Searching for My Dad's 1979 Chevy Suburban

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TheHoundsman

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2024
Posts
21
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53
Location
West Deptford NJ
First Name
Brian
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
Chevy Suburban
Engine Size
350 V8
Good morning all,


I'm reaching out to the classic car community for help locating my dad's old 1979 Chevy Suburban. This vehicle holds a lot of sentimental value, as it was a beloved family car that we had many great memories in growing up.

The details are:

- 1979 Chevy Suburban

- VIN #: CKL169F187287

- Color: Tan and Beige

- 1/2 ton 4WD model

- 350 V8 engine

- Ordered directly from Chevy and built at the Fremont plant

My dad purchased this Suburban brand new back in 1979. We had it for many years before eventually selling it in April 1990. I'm not sure who the buyer was. But I do know that it was titled 6 time in New Jersey after my Dad sold it and the last time it titled in NJ was 2003. I was worried that this most likely ment it was scrapped (it still might have been) but I did confirm with NJ MVC that there has never been a salivate title issued in NJ it.

I've been trying to track down this vehicle's current owner and location but haven't had any luck. I'm hoping someone in the classic car community might have some information or a suggestion on how I might be able to go about locating the vehicle/owner.

I would be highly grateful if you had any ideas that might be helpful with this search. Even the tiniest information could help point me in the right direction. Please reach out if you can assist in any way.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I appreciate any help the community can provide locating my dad's old Suburban.

Thank you all in advance,

Brian
 

Strick

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Location
Dunn, NC
First Name
Harold
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C20 Crew
Engine Size
350
Welcome in and I wish you the best on your search. If you look in my bio you'll see that I have my dad's 79 Crew that he ordered new and it is similar to what you're looking for. I'm certainly fortunate to have dad's old pickup. Maybe some folks in the NE can help you with this task.

Strickland
 

TheHoundsman

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Dec 12, 2024
Posts
21
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Location
West Deptford NJ
First Name
Brian
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
Chevy Suburban
Engine Size
350 V8
Thanks for reaching out. I saw the picture in your bio that is the exact color theme for my Dads. I’m still hopeful at this point, we will see how it goes. I know my brother has some pictures of us fishing on the beach with it so I am going to get them and add them to give people a visual.
 

Keith Seymore

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1987
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R10
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4.3L
- Ordered directly from Chevy and built at the Fremont plant
Almost -

All square Blazers and Suburbans were built in Flint Michigan.

The "F" in the VIN denotes Flint Assembly.

Fremont is noted by a "Z" in the VIN.

I started at Flint in June of 1979. I might have seen your dad's Suburban go by.

;)

K
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Last edited:

Keith Seymore

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This doesn't help find it - but since you are sentimental:

You could contact the GM Heritage Center archive and order up the original invoice for your dad's truck.

It would show build timing, selling dealership info, pricing and any applicable discounts, and all the original RPO content.

Your dad's name might even appear on the document since he special ordered it.

It was $50 last I knew.

K
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TheHoundsman

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2024
Posts
21
Reaction score
53
Location
West Deptford NJ
First Name
Brian
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
Chevy Suburban
Engine Size
350 V8
This doesn't help find it - but since you are sentimental:

You could contact the GM Heritage Center archive and order up the original invoice for your dad's truck.

It would show build timing, selling dealership info, pricing and any applicable discounts, and all the original RPO content.

Your dad's name might even appear on the document since he special ordered it.

It was $50 last I knew.

K
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You must be registered for see images attach
This is awesome. I will definitely do that. Thanks for sending it over.
 

TX87R10

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Texas
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Txr10
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R10
Engine Size
305
Good morning all,


I'm reaching out to the classic car community for help locating my dad's old 1979 Chevy Suburban. This vehicle holds a lot of sentimental value, as it was a beloved family car that we had many great memories in growing up.

The details are:

- 1979 Chevy Suburban

- VIN #: CKL169F187287

- Color: Tan and Beige

- 1/2 ton 4WD model

- 350 V8 engine

- Ordered directly from Chevy and built at the Fremont plant

My dad purchased this Suburban brand new back in 1979. We had it for many years before eventually selling it in April 1990. I'm not sure who the buyer was. But I do know that it was titled 6 time in New Jersey after my Dad sold it and the last time it titled in NJ was 2003. I was worried that this most likely ment it was scrapped (it still might have been) but I did confirm with NJ MVC that there has never been a salivate title issued in NJ it.

I've been trying to track down this vehicle's current owner and location but haven't had any luck. I'm hoping someone in the classic car community might have some information or a suggestion on how I might be able to go about locating the vehicle/owner.

I would be highly grateful if you had any ideas that might be helpful with this search. Even the tiniest information could help point me in the right direction. Please reach out if you can assist in any way.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I appreciate any help the community can provide locating my dad's old Suburban.

Thank you all in advance,

Brian
Best bet might be trying to track down who titled it last and go from there.
 

TheHoundsman

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2024
Posts
21
Reaction score
53
Location
West Deptford NJ
First Name
Brian
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
Chevy Suburban
Engine Size
350 V8
Almost -

All square Blazers and Suburbans were built in Flint Michigan.

The "F" in the VIN denotes Flint Assembly.

Fremont is noted by a "Z" in the VIN.

I started at Flint in June of 1979. I might have seen your dad's Suburban go by.

;)

K
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You must be registered for see images attach
Thanks for that information I clearly read that wrong. You very well may have we were waiting on it so that as a family (Dad, Mom, Brother, Aunt, Uncle and two cousins) could all drive in it to Disney in June 1980.
 

ali_c20

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Location
Austria
First Name
Alexander
Truck Year
1974, 1979
Truck Model
C20, K5
Engine Size
350, 350
Welcome from Austria. Good luck for your search and keep us up to date.
 

ali_c20

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Location
Austria
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Alexander
Truck Year
1974, 1979
Truck Model
C20, K5
Engine Size
350, 350
Almost -

All square Blazers and Suburbans were built in Flint Michigan.

The "F" in the VIN denotes Flint Assembly.

Fremont is noted by a "Z" in the VIN.

I started at Flint in June of 1979. I might have seen your dad's Suburban go by.

;)

K
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
Perhaps my K5 too.
 

TheHoundsman

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2024
Posts
21
Reaction score
53
Location
West Deptford NJ
First Name
Brian
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
Chevy Suburban
Engine Size
350 V8
Welcome from Austria. Good luck for your search and keep us up to date.
Thanks I am not sure what level of success I’ll have but if noting else it has been fun remembering all the time we spent in that truck and all the memories I had with my Dad.
 

TheHoundsman

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2024
Posts
21
Reaction score
53
Location
West Deptford NJ
First Name
Brian
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
Chevy Suburban
Engine Size
350 V8
Best bet might be trying to track down who titled it last and go from there.
The NJ MVC has the name of the person the last time it was titled in NJ (2003) as the very helpful (not being sarcastic) person on the phone told me. She just also explained that she is prohibited to give that information out.
 

squaredeal91

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Cave junction Oregon
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Greg bush
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1991 SB
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K30
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5.9 Cummins 12 valve
The NJ MVC has the name of the person the last time it was titled in NJ (2003) as the very helpful (not being sarcastic) person on the phone told me. She just also explained that she is prohibited to give that information out.
dmv cant give out registered owners info unless it was a business that owned the vehicle. I've never done a car fax and always thought my vehicle is too old for that but maybe that would give something?? Or have you tried?
 

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