1969 Chevrolet Blazer

1969 K5 Blazer

This is not a barnfind, nor was it purchased with the intention of ever selling. I am not a “flipper” of vintage automobiles. This truck was purchased for my wife, who wanted a 1969 K5 Blazer with a very specific list of options; however, we have started a family and are moving across the country, so we’ve decided to let this one go.

I am a 1967-1972 C10,C20/K10,K20 enthusiast, having owned over 20 different trucks in the past 15 years, and currently driving 6 daily. I will be transparent with this listing, everything will be disclosed to the standard in which I would want if I were purchasing a vintage automobile.

HISTORY

The K5 was assembled in St. Louis Missouri and sold new in Albuquerque New Mexico. It stayed with its original purchasing owner for 35 years until it was purchased by “Bob” in 2002. Bob was not mechanically inclined and drove the truck sparingly between maintenance issues. Carburetor, exhaust, fuel tank issues. Unfortunately, Bob was diagnosed with a terminal illness and passed away in 2004. It is estimated he drove the truck less than 500 miles in the two years of ownership. The truck was parked on his family’s property, and not moved until 2006, when the family decided to give the truck to Bob’s friend, “Sam”. At this point, the truck had racked a documented 88,150 miles, as indicated by the New Mexico title I received. I also made photo copies of the title stating the 88,150 AM ( actual mileage ). The truck was driven even less in the next 7 years because of a recurring fuel issue. With a young family and no free time, Sam listed the Blazer in May of 2013.

I was traveling from Lake Havasu, Arizona to Clovis, New Mexico to pick up a 1972 SS Nova when I stopped in Albuquerque overnight. I found the listing and purchased the K5, attached are pictures showing the K5 on a trailer during the initial purchase. Upon arriving in Clovis New Mexico, The K5 was placed inside a storage facility

In February of 2015, I flew to Clovis and had the truck shipped to NC. The truck stayed with me about a month before I found a reputable restoration facility. This is very important, because many of us have heard, or dealt with incompetent shops that have ruined projects with sub-par workmanship or care. The truck spent a little over 23 months at the restoration facility.

It is important to note that at this point, I decided to do a preservation with tasteful upgrades. Here’s why.

I examined this truck bumper to bumper and found a dozen instances of originality. Chalk markings on the firewall placed during assembly, the factory 1969 white Styrofoam mat under the original rubber matting. The original rubber matting is still under the carpet in the bed. Chalk markings on the cross member behind the gas tank, etc. Things that shouldn’t exist after 50 years of ownership. It is for this reason that the paint and interior were not touched.

-The original owner had the seats re-upholstered. Judging from the original dash pad still in the truck, the desert sun was not kind to the red vinyl interior. The upholstery work is well done, cloth over vinyl, piped and comfortable. My guess is that the owner didn’t want to deal with full vinyl seats during summer in New Mexico. The rear bench still has its original arm rests, and all of the brackets are original.

- The original steering wheel was also replaced. I searched for months to find a N.O.S or good OEM red steering wheel and didn’t find one. So I went with a 15” comfort grip 3-spoke steering wheel that would have been in a Nova, Camaro, or Chevelle.

- The door panels, window cranks, sun visors, wing windows; all appear to be original as well. The dash is uncut and gauges, switches, courtesy lights – all operate 100%.

- The paint in the cab is 100 % original. Small imperfections over decades of use are visible. These are the details I look for when purchasing a vintage automobile.

- The wear lines of a keychain dangling from the ignition caused a rubbed area.

- Scuff marks on the sill of the rocker where the door closes.

- Pedal wear, indicates true mileage on vehicle

-Knob wear

- Paint fade, especially Chevrolet trucks that were painted 513- Flame Red, and 514- Light Red have been documented to fade to a “Hugger Orange.”

- During the introduction year of the 1969 K5 Blazer, Chevrolet painted the underside of the fiberglass top the same as the exterior paint. This is a one year only option.The console still wears the original 1969 paint.

- The truck was painted 514, which is Light Red. The interior panels, dash, and doors were all painted 514, but due to oxidation, sun, and age, it has faded to various shades of orange. However, the interior pieces, meaning dash pad, seats, arm rests, and sun-visors were dyed red and still retain their original hue. The air conditioning outlets, rear view mirror base, and sun visor hardware are all molded plastic and therefore retain their color as well.

- The exterior paint is in the same sun faded condition. In the late 80’s, the original owner had the K5 painted in the same 514 paint.

- I went back and forth on completely disassembling the K5 and re-painting it frame-off, but the paint had the characteristics of a truck that had been in the desert for 30+ years. I also researched different paint options, and it would be highly difficult to emulate the natural fading of the 514 paint. The paint was buffed with compound and has a great look. There are two flaws in the body of the truck. At some point there was a Vic Hickey type swing arm spare carrier, when the truck was resprayed, they filled the bolt holes with bondo. I checked the inner quarter and you can see that the panel is rust free, and where the bondo was pushed through the bolt holes there is no indication of rust or rot. I had the inside of the quarter treated and coated. Also, there is distinct trail of cleaner discoloration on the tailgate paint. It looks like at some point of the trucks life, someone sprayed cleaner on the tire that would have been mounted on the spare carrier, causing over spray of chemicals on the tailgate discoloring it.

