The world of government vehicles often hides some of the most unique and powerful machines on the road. Among these, the Chevrolet Suburban HD stands out, particularly when modified for special duties. Recently, a small fleet of these armored SUVs, equipped with Lingenfelter superchargershas become available for private purchase.
These vehicles, originally leased to the Secret Service and Capitol Policeoffer a rare glimpse into the high-performance, armored fleet that protects some of the nation’s most important figures. With their 6.0-liter V8 engines and heavy-duty modifications, these Suburban HDs are not your average SUVs.
The Discovery of These Unique Vehicles
The story begins with Ben Kelseywho first spotted a pair of these Suburban HDs on Facebook. Kelsey purchased them directly from an armored car manufacturer, unaware of their unique specifications. “When I bought [the first one], I did not realize it was armored,” Kelsey admitted. “I was actually buying it for myself. I was like, ‘Supercharged? Cool. Good deal. I’ll buy it.’ I showed up and said, ‘Oh, this is not what I expected.'”
Meanwhile, Northeast Auto Imports also listed an identical truck, revealing that there are four of these rare vehicles in total. Derek Griffiththe owner of Northeast Auto Imports, explained how he came across these SUVs. “We actually drove past the facility and started talking [about] acquiring these a little bit more regularly,” he said. “All four of them are the exact same model years and armored setup except that one of the trucks is white, which is, I guess, super rare.”
Specifications and Modifications
These 2019 Chevrolet Suburban HDs are far from ordinary. Each one is equipped with a B6 Scaletta armoring packagefeaturing glass that’s roughly two inches thick. Five of the six vehicles have upgraded heads and a Lingenfelter blowerenhancing their already impressive performance. The armored models come with run-flat tires wrapped around eight-lug wheels that fasten to one-ton axles, a rarity as most Suburban HDs are built on three-quarter-ton Silverado 2500 running gear.
The vehicles’ substantial modifications come with a significant increase in weight. Kelsey described driving one of these SUVs as “like an absolute boat,” noting that the nearly 12,000-pound curb weight makes handling a unique challenge. “It doesn’t want to turn. It doesn’t want to stop. It just wants to go straight. That’s it,” he said. Despite the handling quirks, the vehicles boast impressive fuel efficiency, with Kelsey reporting stops every 600 miles or so for gas.
Market Availability and Pricing
For those interested in owning a piece of government history, these Suburban HDs are now available for purchase. Kelsey’s vehicle, with the lowest mileage at 21,000 milesis priced at $139,000. Northeast Auto Imports has listed one of their vehicles, with 35,000 milesat $105,000. Griffith mentioned that he had just hung up with a potential customer, indicating high interest in these unique SUVs. Kelsey, living in truck-crazed Texas, is confident his vehicle will sell quickly.
These armored Suburban HDs represent a unique opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to own a piece of government vehicle history. With their impressive modifications and rare specifications, they are sure to attract attention from those seeking something truly extraordinary.
