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Saw this info in my Google feed and found it interesting. Anyone have any guesses on the longest running car/truck Model still in production? Here's a small hint, it was first introduced in 1935, and has been in production now for 90-years! Here's the link to the story:
I don't even have to look, it's the Suburban.
Besides that the link doesn't work.
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding . . . Mike wins the prize! Thought you might! 👍
Well crap, I don't have any frickin idea why the link doesn't work, used the same process I always do??? Now that you've already let the cat out of the bag I'm not going to try and repost.
There's no bag, and the cat has done run off. Heck, everyone had 32 minutes to guess before me.
Even though the Suburban is built on a truck frame and resembles the C/K truck, the titles on all my Suburbans calls it a station wagon. I tell people it's just a car. A really big one.
It's kind of not true. The correct thing to say would be the oldest model name still in production. That just means you've been in production a long time and don't rebrand very often. The VW Beetle, being built for 65 years, is the longest running actual car model in existence, by which I mean parts from the first one bolt up to the last one, like it's recognizably the same car. That's an actual feat. Ford could have kept calling the truck a Model T and it would've taken this record with the "Model T" truck of today looking like a F-150. Even the Corvette is nowhere near the same car at 72 years old; it's just a name and a philosophy.
There's no bag, and the cat has done run off. Heck, everyone had 32 minutes to guess before me.
Even though the Suburban is built on a truck frame and resembles the C/K truck, the titles on all my Suburbans calls it a station wagon. I tell people it's just a car. A really big one.
Thanks Chris that was fun.
Glad it was fun Mike! My Dad had a '70 model he had for many years. He actually sold it to my Mopar buddy over in Illinois around '84 or '85. I drove my buddy up to Michigan and he drove it back down here. He used it as a work truck around his small farm in IL for at least 10-years, probably more. You couldn't make that thing stop running.
Oh Lord don't bring the Corvette people into this. They will find some way to get their feelings hurt and start crying. You're right it is the model name that's lasted. I think the Burb is in its 12th iteration. Chevy now has a copyright on the name, they didn't used to. Plymouth had the Suburban(an actual wagon) for many years up into the 70s.
There's probably some parts from the original Suburban that would fit on the current one, the lug nuts maybe.
Chris your dad had a Valiant AND a Suburban. He must have been pretty cool. Did he own them at the same time? He would have been voted mayor.
Rental vehicle returned - cleaner than when I picked it up.
During my previous existence (as a used piece of jet trash) I rented every car Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, & National owned. That Altima is all plastic. Maybe the wheels & brakes have metal in them?
Anyways, that's done. Looking for life to return to normal (if that's possible for me). Forward-looking list of things to do: (1) R&R Andersen (warrantied) front entrance storm door panel; (2) re-stain wood gate (Cabot Amber Australian Timber Oil); and, (3) appears I might be re-building my entire front porch deck (flooring). I rebuilt 1/2 of it ~11 yrs. ago - that 1/2 has held up fair. I didn't use decking boards at the time since I knew I'd eventually be replacing/rebuilding the deck (flooring) at some time. "Some time" has arrived. Appears our heat has abated. Next ten days look quite favorable - what a relief it will be. Expecting mild tropical storm effects from Erin - very mild. Likely we'll see more storm surge than anything & even then it won't be significant. There are two additional storms directly behind Erin both of which formed off the Capo Verde Islands. Fingers crossed.
Same here. An altima is a full size car? News to me. Got the computer back, with a new network adapter installed. Time to buy a new one. Spent the first ten minutes with it deleting emails. rain was in the forecast yesterday and last night. About 7pm it went spit, and that was it, or so I thought. Went to bed around 10pm, and it started coming down, in buckets by the sound of it. Checked my rain gauge after I got home from work, 6.0625", so a little rain to say the least.
Last edited by 1969w3155; Aug 19, 2025 at 02:17 PM.
