Take a look at this photo: the very familiar shape of a Chevy Blazer is flanked at the back by its spiritual predecessor, the Jeep (in this case the Wrangler, an indirect descendant of the original WW II Willys MB), and at the front by its spiritual successor, a modern, relatively small SUV (here represented by this Kia Sportage). As times change, cars continue to evolve.
I think most modern SUVs take their inspiration from this specific K5, being it’s a 2WD- as most SUVs are nowadays. Yes, I know this Blazer is truck-based and constructed differently than the uni-body Sportage above, but stay with me, people; I’m referring to the spirit of things.
The license plate tells me this Blazer was imported when new, back in 1981 and as you can see, it’s been kept as original as can be:
As with most of my dash-can classic victims, this K5 was also familiar. Predictably, I photographed it before at classic meetings, at different times:
Close-up, it looks very well preserved. Nice to see it being used more than just traveling to-and-from classic car meetings.
Remarkably un-messed with Blazer for Israel. Maybe because it’s a 4X2. The 4x4s usually get a lift of some sort, aftermarket wheels and modified engines.
The 2wd’s get defiled here in the states on a regular basis. Ive got no problem with a lowering kit and a set of wide Cragar SS wheels…that’s the right look for something like this. But all too often theyre on those ugly clown shoe full chrome 20″ or more ‘DUBS’. To each his own, but it just makes these look stupid, IMHO. The 4x4s get lifts and engine mods which is just fine but the trend of those same big rims has infected those too.
This sort of treatment (although not as extreme as in the US, given the regulations they have) is reserved for pick ups over there – the 4X2 Blazer escapes under the radar being neither fish not fowl.
Really nice trucks, and rare to see a 2wd…the 4x4s outsold the 2wd at a pretty substantial rate. The Wrangler’s continued popularity is proof positive that theres definitely a market for a REAL sports utility. CUVs have their place…arguably its a much better option than a regular sedan, but as a replacement for whats basically a truck with some car like civility…not a chance.
I always feel weird talking about “CUVs” or “crossovers”. Those terms just sound too inside-baseball industry jargony, why not just call them tall wagons?
Very nice to see a stock one .
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Here in So. Cal. these are very expen$ive because Low Riders want to buy therm all, what they do to them inevitably ruins them beyond repair in a couple years, a very sad thing indeed .
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I worked with a nice guy who bought his in 1972 and kept it for years, because he was Mexican everyone assumed he’d never part with it, one day a new hire simply asked him and got it for $1,500.00, took it home and dismantled it, sold it for scrap two years later .
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Bone stock except for the engine, he’d replaced it a few times over the decades but it still had shiny original Orange paint and seats….
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GAH .
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-Nate
Gotta admire the Wrangler, it’s the beginning of the trend and mostly the same as it was today with it’s removable top and doors. The K5/Bronco/Ramcharger on the other hand are the missing link between the Jeep and whatever that plastic thing is, but you can’t buy anything like them today. All the fun has been refined away in the SUV catagory.
I thought K’s were 4WD and C’s were 2WD?
You are correct, in general and when referring to the pickup trucks. For some reason lost to time, all Blazers were badged as “K5”, even the 2WD variants.
One theory put forth by the Blazer intelligentsia is that Chevrolet built so few 2WD Blazers that they deemed it not worth the expense to cast a “C5” badge.
That’s as good an explanation as any. Until this article I didn’t know this generation had any 2wd ones.
Even better than the original exterior are the glimpses of the plaid upholstery! That’s one feature that modern SUVs/CUVs elected not to copy.
i dream of jeeps but these things really appeal to me. i was surprised at the high premium you have to pay to get a nice one on ebay. the general really knows how to build a truck.
@ Safe:
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Be aware that ’73 ~ ’92 GM trucks are really good, IMO the very last real trucks GM made however the sheet metal used in the bodies is TIN FOIL and not rust proofed in any way ~ I had a ’46 GMC 2500 that spent it’s life in So. Cal. and still had rust issues….
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Had it been a short bed step side I’d still own it, it was that good .
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-Nate
…adding it does not have collectors car plates meaning it’s in daily use, which is the more astonishing given its condition.
I always saw 2WD versions of this type of vehicle as pointless, like tits on boar. The only reason I would have one is for the 4WD.
I owned a 91 K5 which was the final year of the bodystyle……4WD……It would go through snow like it was nothing…..In contrast, my 2005 Impala is the worst vehicle I have ever owned as far as traction in snow despite it being front wheel drive.
As far as a 2WD K5 Blazer, I would rather have it in Suburban form if 2WD……My Dad had a 73 Suburban 2WD and had a set of Firestone Town and Country Winter tires for the rear and that truck had no trouble in snow……The weight distribution over the rear axle combined with the winter tires made it a good vehicle in snow.
I would rather have a Ford Bronco. I remember they rusted and the doors would sag and fall off and they were noisy and well less reliable than a Ford. My friend Ralph had one he loved it. It was dark green with green velour seats. It was. Rusty and beat up with sagging doors ans had a Smokey 350 . We did a lot to that truck and never seemed to get ahead of the breaking or wearing out parts to do any of the cool stuff Ralph talked about doing. It broke down so much he had to get another car to get around. This car a chevette which was black on the right and white on the left as in half the car from center was white and other was black. The white side had black flames and the white had black flames. It cost 100 dollars and it never broke down Inspite of being beat on and used off road. The chevette was surprisingly tough vs the blazer.
Very rare to see a 2WD anymore, especially in nice original condition like this one. Great Time Capsule find!