Big, Bold, Blown, and Bitchin’ – Michael Petramalo’s 1967 Suburban
As a shop owner, you know you’re doing something right when a customer returns to have you build another vehicle. Michael Petramalo did just that, bringing this 1967 Suburban to J-Rod & Custom after they built him another custom ride. Michael wanted to take the SUV to the next level and have a big-power custom Sub like no other.
To that end, the J-Rod team started with an all-new chassis from GSI – the company’s first for a Suburban. It incorporated a more contemporary IFS, a four-bar rear suspension with a Watt’s link, and big Baer brakes with six-piston calipers. Things got up and rolling with 22×9- and 24×15-inch Schott wheels shod in Pirelli rubber. All that traction is still put to the test with power from a supercharged LT4 from Lingenfelter breathing through Ultimate Headers and Flowmaster exhaust and backed by an 8L90 transmission.
The J-Rod crew tightened up all the body gaps, tucked the bumpers, built custom engine bay paneling, and did lots and lots of block sanding on the acres of sheet metal before laying down the brilliant PPG Lapis Poly paint. Inside, McFarland Upholstery used Ferrari leather and plaid fabric to cover the custom seats, while J-Rod added Vintage Air, Dakota Digital gauges, and an Ididit column.
Big, bold, blown, and bitchin’, Michael’s 1967 Suburban makes it easy to see why he came back for a second build from J-Rod & Custom.
Photos by Marc Gewertz & John Drummond