It's kind of not true. The correct thing to say would be the oldest model name still in production. That just means you've been in production a long time and don't rebrand very often. The VW Beetle, being built for 65 years, is the longest running actual car model in existence, by which I mean parts from the first one bolt up to the last one, like it's recognizably the same car. That's an actual feat. Ford could have kept calling the truck a Model T and it would've taken this record with the "Model T" truck of today looking like a F-150. Even the Corvette is nowhere near the same car at 72 years old; it's just a name and a philosophy.
John - I'll have to respectfully disagree with you on this position. The modern Beetle was completely different than the original Beetle. The modern Beetle came out in 1998, the original Beetle was not sold in the U.S. after 1979, so a substantial break in production. The modern Beetle was front engine/front wheel drive/water cooled, whereas the original Beetle was rear engine/rear wheel drive/air cooled. They had completely different chassis's and drive trains, and modern body was just somewhat similar in appearance. The Suburban to this day, remains true to it's roots. A rear wheel drive (or 4WD) truck chassis, with a station wagon style body, capable of carrying several passengers and/or a ton of cargo. Truly the Suburban is the winner in this comparison as it's purpose today is the same as it was at it's inception 90-years ago.
Last edited by Dream67Olds442; Aug 19, 2025 at 02:46 PM.
Norm - If you're going to redo your front porch/decking, you ought to seriously consider going with composite for deck boards and fascia/trim pieces. One of the best decisions I ever made when we had our deck and steps down to the backyard rebuilt. We went with TimberTech composite, and there are various grades, while not cheap, it's also not as expensive as you might think. Of course the real joy is zero maintenance!
Went to bed around 10pm, and it started coming down, in buckets by the sound of it. Checked my rain gauge after I got home from work, 6.0625", so a little rain to say the least.
Dan - Wow, that's a ****-ton of rain in one night! Any reports of substantial localized flooding, or did you notice any evidence on your way to work?
John - I'll have to respectfully disagree with you on this position. The modern Beetle is completely different than the old Beetle. The modern Beetle was discontinued in 2019, the original in 2003, so a substantial break in production. The modern Beetle was front engine/front wheel drive, whereas the original Beetle was rear engine/rear wheel drive. Completely different chassis and drive train, and body was just somewhat similar in appearance. The Suburban to this day, remains true to it's roots. A rear wheel drive (or 4WD) truck chassis, with a station wagon style body, capable of carrying several passengers and/or a ton of cargo. Truly the Suburban is the winner in this comparison as it's purpose today is the same as it was at it's inception 90-years ago.
I am not speaking of the modern Beetle. The Volkswagen Type 1, made in 1938 in Germany, will exchange parts with the 2003 model made in the last factory in Mexico. They made 21.5 million of them. People will even take vin tags, plates, and documents into Mexico and convert 20 year old Mexican vehicles into 50 year old American ones and drive them back across the border as a pre-catalytic car. I also did not say it was in current production. What I said was that this car is really the only one worth talking about because it is the same car over 65 years, whereas the Suburban is just a name and perhaps a concept that continued. I'm a car engineer. I literally have Toyotas rolling by ten feet behind me right now. I see model changes, yearly ones, minor ones, and major ones where it is a completely different car coming down the conveyor 30 spaces after the last one left but they have the same name. To last 65 years as a very unmodified design is an achievement, to have the nameplate last 86 is merely marketing.
I am not speaking of the modern Beetle. The Volkswagen Type 1, made in 1938 in Germany, will exchange parts with the 2003 model made in the last factory in Mexico. They made 21.5 million of them. People will even take vin tags, plates, and documents into Mexico and convert 20 year old Mexican vehicles into 50 year old American ones and drive them back across the border as a pre-catalytic car. I also did not say it was in current production. What I said was that this car is really the only one worth talking about because it is the same car over 65 years, whereas the Suburban is just a name and perhaps a concept that continued. I'm a car engineer. I literally have Toyotas rolling by ten feet behind me right now. I see model changes, yearly ones, minor ones, and major ones where it is a completely different car coming down the conveyor 30 spaces after the last one left but they have the same name. To last 65 years as a very unmodified design is an achievement, to have the nameplate last 86 is merely marketing.
