The Chevrolet K5 Blazer was introduced in 1969 as a full-size SUV. The K5 was originally a short wheelbase truck, and the Blazer was based on it to take on the Ford Bronco and the Jeep CJ Series, in extension. The K5 Blazer was on the market for over 25 years before it was replaced by the Chevy Tahoe in 1995. But, the SUV still looks as timeless and handsome as it did back then.

Recently, a first-gen 1970 K5 Blazer arrived at Bring-a-Trailer. This particular example comes with a whole lot of changes, including plastic surgery and a heart transplant as part of a major refurbishment that took place four years ago. So, would it be fair to call it a modern-day K5 Blazer?

What’s This K5 Blazer All About?

That’s because the selling owner repainted it to this shade from the original red color. The removable hardtop was also done to a matching white color. The refurbishment included some CST additions, like black and chrome tailgate and body moldings, chrome-trimmed side marker lights, as well as namesake badges on the door.

The SUV rides on 15-inch steel wheels painted in white with chrome hubcaps. They are wrapped in Bridgestone Dueler All-Terrain tires. A few replacements were also done during the refurbishment in 2016 that included passenger door skin, rocker panels, and rear cargo floor section.

The interior was refreshed as well. This K5 Blazer now comes with CST-styled patterned vinyl upholstery matching door and rear side panels, and simulated woodgrain trim on the door panels. Behind the three-spoke steering wheel are gauges for speedometer, tachometer, fuel level, battery charge, coolant temperature, manifold vacuum, and oil pressure. Apart from this, there are some other niceties like:

-* Cup holders on the center console

-* Vintage air climate control

-* AM/FM push-button radio

-* Black lap belts

What’s Under The Hood?

The original 1970 K5 Blazer came with four different engine options – 4.1- and 4.8-liter inline six-cylinder mills, and 5.0- and 5.7-liter V-8 engines. Different transmission options, like a three-speed automatic, three-speed manual, and four-speed manual were offered. There’s no mention of what powered this example, but in 2017, the owner opted for an engine swap.

This is the same engine that was offered as standard on the Camaro SS and the C6 Corvette. It is mated to a three-speed automatic and a dual-range transfer case that sends power to either the rear wheels or all the wheels.

The owner also equipped a custom dual exhaust system that features a crossover pipe behind the transfer case, and Warn manual lockers on the front axle. Here, however, it also comes with a DELS3 dress-up and a performance kit. The DELS3 kit includes:

-* Holley intake manifold

-* Holley four-barrel-style throttle body

-* Holley fuel rails and injectors

-* Valve cover adapters and early small-block valve covers

-* Relocated ignition coils

-* Drive Junky serpentine-drive accessory kit with black brackets and a black alternator

Final Thoughts

The SUV is currently in Canada and is offered on dealer consignment in Calgary, Alberta. It comes with an owner’s manual and a clean Alberta registration. At the time of writing, this 1970 Chevy K5 Blazer has the highest bid of $55,555. For a vintage SUV with so much work under the skin, the current bid amount seems very fair. It still has seven days to go, so the price could shoot up. If this SUV has garnered your interest and you end up buying it, you can shoot me a message and offer me a drive in this beauty! *Wink*