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No Reserve: 1973 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 4×4

It’s amazing how many K5 Blazers have retired to quiet lives as ranch hands, being used to putt around large properties in the mid-Western states where rust can’t put them to bed. Rust is really the only way to silence one of these beasts, a truck known for its reliability and overbuilt qualities. This 1973 model sports a perfect patina, and would likely be even nicer if a rollover in the early 80s didn’t lead the owner’s friend doing a quicky repair on the body damage that has started to shows its age. Regardless, it’s a rare factory four-speed truck with less rust than you’d typically fine on one of these that hasn’t been kept as a garage queen. Find it here on eBay with no reserve and bidding at $6,600.

My favorite details about this Blazer are the little period touches, including a CB radio with twin Hustler antennas; white wagon wheels; subtle fender flares; and an off-road-friendly push bar. Someone has added a set of period KC driving lamps, which look great as well. The big mudflaps finish it off, and the truck looks exactly as you’d expect a 4×4 to appear in the middle 70s. The seller notes that the accident damage affected the top and the body, following an unexpected departure from a cow trail and into a snow bank. The top is the removable variety, exposing a full roll bar underneath.

We don’t see too many of these with a manual transmission, and the seller notes that the entire drivetrain works just fine. It’s hard to go wrong with a 350, NP205 transfer case, and four bolt main. The interior is like the rest of the truck and definitely showing its age, with a passenger seat in tatters (surprising, since it’s the passenger bucket that usually perishes). The door panels, dash, and floor all appear to be in reasonable condition with no major wear other than the rigors of daily use detected. It’s equipped with a tachometer and air conditioning, but the seller doesn’t confirm if the latter is working. Everything else inside is said to function, however, with the exception of the AM radio.

The engine bay is clearly that of a used truck, with no attempt made to freshen it up for sale. The seller says there were claims of it being rebuilt with 100,000 miles on the clock, but no paper trail to support it. The carburetor was previously replaced with an efficiency-minded unit, a Brown Carb Company “fuel saver” that should definitely be chucked by the next owner. The Blazer retains all of its hard-to-find A/C components, but with the belt missing, that confirms it’s not operational at present. Still, finding the obsolete parts is the harder part of that equation. A desirable truck with great patina and nice equipment, made all the more cooler with a manual gearbox.

Comments

  1. Avatar David G

    Great trucks. Nice to see the factory tachometer in these as well. Looks like someone made the seller a really good offer, as it has already ended.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Steve R

      Smart buyer.

      Steve R

      Like 2
    • Avatar Angrymike

      You’re absolutely correct, they are great trucks. I’ve owned 2 of them and the only thing that can kill these is rust. I really loved the fuel injected one I owned, I think it was a 90-91.

      Like 3
  2. Avatar local_sheriff

    Despite the roll-over; THE most fragile part on the ’73-’75 K5s – its windshield frame – seems surprisingly intact on this one. Everything else should be easily available for a 2nd gen K5 by now.

    Its hardtop apparently took the most beating – toss it away and pick up a Softopper ASAP. It costs a little fortune but you’ll love it. Great to see the period Hickey style rollbar. Own a ’71 K5 in ‘trail-friendly’ condition and the ‘wind-in-your-hair’ experience with a full convertible Blazer is absolutely priceless

    Like 2
  3. Avatar nlpnt

    Those seats aren’t original, they came with low-back seats.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Dave

    Already gone, but the CB is a period correct 23 channel Realistic TRC-24B. The antennas are Radio Shack’s version of Hustler’s popular Twin Trucker antennas…The Hustlers are shorter and have a white coil cover closer to the top of the antenna.

    Like 1
  5. Avatar jf85tr99

    I was watching “Jaws” the other day thinking the same thing. The chief’s vehicle was a similar K5. The long sturdy work horse but dry king-of-the ranch lives these things must live out west. Unfortunately here in the northeast you’ll still see them running around once and a while but usually sitting in a parking lot with a plow attached waiting for their turn to show newer vehicles up in the winter, rust all the way up to the back side windows. Its always a nice surprise to see my neighbor’s rig pop up in town; a 86 K5 black with the red side trim and Cragars keeps it mint in the garage and rarely drives it.

    Jay

    Like 2
  6. Avatar Neal in Boston

    They are indeed cool but I’d rather have a Scout!

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Bing

    In the day, I owned two as well. A 71 and a 75 I believe.
    Drove the wheels off the first one on western hunting trips, bolted on a high rise intake with a holly 4 bbl. Both of them were tough vehicles and a real help during those Northern New York snowy winters.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Johnny

    Nice looking body. I wonder what kind of shape the rest of it is in. I bought a 78 Bronco that look this good. Everything under it was either wore out or tore off. How do you tear a rear sway bar off? hahaha The only thing I do not like about this is the big ugly mirrors and bumper guard. Right smack in your way if you need to fix or check anything. I hope the under night is in good shape for the buyer. Yokes don,t come cheap. Even cheap stuff don,t come cheap any more.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar YourSoundMan

    From the writeup:

    “The interior is like the rest of the truck and
    definitely showing its age, with a passenger
    seat in tatters (surprising, since it’s the passenger**
    bucket that usually perishes).”

    **Shouldn’t that read ‘DRIVER’ bucket?

    Like 1

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