What’s the next collectible 4×4 SUV? Early Broncos and Scouts (the non-rust pile type) have been at a premium for quite some time now. The astronomical prices Wagoneers are selling at lately is just plain crazy. How about something newer, perhaps from the ’80’s? Maybe a Bronco II? Well those have been steadily climbing in price too and it seems they’re incredibly hard to find in decent, original condition. I live in the Northeast and it breaks my heart every time I see a non-running example in someone’s yard, its nose drooping due to the weight of an old snow plow still attached (I don’t think that’s quite the purpose Ford engineers had in mind for the little grocery-getter). How about a Chevy? Certainly becoming harder to find is a first generation S-10 Blazer. Well, here’s one for sale on Craigslist in Brattleboro, VT for what seems like the reasonable price of $2,750.
As the seller points out “This classic SUV is…beautiful in striking blue metallic paint…with real chrome accents.” That’s good salesmanship and the truck really does pop in the ad’s featured photo. So far so good, but I think I see some rust visible on the frame rail below the driver’s side door. In the ad the seller makes a contradictory statement claiming “It’s got no rust, only very light surface rust.” Come again? More pictures would certainly give a true sense of the condition of the body and undercarriage but sadly there’s just one picture of the exterior provided. The seller goes on to mention in his extremely lengthy ad that the paint is “nearly perfect on the sides and rear…but super faded on parts of the top.” But with only one exterior picture in the ad my hopes are beginning to fade and doubt is creeping in. The fact that it used to be a California truck is a reasonable explanation for the faded roof paint, but I wonder what a couple of salty Vermont winters have done to the underside?
Initially offered in only two door style, first generation S-10 Blazers were produced from model year 1983 through 1994 (four-door models weren’t offered until model year 1991). Based on the compact-size S-10 truck platform, the square nose and large grill certainly give the Blazer that signature Chevy look from the ’80’s. Yet it’s the gentle curve of the pillars and the added touch of the rear spoiler that give it a bit of unique style, particularly at a time when other popular compact SUV’s of the day like the Bronco II and Jeep Cherokee were still boxy and square. Under the hood of this blue beast is the bigger 2.8 liter V6 option for 1987, which produced 110 hp as compared to the base 2.0 liter, 83 hp 4-cylinder mill. The seller claims the engine runs strong with zero issues, but the clock shows a whopping 214,000 miles. Things become even more grim as one slogs further through the ad to discover the 4-wheel drive isn’t operable, a missing rear shock tower, no AC, a broken gas gauge, spongy brakes, and myriad electrical issues. I think I am beginning to realize why I haven’t seen one of these trucks on the road in such a long time. Maybe I should just go and offer that guy $500 for the abandoned Bronco II with the drooping front end?
Is the seller also looking to hock his vintage leather jacket? Or is he living in his Blazer? Neither. Instead he’s attempting to demonstrate the truck’s ample storage space and how, with the rear bench seat folded flat “…you can really fit a ton in it.” I wonder what’s in the brown paper bag? Stale donuts? Perhaps a six pack of Heady Topper? The ad mentions that the cloth interior is in really good condition “for its age” minus a couple of small tears in the driver’s seat. Both front seats are sporting seat covers so the seller will have to be taken at his word. Despite the clutter and poor pictures, it does look like the interior might clean up pretty well. A non-rusted, never abused 4×4 vehicle priced under $3,000 is certainly difficult to come by. But since the 4-wheel drive in this Blazer is out-of-order and considering it’s got a ton of miles on the motor, the seller might have to address a few of the repairs himself in order to realize his asking price of $2,750. It sure looks tempting though. So what do you think? Is the first generation S-10 Blazer poised to rival the Bronco II in terms of increasing collectability?
Well for the price I guess it would be good enough for your teenager to have as his/her first car to learn the skills of navigating our roads while texting. Only if you live close and don’t have any shipping costs.
I’ve got 2 words for this unit,,,plow truck. I had an ’84 S-10 Blazer, I liked the vehicle, had a lot of miles on it, my ex went through 2 motors. The 2.8 was a POS motor. I did have good luck with some 2.8’s, but generally a gutless thing, and my ex had it to the floor all the time. The 4.3, which came out in ’88, was a much better unit. And I beg to differ with the author, this WILL be as collectible as the Bronco ll, another POS I don’t consider collectible at all. Plow truck.
I had a very nice ’85 around 1990~91. It was a two wheel drive with everything on it. I liked it but, from day one it over heated. I had it to a couple of places and the cause of it’s problem couldn’t be located so, it went on to a new owner who had plans for a V8 swap.
“The seller claims the engine runs strong”
HAHAHA!! I have never driven a 2.8 with enough power to even pull a fart out of a fat lady.
The do seem to run forever, but that is just because they don’t have enough power to hurt themselves.
Had one with a four banger and it was definitely lacking on power but the little guy did great in deep snow. I’d love to have another one to beat around the winter months in.
I wouldn’t touch an 80’s GM with over 200k on it…..and i owned 5 S-10’s back in the 80’s/90’s…….the 2.8s are anemic, if you plan to tow anything with it…..the rear windows are VERY easy to break, just a piece of glass with metal trim around it….thieves love them…….
I always loved these. I’d jump on it we’re it a 93 or 94.
I had an S10 pickup ( 1986 ) with the 2.8 liter 4 sod. It was also a 4×4, one of the slowest vehicles I ever owned. It would have been a fine truck if GM had had the forethought to make the small block V8 available. For the Blazer I would holdout for the 4 door version. Much nicer if you’re going to have rear seat passengers.
My dad had the weak 83’ then bought the vortec in 93’, whoa, “a little to much power for him!” It was a beast, with no weight in the rear, too much peddle in the rain or ice and you’d be facing traffic quick! Side glass had about an inch of play top to bottom…great ride though…