I can agree with, and get on board with that explanation. 👍
I owned a 1968 VW Beetle (1972). Rolled it over twice on its side & once over front to back down the side of a clover field w/ my girlfriend in the passenger seat. Top crushed in, no windows remained, could not open doors had to climb out & in through the window openings. I think I've told this story before. Started up the next day - stuck in 3rd gear.
"Road buzz" remains - feels like I'm still in the car. I used to fish a lot off shore in the Gulf - often for 2-3 days. It takes about two days before my equilibrium returns - standing in the shower is the worst. Feels like I'm still swaying w/ the boat. Really odd feeling.
I saw a Chevrolet Blazer in a parking lot last week. What was once a decent utility truck is now a tiny SUV. I used to drive a couple (1969/1970) plowing snow in parking lots.
I owned a 1968 VW Beetle (1972). Rolled it over twice on its side & once over front to back down the side of a clover field w/ my girlfriend in the passenger seat. Top crushed in, no windows remained, could not open doors had to climb out & in through the window openings. I think I've told this story before. Started up the next day - stuck in 3rd gear.
I already told the story of how my Dad bought a new Beetle in '74 to use as a commuter car when he started teaching, and how we as a family used the same Beetle to take a family vacation to the Smokies pulling a Coleman Pop-up Camper.
I drove it alot thru Highschool since it was good on gas. Like you Norm, I flipped it on it's side and the guy I was with and I had to climb out the top (driver's door) like we were in a Tank. Another time I buried the front end in a farm field drainage ditch that had about 4ft of water in it, luckily I had 3 other guys in there with me and we were able to get it out with just the 4 of us. Norm, I'd bet you and I could swap Beetle stories all day!
Last edited by Dream67Olds442; Aug 19, 2025 at 04:44 PM.
...we as a family used the same Beetle to take a family vacation to the Smokies pulling a Coleman Pop-up Camper.
I pulled a tiny Coleman pop-up w/ that bug, as well. I was a volunteer timer &/or corner worker for SCCA races/events (on the weekends) for a couple summers. I had a blast w/ that little pop-up camper. Really sturdy bed even had a tall fully zippered additional canvas room you could attach to it. Great little pop-up.
Norm - If you're going to redo your front porch/decking, you ought to seriously consider going with composite for deck boards and fascia/trim pieces. One of the best decisions I ever made when we had our deck and steps down to the backyard rebuilt. We went with TimberTech composite, and there are various grades, while not cheap, it's also not as expensive as you might think. Of course the real joy is zero maintenance!
Chris - There is no plastic building material of any type on either the interior or exterior of my house. I'm sort of a purist & more inclined to remain "period correct" (1930) regarding building supplies. One of my brother's is a GC the other brother sold building materials for ~40 yrs. I've looked into the various varieties of composites - one brother rebuilt his front & back decks w/ composites - gorgeous & basically maintenance free.
The flooring, roofing & framing of this house is constructed from "rough cut" timber/lumber. It likely doesn't mean a hill of beans to the average Joe; yet, those w/ a critical eye to building materials are/will be quick to note those timely characteristics. I appreciate the suggestion & it's a good suggestion.
I pulled a tiny Coleman pop-up w/ that bug, as well. I was a volunteer timer &/or corner worker for SCCA races/events (on the weekends) for a couple summers. I had a blast w/ that little pop-up camper. Really sturdy bed even had a tall fully zippered additional canvas room you could attach to it. Great little pop-up.
And I thought my Dad was the only one crazy enough to pull a camper with a Beetle! Our Coleman had pull outs on each end for 2 double beds, canvas top. No other amenities. Parents did all the cooking outdoors on a 2 burner Coleman stove.
Chris - There is no plastic building material of any type on either the interior or exterior of my house. I'm sort of a purist & more inclined to remain "period correct" (1930) regarding building supplies.
Norm - You have a beautiful home, and I respect and can appreciate your purist approach to keeping it "period correct"! 👍
And I thought my Dad was the only one crazy enough to pull a camper with a Beetle! Our Coleman had pull outs on each end for 2 double beds, canvas top. No other amenities. Parents did all the cooking outdoors on a 2 burner Coleman stove.
