The Blazer was introduced in 1969 to compete with the International Scout and the Ford Bronco, but it quickly shouldered aside those vintage vehicles thanks to its upscale interior. While the Scout and the Bronco were primitive inside, the Blazer offered air conditioning and an optional automatic transmission, normally reserved for luxury vehicles. It only took one model year for the Blazer to outsell its competition, and like its brethren, it has gained considerable favor in the collector market. Here on eBay is a 1973 Chevrolet Blazer 4×4 for sale, bid to $15,200. This handsome truck is located in West End, North Carolina.
This Blazer has a 350 cu. in. V8 with 126,000 miles. The transmission is a column-shift automatic. It is said to run, ride and drive very well but I’m going to bet at least the motor will need a rebuild soon if it hasn’t had one. While the 350 only generated about 160 bhp in ’73, it was fairly torquey and felt peppy; on the other hand, the solid front axle didn’t do the ride any favors. But if you’ve ever driven a Scout or a Bronco of the same generation, you’ll learn to appreciate the Blazer. It’s a 4×4 which was an option back in the day, though by the time this second generation Blazer arrived, very few 2x2s were being sold.
The interior looks its age, needing a front seat repair. On the other hand, the seller has new carpets and rubber seals still in the box, which are included in the sale. The rear seat is in good shape. This truck has the Cheyenne package with air conditioning, which needs recharging. The glass appears good, and the badging for the exterior is sitting on the console.
The door corners and wheel arches are showing some rust but the floors and rockers are said to be solid. The seller believes the truck has seen one repaint in its original color, but I’d say that needs a redo. This Blazer has the full convertible top, which was no longer an option after 1975. The tires are new and the wheels have been powder coated – that’s a start! These trucks can go sky-high in price if they’ve been fully restored, but there’s a long ways to go on this one. What do you think – drive it and restore as you go, or get into it right away full bore?
hmm…2×2 , maybe 4×2 ;)
My brother had a 2×2 ” It was a Rokon”
My dad bought a new 73 K5, he had wanted a 72, but they had already cut off orders for that production year. He traded in my mother’s red 71 Mach 1, something she has still not gotten over 50 years later. He owned several more over the years, so I’ve always had an affection for them. I’ve owned a 71 & 72 myself, but never a square. Honestly, I’m surprised it still has the full time 4wd hubs on It. If it hasn’t already, better plan to replace the chain in that NP203 transfer case.
It hasn’t been that long at these were a lot cheaper than trucks of the same model year, my how times have changed.
I can only imagine just how much more modern the ’73 must have felt for a new vehicle buyer. While the 1st and early 2nd gen K5s are technically extremely close the 1st definateley goes into the ‘agricultural’ category! 😁
Most every improvement of the 2nd gen makes it lean towards it being targeted to a more ‘civilized’ audience