Travis Noack
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October 28, 2026
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Features
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MARCO PATINO
When constructing their pride and joy most custom truck owners zero in on a build style and run with it. Although, once in a while you find an enthusiast who was able to successfully merge a few different styles into one well-balanced custom.
Dave Snyder of Norco, California, has been drawn to the early ’50s Chevrolet Suburbans ever since he saw one pass him on the street years ago. That first sighting sparked a search for a suitable donor Suburban, and Dave’s efforts lead him to Warner Springs, California, where this old ’51 Bow Tie people mover sat in a field waiting for someone like Dave to bring it back to its glory days. After it was trailered home, years of rust and dirt fell to the garage floor as Dave and friends Wayne, Jim and Shawn tore the Suburban down to a bare frame. The foundation of any head-turning custom vehicle starts with the stance, so Dave and the build team knew Submerged had to sit tough with modernized suspension, steering and brakes to meld looks with reliability. The stock frame was boxed and fit with a Currie 9-inch filled with 3.73:1 gears and suspended with a 4-link and airbags. Capping off the rearend are a set of disc brakes and TCI shocks. Up front TCI power rack-and-pinion steering, airbags, TCI spindles, control arms, front brakes and front shocks handle the stance, steering and control. Wheelsmith 15-inch steelies powder coated beige and wrapped in Candy Store wide whites make up the rolling stock.
For power Dave chose to go the crate motor route with a few alterations by Jim at Orange Engine. A 2010 Chevrolet ZZ4 roller was stabbed between the ’rails and fit with a reprofiled ZZ4 camshaft. Aluminum Fast Burn cylinder heads do the inhaling, while an Edelbrock intake manifold and carburetor funnel the air and fuel mix into the cylinders. Custom-coated shorty headers send spent fumes packing through flow-through mufflers. Edelbrock polished and finned valve covers and air cleaner blended with a polished accessory drive system dress the 425-hp mill. The pavement-stomping small-block hits the high notes courtesy of a 700R4 transmission prepped by Lake Forest Transmission and fit with a TCI 2,000 stall speed converter and a Lake Forest Transmission shift kit all commanded by a Lokar joystick. Tony Cerara at Barry White Street Rod Repair Company built a custom driveshaft linking the burly 700 R4 and the stout Currie 9-inch.
After the stance and the drive-train were handled, attention shifted to the body and paint. The body was left fairly stock save for the ’39 Chevy taillights, ’52 Chevy door handles and the relocation of the gas filler. After straightening and block sanding the vintage metal to perfection, Tony Cerara and Celso laid down the PPG 1936 Ford Cordova Tan. The fresh paint was complemented by green-tinted stock glass, wood-grained dash and window trim rings and fresh chrome trimmings. A Painless wiring system connects all of the electrical dots.
Shawn Patterson covered the seats, door panels and headliner in leather and tacked Mercedes square-weave carpet to the floor-boards. A 1956 Chevy pickup steering wheel tops the column, while reproduction gauges report on the ZZ4’s behavior. Stock dash knobs, door handles and window cranks preserve the OEM heritage, while a Vintage Air A/C system, Alpine audio gear and a Ridetech computerized control panel bring Dave and passengers into modern times.
Dave Snyder has crafted one slick Suburban with the help of many talented individuals. Submerged successfully blends modern reliability with classic style that results in the ultimate head-turning, show-stopping cruiser. ST
OWNER
Dave Snyder
1951 Chevrolet Suburban
Norco, CA
ENGINE
SUSPENSION
WHEELS & TIRES
BODY & PAINT
INTERIOR
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