Rare Camper: 1976 Chevrolet Blazer Chalet
This 1976 Chevrolet Blazer w/ Chalet conversion would make a great one-person hunting or fishing rig, maybe two people if you are really friendly. Found here on eBay with a requested opening bid of $4,500, this neat vehicle is located in Portola, California. If you’ve never seen one of these vehicles or it’s been a while, check it out!
Most people are familiar with the removable tops on Blazers and Broncos, but this particular Blazer has a chalet conversion. According to Hemmings.com: “The Chalet and the Casa Grande were a collaboration between the General (Motors) and RV maker Chinook Mobilodge Inc. The camper body consisted of a fiberglass reinforced plastic body constructed over a steel frame…The open air between the cockpit of the truck and the living space of the camper made the Chalet and Casa Grande’s interior seem nearly as spacious as a small RV.” You can read more about the Chevrolet Blazer Chalet conversions here on Hemmings.com.
Here is the interior of the Blazer. The headliner obviously needs attention. The rest of the Chalet looks like it’s in pretty good shape. The driver’s side features a two-burner stove with sink along with a refrigerator. The actual driver’s seat looks like it is in decent shape with the classic 1970’s woodgrain trim.
There is seating on both the passenger’s and driver’s side, which probably folds down to a bed? Again from Hemmings.com: “Upgrading to “Option Package Two” gained buyers a refrigerator that operated on LPG or on electrical power via an auxiliary battery and an AC/DC converter…increased sleeping capacity to four with the addition of a pair of overhead bunks of questionable space and comfort.”
The engine is a 400 cubic inch displacement which is mated to an automatic transmission. Said to have about 70,000 original miles, it has supposedly been in storage for about 20 years. The ad states it runs and drives and there is quite a bit of paperwork and manuals included with the sale. There is some rust, mainly around the wheel openings and rockers, which is fairly typical of this era of Chevrolet. There are plenty of aftermarket companies that supply new sheet metal and patch panels, so rust repair won’t be much of a problem. A full re-paint is another story. What do you think? Is this project something you would tackle?
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Comments
That’s a perfect rig for my needs, two burner, sink and fridge in a rig that’s small enough to get way back where I’d want to be. Sadly it’s a long way away to check it out before bidding.
is this the same one posted not too long ago here?
Disregard…different vehicles.
Seems like a lot of these showing up lately.
With that high CG it looks like it could blow over in a light breeze.
Seems like someone could get it for a fair price, remove the camper, find a replacement top (I don’t think it’s included), and have a sweet Blazer with the larger 400 engine and all the upgrades. Fix the camper up and use it now and then to hit the lakes for fishing here in California!
From what I have read, the Blazer was modified to fit the camper. The normal top would no longer work. So, without the camper you would enjoy the breeze. Definitely a warm weather rig.
That’s true, my old man bought one like this that was rolled, but the truck was ok. The camper was too far gone, and when he had it removed, he found out the stock top wouldn’t fit. That header panel behind the seats was opened up for the camper. It really should have dual wheels on back,,,some folks found out.
they didn’t have a heater for the back, so all you got was from the factory air ducts. from the dash and from the center of the hump. I was going to put in a suburban rear heater, but never got to it. you had to really make sure the straps were pulled real tight or the top would catch the wind and be blown off before you know it… mine started commin up, so got stopped in time. I put safety hooks on the outside, to make sure it stayed latched.. i saw one, over near Cheyenne, the top got caught by the wind, so they pulled the camper off. found out the body couldn’t be fixed, so welded a pickup rear cab in place, to the floor, and took the 4wd out and lowered it down with a 2wd drivetrain. actually looked good as a stubby, unibody pickup..