- The other area is the drivers side rocker, slight rusting has occurred, but the rocker was original to the truck so again it was sealed and treated. If I were to do the paint and body, I would replace the face, and not the entire rocker.

- Engine, transmission, transfer case, rears suspension.

- This was running, driving truck when purchased, however, there was sand in everything. The carburetor (original to truck), the fuel lines, and especially the fuel tank. The carburetor was rebuilt and then a remote fuel source was used to make sure the engine had compression, would idle and not leak. Then the entire drivetrain was pulled.

- The original numbers matching engine will go with the truck. Completely dressed, from air breather to oil pan. I wanted to preserve the original motor and keep the miles down on it.

- The 1969 and 1970 K5 Blazer were the only two years that came factory with drum brakes front and rear. For safety reasons, I purchased a 1972 GMC Jimmy that came factory with disc brakes in the front, the 72 Jimmy came factory with a rear 3:73 posi-traction option. Both axles were totally refurbished, with an Auburn 3:73 unit also placed in front. The original axles will go with the truck as well.

This is a rare K5. I have spoken with several experts who have authority in the subject of collectible 67-72 Chevrolet trucks. Several seem to think that it may have been a promo truck. That is an example released with options that would have appealed to would be clients. The other conclusion is that it was a special order truck. I cannot verify either one of these however, a 1969 K 5 Blazer, of which less than 5,000 were produced, being factory optioned with a 350, 4 spd, and air conditioning is exceedingly rare.

I searched for a factory 1969 K5 with A/C for eight years. I have not seen another 4spd with A/C in the last 10 years. Also the truck came with red vinyl interior. While I have seen one other Blazer red vinyl interior, it is also a very uncommon interior option.

I also put a shifter in from a Cheyenne or Sierra model, just to add a little more chrome to the interior. That is also a hard to come by piece. The original shifter will be included with the sale.

I have of $50,000 in the initial purchase, parts, and labor invested with this 1969 K5 Blazer. The reserve is substantially lower.

LIST OF MODIFICATIONS, RESTORATION, AND WORK DONE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS

- ALL NEW POLY BODY MOUNTS AND HARDWARE

- 4” FULL SUSPENSION LIFT

-NEW SET OF REFURBISHED STOCK 1972 AXLES

-NEW 3:73 UNITS IN BOTH AXLES

-ENTIRE NEW BRAKE SYSTEM, MASTER CYLINDER, BOOSTER,LINES,ROTORS, CALIPERS,SHOES, ETC

-FRESH REBUILD ON SM465, INCLUDING THROW-OUT BEARING, CLUTCH,AND FLYWHEEL

-DANA 20 TRANSFER CASE REBUILT AND SEALED

-DRIVESHAFTS BALANCED,NEW U-JOINTS

ENGINE

Part # 19332539

JEGS, engine is under a full warranty.

Truck is estimated at 380HP and 460TQ

-THIS IS A 383 STROKER, I CHOSE THIS ENGINE SPECIFICALLY FOR ITS TORQUE/HORSE POWER RATING. THIS IS NOT A HOT ROD K5, SO I OPTED FOR MORE BOTTOM END.

-4 BOLT MAIN 350

-HYDRAULIC ROLLER CAMSHAFT

-CAST IRON 64CC HEADS

-ELDEBROCK HIGH RISE INTAKE

-HOLLEY 650CFM CARBURETOR

-DAVIS UNIFIED IGNITION H.E.I. HIGH PERFORMANCE DISTRIBUTOR

-X2 POWER AGM SEALED BATTERY

-SERPENTINE BELT SET UP

-R134A CONVERSION .

-4CORE ALUMINUM RADIATOR

-NEW GAS TANK

-NEW SENDING UNIT

-NEW FUEL LINES

-NEW BUMPERS

-ALL LIGHTS INCLUDING SPOTLIGHT IN WORKING ORDER

-COMPLETE CHASSIS UNDERCOATED

-ALL SUSPENSION AND STEERING NEW AND UNDERCOATED

-CUSTOM MADE 10” RALLYE WHEELS

-35x12.50x15 FALKEN WILDPEAK A/T

-ENGINE BAY, INNER FENDERS, HOOD SPRINGS AND HOOD PAINTED.

The truck at the time of listing has had less than 400 miles added since 2006. The last 100 miles have been added in the last two weeks to properly break the engine in. The miles will go up, but not significantly in the next week. There are about 3 dozen other miscellaneous upgrades, but for the sake of the listing, I will take pictures of the invoices and post them also. Please call with any questions.

910-376-9740

This vehicle is for sale locally and I reserve the right to cancel the auction. The vehicle is sold where is, as is, with no warranties included. A $500 non-refundable deposit is required immediately after auction closes, full payment of balance due within 3 days. Will assist with loading of vehicle for shipping, but the original engine and axles will also need to be transported. Please call with any questions or for additional information. Good luck, and happy bidding!!!!