When I look at the recently released Chevy Blazer and compare it to the original, like this 1969 K5, I just mumble to myself. OK, I’m lost in the past maybe, but the first, in the case of the Blazer, was the best IMHO. With that thought, let’s take a closer look at this very orange Chevy off-roader from its inaugural year. It is located in Osceola, Iowa and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $31,407 with 91 bids tendered so far.
The K5 Blazer was essentially a Chevy C10 short-bed pickup truck with an enclosed rear seat and a useable carrying/cargo area, all perched on top of a shorter, 104″ wheelbase. It filled an unoccupied marketing slot in GM’s lineup, one that was covered by the CJ at Jeep, the Bronco at Ford, and the Scout at International. It worked out well as it combined pick-up truck amenities with both useable carrying capacity and off-road capability. Selling only about 5K units its first year, the Blazer quickly caught on and sold twice that volume in 1970.
Available in both two and four-wheel drive, our subject vehicle is of the four-wheel-drive variety with an automatic transmission and a 350 CI V8 engine. Originally, a 255 gross HP powerplant, the motor has been modified with a throttle-body fuel injection unit. The seller gives no details regarding operational characteristics but he does mention that in addition to the engine, the automatic transmission and transfer case have been rebuilt. The mileage recording is 25K but no claim is made to the reading’s accuracy so it has probably been once around.
The outside of this Blazer looks great. The seller claims that it has been in storage for ten years and it has never had a sign of rust. No mention is made regarding the originality of the Hugger/Medium Orange finish but it presents very well. The wheels are aftermarket pieces, but beyond them, this Blazer appears as original. The seller mentions that he does have a new, unused canvas soft top included in the sale.
Inside, the driver is pretty much staring at a C10 pickup instrument panel. It appears to be in good nick with standard gauges and the addition of an aftermarket radio. The black vinyl seat upholstery and door cards show as unworn originals though the carpet is typically faded to a dark brown – a common malady with GM’s nylon loop rugs.
We know that Chevrolet/GM pickups from the ’67-72 period are popular and apparently that popularity extends, in even greater amounts, to Blazers of the same generation. The bid on this K5 has jumped $300 in the last hour or so, and being a no reserve auction, this Chevy is definitely going to a new home. I think Ford has done a better job of recreating their 21st-century Bronco than Chevrolet has done with the Blazer, though I think the Bronco looked better in early publicity pictures than it does in reality. As for the Blazer? No contest, I’ll take this original anytime, how about you?
School in the early 70’s, Quincy Illinois, a Mississippi River town.
All the way from Oregon comes a classmate, driving one of these, same color, IIRC.
He told me that made the trip with only one fuel stop.
In addition to the factory-installed tank, there was another, larger one mounted behind the rear seat. Seems to me that it was more than 50 gallons, so he was rolling with about 80 when full. That thing was legendary for going anywhere during snows. He had a successful gig using the front-mounted winch to pull cars up the hill into town from the bridge. Worked great, with the Blazer stabilized on an island at the top. Had to quit it though. The winch cable snapped when attempting to bring a Cadillac up on ice. I think he felt lucky that no one got hurt…
Sigh … I can remember when these and 1st gen Camaros were so cheap it was popular to combine the two.
Yeah, personally not thrilled with the look of the new Bronco (4 dr is a Flex with a lift kit), but its off-road capabilities with optional lockers should do the original proud. Lets hope Ford has the guts to keep it around, not fearing that it’s stealing buyers from other family brands. The new Blazer is nothing more than another car-based mommy-wagon, almost indistinguishable from millions of others. Compare that to this nice looking 52 yr old Blazer, and it’s a shame Chevy couldn’t do better.
Too bad the interior isn’t red-orange to match, the body and engine are color-coordinated!
Other than the permanent eBay fixtures that never sell thanks to wishful pricing, unmolested daily driver types rarely show up any more so it will be interesting to see what the actual going rate is these days. One of my dumber decisions was to sell my 1972 CST with factory air. I have regretted it ever since.
A close friend of mine had an older brother that had one of these, When the weather got bad, he used to let us use it to pull people who were stuck or ended up in the ditch because of the snow. We could make a killing during a bad storm, and it more than paid for our gas and beer. We were only 16, and it was a lot of fun, plus the people were very happy to get unstuck. We let them pay what they could afford, so everyone was happy. His brother was killed in a snowmachine accident, and that truck was rarely ever driven again. I think of him everytime I see one with this color set up. It’s kind of a bittersweet memory.
Nice survivorish ,very rare 69,in the best colors .I bet it hits $40k in the next couple hours.If I didn’t already have 3 ………
Had a friend in high school whose brother had one exactly like this one. This was back in 78, so FWD was not very popular yet, and a lot of people would get stuck after a good snowfall. He would let us go out on the weekends and help people for cash. It was quite lucrative because it was rural and of course no cell phones. We were only 16, and had a few beers, made money, and helped people who were very grateful. We never overcharged anyone, and if cute girls were involved it was free. His brother was killed in a snowmachine accident the next year, and nobody had the heart to drive his truck. It sat out behind their barn for years, I think of him everytime I see one like it. Its a bittersweet memory.
Hey, I apologize if my story was repeated, it wasn’t on purpose.
Sold for a high bid of $33,821.33, reserve met.
Steve R
2wd K5 wasn’t introduced until ’70 model year. Only 4.935 were built for ’69
By coincidence,I saw this ’72 near Bassett Forks,VA
yesterday.
Your comments about the new Bronco looking much better in photos than seeing it in person is exactly what I was saying to a buddy just the other day…