Rare Factory Camper: 1976 Chevrolet Blazer Chalet
We’ve featured several of these Blazer Chalets over the years and the rare rigs seem to be popping up for sale more often lately. Maybe it’s the nostalgia of the 1970s or just the fact that they have been rising in value? This one is #356 and is a 1976 model which can be found here on eBay with a buy-it-now price of $10,500. Check out this cool camper and see if it is the right project for you.
Even with the Blazer’s short wheelbase, the Chalet conversion is surprisingly roomy. There’s a two burner stove and sink along with a small refrigerator. I’m guessing the two couches fold down into a bed? There’s an article on Hemmings.com about the Chalet conversion. It states, “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 cab of the Blazer looks pretty good. The captain’s chairs are sporty and the wood grain is very 70’s.
The engine measures 400 cubic inches and is mated to a Turbo 400 automatic transmission. The drivetrain is four-wheel-drive and features manual locking hubs in the front. The blazer also features air conditioning, power steering, and power brakes!
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.” What do you think? Is this the perfect camper for you?
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Comments
I think Grand National when I see these now.
“Grand National”? When you SEE these now? How so? I don’t get it? It doesn’t have “400CI- Turbo 400 AT” written on the side?
Maybe they’re not that rare then.
I do like this one,not sure on the price though???
Optimistic buy-it-now price. Sold on ebay before back in 2010 — one photo and the old description still works out of that listing at this vehicle sales aggregator site page: http://www.usedcarsfsbo.com/asp/Item.asp?soldid=22859&make=chevrolet&theday=8%2F26%2F2010 . Sold for $4500 back then, no major improvements to be seen in it now. This is yet another one where the current seller says various bits of it are original when they are not. The cab seats/dinette has been reupholstered, the original main carpet would be the same color as what’s seen in the closet, and it has a non-original ’77 model year roof on it. Replacement roofs stem from what happens when owners forget to tie down the roof, and it unexpectedly pops up while they are driving down the road
For a little more detail on the Blazer Chalets I invite you to read my 2015 feature of the even rarer GMC Jimmy Casa Grande that appeared in Truck Trend. In it I have some photos of the original sales brochure in addition to some of the photos I took.
http://www.trucktrend.com/features/1508-1976-gmc-jimmy-casa-grande/
Great write-up. Seems like a great design and well engineered. I had a pop-up top Ford van in the “70s and the extra space makes a lot of difference. Perfect overnighter for weekends.
Reminds me of my ’77 GMC 3/4 ton step-side I had up until just a few years ago. That 350 ran forever… almost.
Those ThinLite interior cabin fluorescent lights with the faux wood grain strip were used on a lot of boats of the same era.
It is not a “Rare Factory Camper”, it is a conversion van. The camper was not installed in the factory, it was done by contractors. Same with the Aerocoupe.
The more I read about the Chalet it appears to me this isn’t that well thought idea as it could – common slide-in pickup campers are still a better idea as you have the option to convert your vehicle to regular use when the holiday is over. With the Chalet its owner is bound to carry about that bulky snail shell all week…
As much as I love K5s,IMO best thing to do with a Chalet would be ditch the camper and build it as a regular Blazer – probably the best thing about them would be the heavy duty driveline;as an RV hopefully they’ve also lived much more comfortable lifes than regular trucks…
Better than most that I have seen for sale!