This 1983 Chevrolet K5 Blazer is a non-running project, but the price seems right for an affordable build if you’ve been looking for one of these classic squarebodies. The truck is a non-runner at the moment but looks to be reasonably solid; the seller notes it has been parked since 2009. Blazers of this vintage are generally sought after, especially if they remain in stock condition or otherwise haven’t been abused as a plow truck or a mudder. The question is, with so many good ones still out there, how do you justify buying a project when a few bucks more can get you a driver – albeit one with perhaps not as solid of a body? That’s the debate this Blazer here on eBay invites, with a $3,900 Buy-It-Now and the option to submit a best offer.

The Blazer, Bronco, and Scout nameplates are some of the most iconic in the automotive industry. Built to be bruisers that can take you off the trail and back, they were once throwaway vehicles (and many were) that are now sought after as collectors wake up to the fact that not many good ones are left. Throw in the fact that nostalgia for these model names is so high, Chevrolet and Ford both brought the iconic nameplates as new models, albeit ones that seem to fall well short of the original truck’s capabilities. The Blazer is a warmed-over crossover vehicle and the Bronco – well, with the exception of the short-wheelbase model on steel wheels and oversized tires, it’s the country’s hottest new commuter car.

This Blazer has clearly seen better days. One has to assume it was left outdoors for a long period of time, as the upholstery and dashboard certainly look to have borne the brunt of prolonged sun exposure. It’s a shame, too, as the red cloth upholstery would likely be quite eye-catching if it weren’t destroyed. And there are other clues that this Blazer has been in a project state for some time, as the carpets are long gone. Typically, if there was a water ingress problem, a previous owner may have yanked them out to prevent moisture from sitting between a heavy insulation pad and the floors. A car of mine had this exact problem where a wet carpet pad led to rust in the passenger-side rear floor.

The 5.0L V8 may not run, but I doubt it would take much effort to get it to fire up once again. The air cleaner assembly isn’t a factory part, but that appears to be the only major deviation from stock. Hopefully, the updated carburetor assembly is indicative of an owner who wanted to help the truck run better and make repairs when necessary. Still, it’s been off the road in West Texas long enough that there are no guarantees when restoring a truck like this. The asking price seems reasonable for a rust-free squarebody that will hopefully turn out to be a mostly cosmetic restoration without having to deal with rust repair or engine replacement.