Having grown up with rear-wheel-drive vehicles in a city that gets 10+ feet of snow every winter, not to mention being known as “Little San Francisco” because of its steep streets, I think it’s funny that everyone thinks they need AWD to survive now. This 1980 Chevrolet C10 Blazer Silverado is posted here on Facebook Marketplace in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, and they’re asking $7,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Lothar… of the Hill People for the tip!
It’s hard to get a read on the condition of this 2WD Blazer’s body. The seller says there is some rust in the roof and floors, so that’s not good. There appears to be some rust or other damage on the left fender, and rust is visible around the rear wheel wells and other areas. Michigan isn’t exactly the desert Southwest or Pacific Northwest as far as preserving sheet metal, so expect to hit the aftermarket parts catalogs pretty heavily on this one. The center portion of this grille appears to have been painted; 1980 was the first year for the Silverado trim on the Blazer, and it should be all “chrome.”
There’s a lot of conflicting information on the internet (really? I never noticed!) about whether all Blazers are called K5 regardless of whether they’re 4WD or 2WD. I’m going by the last page of this 1980 Chevrolet Blazer brochure, which shows C10 RWD and K10 4WD Blazer specs. And it isn’t even listed as a C5; it’s aC10. Generally, all Blazers of this era are referred to as K5. Is it too early for a Gin & Tonic? Whew.
I love the look of a lower, 2WD Blazer or Jimmy of this era. I’m guessing that the uber-jacked-up pickup craze will eventually run its course, as every trend comes and goes. Are any of you still wearing acid-washed jeans or leisure suits? Bonus points for wearing a leisure suit, by the way. Long-time Barn Finds commenter and one of the nicest humans to ever walk the earth, Bob_in_TN, recently got a new Ford pickup, and he had the back end lowered a few inches, just to even out the appearance, not to “slam” it or anything like that (another trend that’ll eventually go away). It looks perfect and is as tailored and crisp as Bob is himself. I think the stance on this Blazer is perfect in 2WD form.
Cap’n Obvious says that the interior also needs work, as you can see. Again, pretty much every part needed can be found in several aftermarket catalogs, and it’s just money, right? This won’t be an inexpensive “restoration” if a person wanted to restore this Blazer back to like-new again. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to do that; they’d start with a rust-free example, or I would. The Silverado trim level is fancy, and a red and white interior is pretty fun here, without looking like you should be wearing a Super Fly hat. Good news: the back seat looks great! We don’t get to see the rear cargo area or underneath, unfortunately. The second-generation Blazers were made for model years 1973 through 1991. The new-for-1980 Silverado Blazer trim level included either vinyl or nice cloth seats. I would have voted for the houndstooth cloth to match my pants in 1980, but that’s just me.
The engine is wearing some new bits, and I don’t see an AC compressor, which is surprising. They say that it’s a “small block,” which could be a 305 OHV V8 with 130 hp or a 350 OHV V8 with 160 hp. This one is backed by a three-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels, and the seller says it ran but lost spark, and they have a new coil and distributor cap that they’ll try to get on there if they can get to it (20 minutes?), but expect to have it trailered home. Any thoughts on this K5, C5, C10, XJ-2000… Blazer? What do you think the official Chevrolet/GM name is for this model? Not what you’ve always called them, but the actual, published, official name. I’m going by the official Chevy brochure for C10.
What a headache I just got. Make that a double Scotty & I recommend having two. Cheers!
Scotty, Thanks BUT NO thanks!!!!!! Where did grow up?? I have lived / worked in the “Lake Effect” snow belt north of Syracuse NY and pushed a lot of snow with a 1966 2 wheel drive International M 220, one way and wing.. But when it would go more, we dug out an old 1950 Walter 4X4 Sno-Fighter. Nothing stopped it!!
These are very desirable in the sport truck market. I know I have always wanted one. However, I think I am over it, this truck would take lots of money and time and I don’t have a lot of either one right now! I think it will sell fast.
The idea of a 2wd K/5 Blazer may not make sense to everyone. I once had a neighbor who drove 2wd Ramchargers. Said that it was perfect for pulling his boat. I think the maneuverability would have been a plus, in addition to fewer moving parts, before compact SUVs made their appearance. You’re right about how we got around in snow before 4wd became so common. That’s a skill many today will never acquire.
From the very beginning in 1969, the Blazer’s were listed in GM’s ordering system as being Series C10 and K10 K/5’s. For it’s first Blazer’s first two years it’s Ordering Guide had the heading “Series C10 and K10, K/5 Blazer”. For 1970 the heading was changed to just “K/5 Blazer”, but the Blazer was still listed as being Series C10 & K10 Series trucks. When the Blazer came back in 1975, the term “K/5” no longer appeared in the Ordering Guides.
My guess is GM called the first generation Blazer K/5’s, and they were part of the C10 and K10 line of GM trucks. When the Blazer returned in 75 after a two years absence, it looks like GM dropped the “K/5” designation and they became just Blazers?
The 1980 Blazer here was Model #CC10516. If it was four wheel drive the Model number would be CK10516.
I like the look of lowered and the two wheel drive GM square bodies, but with the stock wheels and white walls this one looks a little awkward to me. Lowered square bodies need wider wheels and tires that fill the wheel opening to look right.