Chevrolet trailed the Jeep CJ, International Scout, and Ford Bronco in introducing its Blazer in 1969, but one might argue that the route they took in doing so had the most influential long-term effect; after all, full-size SUVs owe more than a little to the basic concept, even if they are unrecognizable to the Blazer today. In basing the Blazer on their full-size pickup, there was certainly some cost savings in parts sharing alone, and the Blazer was also a little roomier than its rivals, at least in width. Like its competitors, the Blazer is riding high in the collector-car marketplace right now, as evidenced by this 1972 model being offered on eBay in Santa Rosa, California. The seller openly explains the truck’s flaws and describes it as a running, driving project, yet the bidding has already reached $15,501 (and has not yet met reserve).
Although the Blazer was available in two-wheel-drive configuration, the four-wheel-drive version is the one that will set most hearts afire. This one is mechanically interesting; the seller says that it has a 350, which was the top engine option in the 1972 Blazer. However, it also has a three-speed manual on the column, which was only available with the base six and the 135-horsepower 307. Additionally, the 350 would have had an NP205 transfer case, while the seller says that this truck has the Dana 20, which was used with lesser engine offerings. No big deal, someone swapped in a 350, and it runs and drives well. Everything works as it should, including the Dana 44 front axle and 12-bolt rear, but it sounds as if just about everything mechanical is leaking to some extent. Old car life…
Someone treated the Blazer to a set of headers and (based on the undercarriage pictures), a set of turbo mufflers, so the Blazer will sound beefy out on the road, and front discs were standard in 1972, so you’ll be able to stop a little easier.
The interior has “SUPER cool 1970s diamond tuck upholstery,” and the orange (two shades available in 1972: Tangier Orange and Firebolt Orange) theme continues inside. Blazers had lift-off tops in 1972; the worst part of this one? Someone cut an aftermarket sunroof into it. The rear hatch is “cracked but savable.”
The seller sums up the body by saying “it is rusty.” On the other hand, the images I’m seeing are “California” rust and not “salt belt” rust. In the owner’s opinion, it needs “inner and outer rockers, floor sections, quarter panel patches, rocker boxes, inner cab supports, lower kick panels, and bed floor sections.” Still, there’s no reason you couldn’t enjoy the truck as it sits; not everything needs to be perfect.
Yet this Blazer is a perfect picture of the early ’70s. I’ve mentioned before that Chevy Blazers with removable tops simply have a “fun” vibe, as if you could go anywhere and do anything. They’re always up for an adventure. You need to bring a lot more cash these days to enjoy them, but the color and mechanical specification of this one are just about right.
Had one, loved it. When we got the rust business out of the way we had zero problems and lots of fun with it.
Omaha orange is what the color is called
I think Omaha Orange and Tangier Orange might be the same color with a different name; these are the color chips from the ’72 Blazer brochure.
This blurb is from “The Coating Store,” which is an online paint shop.
Back in the mid to late 80’s I had an auto repair business in Miami, Florida. I had two women customers that drove a little Honda sport car. They were tired of it and wanted to get a Blazer or Dodge Trailblazer or a Ford Bronco and asked if I could help them find one. In those days people advertised in the News Paper. There were several listed so I went with them to look at the vehicles. They chose a 1975 Chevy Blazer in Baby blue with white top. They liked the vehicle but hated the colors so a friend of mine who painted cars painted it dark blue with black top. They were very happy.
I hope someone buys this one who will give it loving care.
God Bless America
My father had a 71 blazer with a 350 automatic.
It was a nice reliable truck but it was a gas guzzler.
It was the only thing I ever drove that you could use the gas gauge for a speedometer and I don’t mean just when you stepped on it.
Used to tell people ours got 11 mpg running or sitting still.
Got married driving an orange 72 Blazer. Now I have 4 of them from decent to needing an engine. Thinking of making one 2 wheel drive.
I love the look with the old hubcabs. I like the three on the tree, too. That black vinyl is going to set your buns on fire if you take the top off and park in the sun. I probably would’ve went with a lighter color on the interior, maybe. This looks like something I’d be interested in many years ago when driveable projects were in the $5-6k range. I don’t have any idea what it will sell for, but anything north of $10k for something that lots of fluid leak and rust (although it doesn’t appear that bad) is tough to swallow for a workin man.
Its a solid looking Blazer with what appears to be good bones. I wonder how many 4WD Blazers went out the door with the 3 speed on the column. Thats not something you see on a Blazer often, if at all. ( Early Broncos on the other hand, all the time) I’m not 100 percent sure how true this is, so if I’m wrong, forgive me, but a family friend o ours told me when I was a teenager that even the front passenger seat was an option on these. You could order them that
bare boned. I’d leave this one Orange. This way, if I take it to Home Depot and a runaway lumber cart hits it, the paint would match. ( Go ahead….. Ask me how I know lol)
Many don’t know that these were single seaters. The vehicle was designed around utility company use. Combine single user and fleet bid pricing and making seating an option made sense. In addition right up thru the R-V series the Suburban was called the “carry all”. Although by then it had windows but was equipped with the front bench as standard while the 2nd and 3rd row were optional.
It may look good but it sounds like the paint is holding it together if it needs cab supports inner and outer rockers and flooring. Great for a body guy whoncan do all that on the cheap. I am not a body guy. Hopefully it goes tona good home.
I had a 1972 Jimmy 250 six, 3 on the column 4WD. Wish I still had it
My brother had a green 72 Jimmy 6 cyl. 3 on tree ,3in. Lift,35 Monster Mudders,it was huge back in the day,late 70s early 80s
I had a 1972 Jimmy 250 six, 3 on the column 4WD. Wish I still had it Same color
I had a ’70 Jimmy with the straight six and three-on-the-tree. 4×4.
like em.
Fav view? A top-off, from above, behind @ 3/4 view.
Compaired to my 92 inch/7.75 ft WB Bronk this looked
like it hada mile of carpet in it (back bed to firewall, no rear
seat)… something my ’70 utility (1/2 cab, ‘pick-up”) lacks in
refined style. No matter, its a horse of a different color. Work, work, work~
(we got the ford’n cheb of it all today, ey?)
Had a ’72 GMC 2500 that had worse rust in the rockers than this. Love the way that drove and hauled. Surprised I haven’t seen this one around as it is in my neck of the woods.
Love these old Blazers. The whole set up is just right and the sunroof is a neat touch. I also like the full wheel covers with their simulated two piece design. I recall seeing one of these as a gas station shop truck complete with the 3-speed and a snow plow.
It could be a 307 engine with headers