After 41 bids for this Restomod Chevy Blazer, the hammer finally dropped at $250,000 on Bring-A-Trailer. Yes, you heard that right, a quarter of a million dollars. SandBox Motors based out of L.A. had the initial listing up on BAT.

Dubbed the 'Watchman' this stunning resto-mod conversion was created by the Ringbrothers i.e Jim and Mike Ring, who hail from Wisconsin. Their clientele includes the likes of celebrities like Jay Leno. Here’s what makes this Blazer so special.

Overview

Resurrecting old names can be a tricky task in the automotive business. Ford has had incredible success with the Bronco, but the same can’t be said about the current Chevy Blazer, which is nothing more than a mid-size SUV.

Meanwhile, first-generation Blazers from the late 60s are now in higher demand than ever before. Dubbed the K5, these old rigs are the perfect resto-mod projects. This particular 1970 K5 Blazer has had an engine swap. The original engine was replaced by a GM LS3 V-8.

Exterior

While the end results are rather spectacular, getting it to look this way was a long and arduous process, as it is with such builds. The installation of the new V-8 wasn’t easy. In order to fit it, the Ringbrothers had to move the splash guard and extend the engine compartment towards the inside by around ten inches.

The frame also had to be completely separated from the body to fully restore it. The components added during the restoration process was made up of stuff like

- The carbon hood

- Chrome bumpers and trim (Advancing Plating, Portland, Tennessee)

- Unique door handles

- A machined gas cap

- Bespoke emblems

The side panels have been smoothed down by Jim and Mike Ring, and the wheel wells are now bigger than they were on the original vehicle. The bodywork was finally finished in this gorgeous shade of Glasurit Growler Green (MG 673.00). But, it doesn’t stop there. As you can see, the Ringbrothers fabricated a custom roll bar over which a new soft top can be stretched out.

Interior

Step inside and the theme is unmistakably retro. The seats, as well as the dashboard, are upholstered in light brown leather with green contrasting embroidery; the valance adjoining a new steering column also has a leather cover.

The door panels have patterned fabric carpeting. The aluminum doorknobs and controls were fabricated by the Ringbrothers themselves. Vintage Air's retrofitted air conditioning takes care of heating and cooling.

Dakota Digital's HDX series gauges provide information on speed, rpm, time, the voltage of the rewired electrical system, and fluid temperature behind the wheel. The digital odometer showed just 700 miles on the clock.

Kenwood provides the touchscreen infotainment system, while Kicker speakers, amplifier, and subwoofer deliver acceptable sound with little degradation due to enhanced sound insulation.

What’s Under The Hood

A 6.2-liter LS3 crate engine now lurks under the hood. This engine produces 436 hp, sending power to the rear wheels or all four wheels via a three-speed Bowler automatic.

You’ve got a new transfer case, which, by the way, continues to be powered by the original drive shafts. In the rear, a new Moser Engineering axle has been installed, and exhaust fumes are expelled to freedom via a Flowmaster stainless steel exhaust.

Other Modifications

The Ringbrothers wanted to improve not only the power output and aesthetics of the 50+-year-old SUV, but they also wanted this K5 Blazer to handle, steer, and brake better.

This saw the addition of:

- New QA1 shocks and swaybars

- Anti-roll bars

- Six-piston Baer braking system

- Warn manually locked wheel hubs

- Bronze-colored 12x18-inch HRE rims with 33-inch Grabber X3 off-road tires

To Sum It Up

It's difficult to imagine, but this Blazer has already been ridiculed. It was originally raffled off as part of a promotion last year, but the winner chose cash as an alternative. It's still hard to believe that it sold for such a huge sum of money.

Spec Sheet