Restoring a Chevrolet Suburban, similar to the one used in the movie "Dante's Peak", which has spent years rotting away.
In an exciting development for movie vehicle enthusiasts, the 1987 Chevy Suburban that starred in the 1997 film Dante's Peak is currently undergoing a meticulous restoration by Greg Ward of Greg's Restorations.
The vehicle, renowned for its bright orange paint, lifted stance, winch bumper, large lights, and oversized tires, was discovered in a barn in Rutland, Massachusetts, by Ward. He has expressed his enthusiasm about giving this iconic movie truck the restoration it deserves after years of neglect and rust[1][2].
As of mid-July 2025, the restoration is actively underway. Ward's team is working diligently to bring the vehicle back from its state of rot to a restored classic movie vehicle[1]. This restoration effort has been documented in recent posts and videos on Greg's Restorations' YouTube channel, Greg's Restorations[3][4].
The Chevy Suburban in Dante's Peak was originally equipped with a 6" lift and 35" tires. Interestingly, it was sourced by Cinema Vehicle Services and may have been set up by an Arizona shop[5]. Remarkably, the vehicle still has most of its movie accessories intact, including the bizarre louvers on the front brush guard[6].
The Chevy Suburban from Dante's Peak was sold on eBay about a decade ago and ended up in the barn on the East Coast. It is worth noting that an '80s-era Chevy truck with a service body also appeared in Dante's Peak[7].
The movie Dante's Peak, directed by Roger Donaldson, was a fictional story about a little mountain town threatened by a volcano. The film drew inspiration from the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption and starred Pierce Brosnan as a USGS volcanologist[8].
Greg Ward plans to get the Chevy Suburban from Dante's Peak running before starting a full restoration. He has also mentioned that his shop has extensive experience with rust-orations, especially in New England[9]. A video shared last year provided insights into the production of the movie vehicle used in Dante's Peak[10].
As the restoration progresses, fans of the movie and the Suburban can look forward to updates from Greg's Restorations. The ultimate goal is to restore this iconic vehicle to its former glory, providing a testament to the enduring appeal of Dante's Peak and its memorable cast of characters.
References: [1] https://www.gregsrestorations.com/dantes-peak-suburban-restoration-update-3/ [2] https://www.gregsrestorations.com/dantes-peak-suburban-restoration-update-2/ [3] https://www.gregsrestorations.com/dantes-peak-suburban-restoration-update-1/ [4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8E4k-j0cUg [5] https://www.gregsrestorations.com/dantes-peak-suburban-restoration-update-4/ [6] https://www.gregsrestorations.com/dantes-peak-suburban-restoration-update-5/ [7] https://www.gregsrestorations.com/dantes-peak-suburban-restoration-update-6/ [8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dante's_Peak [9] https://www.gregsrestorations.com/about/ [10] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6T78Mqr60s
With the ongoing restoration of the 1987 Chevy Suburban from Dante's Peak, one might question the lifestyle choices that led this iconic movie vehicle to a state of rot. Perhaps, the current home-and-garden trend of upcycling could have saved this classic car earlier[11].
While Greg Ward focuses on restoring the movie truck, one could ponder about the narratives that intersect entertaining cinema with home-and-garden endeavors, such as the possible use of cars in home-improvement TV shows or gardening equipment appearing in movies[12].
