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Rare Highlander Edition: 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer

The Chevy K5 Blazer was an early full-size, 4WD SUV built between 1969 and 1995. For much of this time, GMC had a badged version they called the Jimmy. In 1972, Chevy offered a one-year-only trim package called the Highlander, which came with Scottish plaid upholstery. The seller’s K5 looks like it’s mostly original and runs well but needs cosmetic TLC. Located in Escalon, California, this Blazer is available here on eBay. $21,900 is the current bid (reserve not met) and the Buy It Now price tag is $44,000.

When the Blazer debuted, it was based on the K10 pickup with a shortened wheelbase. Chevy set its sights on the Ford Bronco and the IH Scott, which were the market leaders. Blazers could be had with creature comforts like factory air conditioning and power steering which were less often seen on the pickups. Not a lot seems to be available online about the Highlander option unless you want to buy a 1:18 scale diecast replica of one. The focus seems to be on the plaid seats, which would come in four colors depending on the paint scheme of the SUV.

We don’t know what this orange Highlander has been up to for the past 52 years. It has covered 86,000 miles and wears the usual scrapes and bruises that you’d find after all this time. It has a 350 cubic inch V8 paired with a TH-350 automatic transmission that the seller says performs as it should. It comes with A/C but the seller doesn’t indicate if it’s working.

The Highlander upholstery has seen better days, at least in the front. The material has duct tape in places to help hold it together. Beyond the obvious patina, the only known rust is in the rocker panels. This might be a vehicle that you could drive as-is (after redoing the seats and fixing the rust) or you could decide to restore the vehicle. But the price of acquisition could lead to a pricey project.

Comments

  1. Jim

    $44,000? Are they high?

    Like 34
    • Todd

      Hoping for Bronco hysteria perhaps.

      Like 4
    • MARK A. JACKSON

      Arent they going for higher, out west? Ive seen a few shows where these type of vehicles go for insanely high prices.

      Like 4
      • Ron

        You’re right, after they have been completely upgraded at a cost of about $100k they will bring $75-120k.

        Like 4
      • The Truth

        Nope they are going for $15-20,000 in this shape and f$40,000 for a super nice one/restored

        Like 3
    • Otterdog Member

      It ain’t named Lowlander : )

      Like 4
    • stillrunners stillrunners Member

      yep…..think it’s a re-listed one from last week….

      Like 1
      • The Truth

        Probably, I know where this blazer is (about 5 miles from my house), the guy has several of this body style blazers and pickups. His resale prices are insane for the shape they are in. I believe he has so many because he’s a mobile mechanic and he finds them on ranches.

        Like 2
    • JWK

      Yes they are high. It’s California after all…

      Like 0
  2. bobhess bobhess Member

    Had a ’72 and loved it. This one is pretty scruffy for that kind of asking price.

    Like 8
  3. David

    44k is the, “honey I’m trying to sell it,” price.

    Like 13
  4. Rick

    I had 1972 K5 Chevy Blazer 100 times better than that one with 35’s chrome rims I bought in 1985 for $2000.00 & everyone said I got ripped off!. I put about $6500.00 in to it with new motor ,tires , suspension & completely new interior & My girlfriend hated it. I sold it at a loss & bought a brand new Toyota 4 x 4 Pick up. Boy I miss that K5…

    Like 5
    • Sean Howard

      Shoulda traded in the girlfriend and kept the Blazer…

      Like 20
  5. Glyn H Wood

    $44 grand ? Ridiculous !

    Like 7
    • The Truth

      Thats the buy it now price. I know where this blazer is (about 5 miles from my house), the guy has several of this body style blazers and pickups. His resale prices are insane for the shape they are in. I believe he has so many because he’s a mobile mechanic and he finds them on ranches.

      Like 1
  6. Mark P

    $44K and what makes it “special” is toast, the upholstery. I like it as it sits, tired and drivable for what it’s meant for. Put $40+K into it and make it into what most think it should be, then you’ll have another vehicle that can only be used for showing to other people.

    Like 5
  7. Mike76

    Cool truck no doubt but I am sorry, prices for these K5s and Broncos are absolutely ludicrous. My dad still owns a 76 Scout that he bought new and driving it makes me think I know how people that rode in stagecoaches felt. They’re fun to drive and play with but the ride is unrefined at best and there’s definitely no creature comforts in the cabin. I get that’s part of the charm, but at the prices these are selling for you’re most certainly not getting a lot for your money. At 25, 30, 40k, cool…at 85, 100, 150k…f@ck that. I guess it’s a matter of perspective though, as much as I love muscle car era vehicles, no way on our Lord’s green earth would I pay six figures for one, so….I am probably not the target audience anyway.

    Like 5
  8. Mark

    My ’72 K5 was purchased in Anchorage in 1980. Used it for work up in AK until August, then it carried me on a leisurely trip down toward Denver, via the AK ferry system. The drive from Prince Rupert to Colorado took me over a week in time, and stops were made at numerous Canadian and US National Parks. The yellow Blazer had two names: “Yukon Junk” and (preferred) “Sometimes a Great Motion”. Certainly one of the most reliable vehicles I’ve ever owned, and one of the most adventurous!

    Like 0
  9. Dan N

    While the Toyota Highlander is a nice vehicle, I’ll take THIS Highlander if I can find the correct upholstery and other interior materials. Just that $10K might be as high as I’ll go, so I’m gonna lose out on this one.

    Like 1
    • Sean Howard

      $10k for a 1st Gen K5? You are high…

      You can’t even get a 73-90 K5 for $10k anymore.

      Like 3
      • Dan N

        I meant THIS specific K5 because of its condition. It needs a lot of stuff and it looks like the rocker panels are gone. And that Highlander-specific upholstery and the rest of that interior will cost a pretty penny.

        Like 4
      • The Truth

        I’m from California and yes you can find the for around $10,000 in this shape. Infact I live about 5 miles from this guy. I knkw for a fact he got this and several other truck for practically free because he’s a mobile mechanic and and will trade work for truck, then flip the trucks.

        Like 1
  10. Matthew Dyer

    “The only rust…” Ha! Say no more. Good grief.

    Like 2

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