1972 Chevrolet Blazer

Description

Jeep invented the personal 4x4, Ford made it popular, and trucks like this 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer perfected the breed. Blending just the right amounts of go-anywhere truck durability with creature comforts and practicality, the Blazer was a mainstay of popular automotive culture for decades, and few are better suited to that legacy than this nicely restored 4x4.

The handsome black paint was applied just a few years ago and still looks good on the Blazer's squared-off body lines. There's plenty of Chevy pickup truck DNA in there, but who can argue with the result when it looks this good? The proportions are ideal for a big yet personal SUV, and with the removable black fiberglass hardtop (which has been coated with a spray-on bedliner material), it's fairly easy to transform it into a fun-in-the-sun machine for a day at the beach. The idea of having fun in this truck was clearly the driving force behind the freshening, since it isn't trailer queen perfect, but rather a nice blend of restored and original components that ensure you won't think twice about climbing behind the wheel and putting it to use. It fits together quite well, the doors close easily, and that big hood doesn't need a massive slam, and there's no evidence that it has ever been wrecked or abused. The simple chrome grille and front bumper, a few modest badges, and a shiny rear bumper with a hitch add just enough sparkle to make this truck feel at home anywhere it goes.

Twin bucket seats with new two-tone seat covers, fresh black carpets, and correct door panels anchor a stylish and functional interior. Today, we might find the inside of the Blazer absurdly spacious, but that's the great thing about old vehicles like this, particularly when they're also practical and functional. There's a matching red and black cover on the rear bench, too, making this a comfortable 5-passenger vehicle that'll truly go almost anywhere. Sparkling gauges are some of the best you'll find in a truck and they're framed by a new three-spoke steering wheel that's beefy enough to look right in the full-sized Blazer. A modern stereo radio fits in the dash like it was born there, so your music can come with you, and it's hard to imagine a better vehicle for playing outside. Open the tailgate and even with the back seat in place there's still plenty of cargo space for just about anything you'll need.

The 350 cubic inch V8 under the hood is the perfect companion if you're going somewhere remote. With a 4-barrel carburetor and a few chrome dress-up parts, it might look more at home in a Camaro, but it works just fine in this big 4x4 as well. Rebuilt a few years ago, it runs superbly, starting easily and idling with a muscular rumble from the custom dual exhaust system. The engine bay is dominated by the big chrome air cleaner, but if you look carefully you'll see a lot of new components, ranging from the tune-up parts to a giant aluminum radiator. It's backed by a 4-speed manual gearbox, which is a rather rare find, plus a 2-speed transfer case that feeds power to the axles at both ends. With a slight lift, it'll climb over big obstacles and upgraded shocks keep it from being too rough a ride. Classic Rally wheels were painted black then fitted with massive 33x12.50-15 off-road radials complete to the go-anywhere look.

Big Blazers are big fun, and with this southern truck that's ready to hit the trails, you can combine work and play without changing a thing. Call today!