab featured a "wrap around" windshield. Both tailgate and "barn door" rear openings were available. From 1962 onwards, the hood styling was 'toned down' a bit, with a more modern looking hood that eliminated the large ports. In 1964, the front glass area was updated to a flatter windshield, and larger door glass. 1, 150 lb (68 kg). of cargo could be carried in the back.

This model series introduced a factory-equipped 4WD ("K") option for the first time. The 2WD "C" models introduced a torsion bar-based independent front suspension and trailing arm and coil spring rear. But by 1963, returned to a more conventional coil-spring approach.

Engines included both I-6 and small-block V-8s. A 305-cubic-inch 60 degree V-6 was also available on GMC models. The 305 was actually 'brought down' from GMCs medium duty truck line. It featured huge torque numbers, but was also notable for poor fuel economy. Transmissions were a 3-speed and 4-speed manual, and the automatic Powerglide.

One interesting Chevy Suburban was a 15-passenger conversion done by Stageway of Fort Smith, Ark. These modified Suburbans had three doors on the right, had 171" wheelbase, was 273" long, and weighed 6,300 lbs.

One ton (C-30), 10-foot (3 m) panel truck models were no longer available after 1966.