Chevrolet Suburban

A Chevrolet Suburban in a travel site? For decades long Bandoeng Trip were relying on either motor car or railways, both type of transportation were available to go to or from Bandoeng from the turn of century. Only recently the comfortable means of transportation have been provided by Train, plane and modern motor car. But early in 1970s whenever our Grand Ma paid a visit to us in Jakarta she used the “4848” shuttle nicknamed Suburban.

The Suburban cab featured a "wrap around" windshield following the styling of the 1960 - 1961 model year resembling earlier Chevrolet cars and had large oval ports above the grille. Later on from 1962 onwards, the hood styling was 'toned down' a bit, with a slightly more modern looking hood that eliminated the large ports. Subsequently in 1964, the front glass area was updated to a flatter windshield, and larger door glass. All early models featured either tailgate or "barn door" rear openings.

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. Once or twice we did go visiting GrandMa on this large comfortable Suburban which I am sure were powered by I-6 (inline six cylinders) engine, later on the 4848 replaced the whole fleet with another GM vehicle the Holden HQ Kingswood from its Australian arm.

Today we have a bewildering shuttle brand including executive bus shuttle, executive business class train as well as the well known “Cipaganti” shuttle using Korean Hyundai or Kia Pregio or similar small bus. They extensively use toll road and have many stop over facilities along and in particular my favourite Cipularang Rest Area Km 57. Last year this Rest Area won the best award!