Taking a low mileage specimen and restoring it is a bit of a calculated risk in the collector vehicle world. First of all, you have to truly weigh up and down how the outside world will respond to your so-called improvements, especially if the vehicle in question is enough of a collector’s item that enthusiasts will consider it a sin to have restored it. The 1985 Chevrolet Blazer shown here on eBay has under 55,000 original miles but the seller still proceeded to tear it down and build it back from scratch.
Bidding is currently at $26,200 with the reserve unmet. Personally, I would have liked to have seen this truck with an unrestored exterior and a fresh interior, but that’s me. There were certainly enough K5 Blazers made that the world won’t miss one survivor that’s been made to look new, and it certainly looks like high-quality work from the photos. The black upholstery appears to be near-flawless, and the seller claims the respray is just as nice on the outside. I love the aggressive look of the all-terrain tires.
But there may be purists out there who would pay just as strong money for a survivor truck – to which the seller would likely say, “Then go buy that truck.” One thing I’ve learned over the years is that as much as I like survivors, a lot of folks simply like things that are pretty. Shiny cars and trucks are eye-candy to the uninitiated, and they certainly are nice to stare at while sitting in your garage. The seller notes that the hard top was taken off and re-textured as part of the restoration.
The engine is a standard 350 that was removed and serviced with new gaskets and all service items replaced. The A/C and heat were “upgraded” though no details are provided as to how; I’m just glad it works! This is a wholly usable truck that could be treated like a daily if you were so inclined; certainly, if you live in a state that doesn’t use road salt, I wouldn’t fault you in the least for putting it into regular service. Would you have left this low-mileage truck alone or restored it like the seller did?
Hot damn!! This thing is sweet!! My neighbor had one back in the day Black with red interior .Loved this truck!!
I would love to have this in my driveway ! ….I love it !
That two tone blue and grey square body doesnt look too shabby either. This is one nice Blazer and very tastefully redone
Guess I’m never going to understand why you’d rebuild the entire interior and leave the outside looking like crap. The AC upgrade is probably the switch from R22 to R134a refrigerant and the associated parts to accomplish it. I like this Blazer just like it is. The fact that our ’72 was solid white over black might have something to do with it.
Why does the outside look like “crap”?
It looks like it’s in great condition.
I was commenting on Jeff’s comment on some folks like the original, used look rather that going all the way like the builder did on this beauty. The ’48 Chevy pickup above is a good example of what I’m talking about.
Why does the outside look like crap!! It was re sprayed!! The tires need to come off as they don’t match the vehicle!!
R 22 was used in home ac systems, i think that you mean to say R12
“ One thing I’ve learned over the years is that as much as I like survivors, a lot of folks simply like things that are pretty.”
And that, Jeff, is perhaps the BEST summation of this group written in all the narratives yet said here.
Some folks obviously enjoy the art of restoring a lost soul to its glory days again, and others agree with how good that machine makes them look with them in it or when it’s proudly displayed in their garage/ warehouse/ hanger/ front room/wherever.
This one is definitely one of those that will give the onlookers something to appreciate for years to come-and it’s more simple/easier to work on/less expensive/a helluva lot more fun than practically all the modern renditions we have out there on the road today.
With this funky interior from who knows what and the wheels and tires and low mileage I’m thinking it was stolen and put back together with anything they got lying around! You don’t take nice interior out and put junk in
Just me or is that interior way off stock. No headrests. Still like the truck but a hard pass on that interior.
I agree. High back buckets were standard on the ‘85 Blazer, and these low back seats seem like an odd choice.
RBig18 and NHDave, I agree with you gentlemen. I am a purist. I want my vehicles to be 100% stock or as close as possible. Those seats are anything but. My ‘89 big Jimmy was pure and it stayed showroom new the entire time I owned it. This one shows pretty but who in the heck thinks “pretty” and truck are 2 words that should go together?
Hard to say as I’m an old school for originally and have very discriminating tastes that don’t aline with people that like to go overboard!! K-5’s are hard to find original and in good shape. Somewhat tasteful in my opinion. Interior overdone and don’t care for the tires. When the statement,” go find that car”,!! is said …. well good luck finding one 🤷
Would I restore? That all depends what shape the K5 Blazer was in at the time. If it ran fine with no leaks, no rust or corrosion? Low miles like it has? NO it’s only original ONCE, otherwise its just an easy to restore K5.
Great looking K/5. These were already becoming less common with the S-T series appealing to the fuel efficient shopper. Too bad that 2-door anything has vanished from the US market. The 350 is a great find as the 305 was a little sluggish. My experience was with test mules and the braking characteristics were suspect but those were pretty abused and may not reflect the real world.
More low mileage no paperwork to back it up TMU
Absolutely Beautiful and worth every penny. ❤️ The Heartbeat of America proven again. Love it.
Maybe a bonehead question, but shouldn’t it read “Silverado” instead of “Custom Deluxe” on the dash, to match the Silverado emblem on the rear quarter panels?
Wow. That was a good catch there Eagle eyes. I never noticed that. Every square bodymy dad bought was a Custom Deluxe. Just got used to see that on thr dash. But yeah, I think you’re right that should have a Silverado insignia on the dash.
Thanks Driveinstile, just another thing on the theme of mismatched parts that others have commented on I guess. When I was kid back in the good ol days we had a ’77 GMC Jimmy with the High Sierra package. It definitely had the High Sierra insignia on the dash.
It does make one wonder, did the dash come off another rig, and if so, why?
They may have made a ton of these, but in salt country, there is nary a K5, Bronco, or Ramcharger that hasn’t succumbed to the rust. 30 years ago one couldn’t swing a dead cat without hitting one….now, as rare as hen’s teeth.
Nice at first glance, but something off with the tailgate.Lighting effect in the picture maybe.Could be Bondo,lines not straight, I’d have to see body on this truck if I was in the market.Nice truck though.
I’m in the process of restoring my 1982 Jimmy with a 6.2 diesel. I’m planning on making it into a capable off-road truck and also us it to pull a small camper. I was looking at finding an old suburban with barn doors and use the back half of the suburban and put it on to the Jimmy. Im still up in the air about doing that.
I’m a bit unconvinced about the mileage, frankly.