Hugger Orange 1970 Chevrolet Blazer K5 4X4
Yes, it’s pretty cool I must admit! A second-year, 1970 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 4X4, decked out in Hugger Orange, a hue more appropriate for a Camaro, makes quite a visual statement. This example has undergone some mechanical improvements so let’s take a closer look. A resident of Fountainview, California, T.J. found the listing for this early-on two-door Chevy SUV. It’s available, here on craigslist for $55,000 (yikes!).
Many of the first-gen Blazers that I stumble across are in fairly worn condition, a sort of rode-hard and put-away wet look about themselves, but this example, other than some obvious finish fade/discoloration, is in pretty good shape. The mileage recording is 46K miles but there’s no claim of authenticity to that reading but the seller does state that the Hugger Orange finish is original. Off-roading in a 4X4 often leads to lots of crunched and bent parts but there’s no evidence of that sort of mayhem having befallen this truck – just general half-a-century wear. The exterior’s not perfect mind you, but it presents well and projects an “I’m ready to roll” vibe.
A 350 CI V8 engine supplies the go. Originally, it would have been rated at 255 gross HP but in its current state it’s considered, by the seller, to be “Bad A$$“. I’d prefer more details and less hyperbole but none is provided. It is said, however, “truck runs and drives great“. The listing further claims that new brakes have been installed and the fuel tank has been replaced. Also, an aluminum radiator helps this Chevy keep its cool. This is a row-the-gears model, courtesy of a four-speed manual gearbox.
The interior has new a new dash pad, seats, carpet, and a replacement original-style steering wheel. We’re also told that the gauges are new and a retro-style stereo system has been employed, done without cutting the dash opening. I’d say functionality is the theme of this interior.
OK, so this Blazer isn’t exactly a survivor but it’s got a lot of survivor qualities. It’s a desirable model, thanks to its 4X4 drivetrain and 350 CI engine. Common? There were less than 13K 1970 Blazers assembled so no, not rare but not common either – certainly not in the sense of say, a 1/2 ton (C-10) pickup. OK, price discussion time, $55,000!? That’s out there; talk among yourselves and let me know what you think.
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Comments
First off, really cool vehicle. However, regarding the price, I think that the seller has been watching too many episodes of “Counting Cars”.
I’d uh, take that “Bad A$$” engine assertion with a pillar of salt.
Any clown who sticks a “427” decal on the top of a small-block Chevy has either delusions of grandeur or a 350 that’s been bored and stroked to the point where the cylinder walls would be paper-thin and damage-prone.
I sincerely doubt it’s the latter, and fairly certain that cowboy here is trying to cash checks his butt can’t cover. And if he’s bald-faced lyin’/foolin’ himself about the engine I’d be pretty concerned about what other fibs he’s telling me.
$55,000 😵💫… 8 pictures that’s it!! The seller asking big bucks then give us more pictures of the undersized.. is it dual exhaust or just dump tubes. Show us the engine from the top. What kind of horsepower from this 350? What are you hiding? I like the Blazer I had a 77 Plymouth Trailduster with removable top. That why I like it. But without pics and more information its gonna be a hard sell. 🐻🇺🇸
It’s a BB chevy.Zoom in on the valve cover pass. side and you can hardly see but still make out the valve cover bolt location especially on the top theres one at front and one in the middle.You can’t see the rear one.Also the cover width gives it away.55k for something that they don’t even know what size engine let alone type is in it? Cool truck and I bet it’s a hoot to drive but too much $.Oh and hardline your fuel lines and don’t leave the fuel filter laying on the valve cover.Sheesh.
Interesting…I wonder why he specifically states that it’s a 350. I can’t get a good enough look to make a determination but if it’s a big block, you would think that would be something to crow about in the listing.
JO
Because he didn’t write up the ad I bet and whoever did is not a classic car person or has any knowledge of combustion engines.
the ’72 in today’s? this ’70? Actually a good bit different.
Altho I lub these, I got a same era bronk. I’d take the p/u.
This, or a Plymouth Trailduster or Dodge Ramcharger with the fully removable top is my dream vehicle. Much more desirable to me than a first gen Bronco, but that’s just my opinion. They drive a lot better though, more stable, better ride, etc.
I like power, but I don’t really need a big block, if it’s truly a 427. A 350 would be more than enough for me in this rig.
These K5’s are hot commodities right now. It won’t go cheap. I’d say over $40k. $55k? Who knows. You don’t see that many, so your options are a little limited if you want one of these. I saw a local one for sale a few years ago for $36k completely refurbished, paint, interior, etc. Considering that at that time you could get a brand new crew cab 4wd truck for his asking price and you’ll spend $50k or more to get a similar new truck now, he may get close to what he’s asking.
Ex and I had a similar Dodge Ramcharger with the removable top. Fun vehicle, very heavy top. Don’t get caught in a summer downpour with the top removed, which happened to us on several occasions.
I’ve helped a neighbor put the top back on his late 80’s k5, and that was fairly heavy for the two of us. Those only cover from behind the rear seat rearward. I imagine the full removable top would be quite a handful.
I know what you mean about the downpours. I got caught several times when I had my Jeep CJ 5.
Good way to get sun burn driving with your top off ACD.
Loved our ’72. It had the standard 350 with 4 barrel, 4 speed, and transfer case. Moved out pretty well. Bought new it was $4,400 which included the radio and AC in boxes thrown into the back. Got the dealer to install the radio antenna. Pretty hefty price on this one with not a lot of information to go on.
It looks like a small block to me. If Bad A$$ mean over cammed and over carbureted, no thanks. Too much weight and hardware for a high revving engine that comes on cam above 4,000.
I would rather 350 than the big block in this rig.
While everything has gone crazy moneywise, i would dump
My money on this Loooooong before the Bronco.
To me this should be worth 1/3 more than yhe bronco,
Oh and definitely would want the turbo 400, maybe the 350 4 speed in a 70 chevy worktruck but not this, maybe bigger diameter tires, and maybe not.
Don’t want to burst! anyone’s bubble but the early blazers were rust bucket’s especially the rear, which the photo shows it’s well on it way. I re fabricated the rear of my dads and with factory quarters it cost way more than the old gal worth! If the back is going the rockers and front fenders are not to far away.
Also no mention of power steering brings up a red flag, it’s a must with just the original tires saying nothing of installing som fat tires that would make it almost impossible to steer.
Good luck
Bill… Right you are. Ours lasted 8 months until the bottom rusted out of the right door. Tore the whole thing apart to put paint and undercoat on the inside of all the panels.
We had one identical to this one where I work. We called it the pumpkin. It had a plow on it and it took a lot of abuse. The company sold it to the body shop next door who still uses it to plow snow. It is no longer hugger orange since it has been owned by the body shop. It is a light blue with white top. It still looks as good as this one. The body shop owner could turn a huge profit on his investment. He bought the old pumpkin for $500.00.
This truck is not Hugger Orange, a color never applied to GM trucks. Automotive colors were not available on trucks prior to somewhere around model year 2000 or so, well into the basecoat/clearcoat era.
This was simply red, and like many of the color offerings of the “enamel era”, dated back into the thirties and forties, long before the first batch of Hugger Orange acrylic lacquer was mixed.