Mine had a hard-shell (metal/plastic?) top which you hand-cranked to raise/lower. One double-bed located directly under the raised top. It had a side opening small door & sliding drawer to mount a Coleman gas fired cooking grill. Drawer & grill slid inside or outside.
Just at an underpass on U.S. 31, where the roadway dipped down, a bit of a lake was the result. They had a cop car there with his overheads on, to slow people down. Very localized, as the official amount out at the airport was around 2.75"
Just at an underpass on U.S. 31, where the roadway dipped down, a bit of a lake was the result. They had a cop car there with his overheads on, to slow people down. Very localized, as the official amount out at the airport was around 2.75"
Hurricane Erin is departing towards the NNE, minor coastal erosion, flooding from storm surge expected along coastal North Carolina. The Outer Banks a little more flooding from storm surge; yet, minor. The Outer Banks are ~20 miles (via ferry/boat) offshore from me. Cape Lookout is ~2 miles from me & the closest Outer Banks island - no worries. Disturbance 1, directly behind hurricane Erin is expected to follow the path of Erin - no worries. Path of Disturbance 2 is yet to be determined; TS development of Disturbance 2 is minor over the next week & is expected to be a short-lived depression - no worries.
Lazy day. The lead isn't here and no one is in a hurry. Fine by me. I can't seem to wake up. Maybe some pop and a bag of cookies would help.
If I were a betting man I'd say few if any parts from an original Beetle would actually fit on a late production Beetle. For one thing after 1972 there were two bodies, the standard and the Super. But they do look the same, all through production. Now there's your marketing. It would be interesting to look at the exchange manual to see what actually fits where. Or JC Whitney.
We got rain, and lots of it, yesterday just as we were getting out of work. No getting the car into the backyard. So the rims remain in the trunk. Need to run a couple errands after work, but the yard is gonna be too wet anyway to get back there.
I just got back from the eye doctor a little while ago and the doc did an incredibly thorough exam. As with most people my age the vitreous fluid/gel within the eyeball is shrinking, and pulling away from the retinal wall. The floater is being caused by a small section of the vitreol sack that is still hanging on to the retinal wall. The doc said it should finally detach at some point (no timetable) and at that point the floater will must likely go away. The only real danger is if the part of the vitreol fluid sack that is still hanging on, does not detach as the fluid continues to shrink, then there is a remote chance it could cause a retinal tear, but the doc said this is extremely unlikely in my case based on how far along I already am in regard to the vitreous fluid shrinkage process already. He really doesn't think there is anything to worry about, and the floater should go away, or significantly diminish with time. I am going back to their office in Festus in 6-weeks for a recheck. So to me this all sounds very optimistic, and I'm very relieved at this point!
Pop-up showers from Erin began arriving ~1 hr. ago. The frontal boundary steering Erin Eastward is directly overhead at the moment. Keep on steering, baby!
Pop-up showers from Erin began arriving ~1 hr. ago. The frontal boundary steering Erin Eastward is directly overhead at the moment. Keep on steering, baby!
Sure glad you're not supposed to get much out of it Norm!
Chris - You were smart to seek an early evaluation.
Thanks Norm, that's exactly what the eye doctor said. Now they're gonna keep an eye on it to make sure a retinal tear is not developing. The re-check visit in 6-weeks is at their office in Festus very close to me, and actually in one of the Medical Bldgs. at the hospital where my youngest daughter works. I think I'll drop in and see her with some baked goodies for her and her co-workers when I go for my appointment.
Will you see Mr. Dillon there as well? Good to see that it is nothing serious. I have had floaters for about ten years now, every once in awhile I'll do a double take because I thought a gnat just flew by or something...false alarm. Eye doc wasn't that concerned about it, though he did say that it could get worse over the years.
Our Coleman had pull outs on each end for 2 double beds, canvas top. No other amenities. Parents did all the cooking outdoors on a 2 burner Coleman stove.
Good to see that it is nothing serious. I have had floaters for about ten years now, every once in awhile I'll do a double take because I thought a gnat just flew by or something...false alarm. Eye doc wasn't that concerned about it, though he did say that it could get worse over the years.
