The long-deceased K5 Chevy Blazer – devout Detroit steamroller of steel construction, and 4×4 counterpart to the infamous IROC-Z Camaro. A hardtop zealot for all things honky-tonk, forever looking for a good time and the chance to throw some mud.
Built upon an underlying necessity to battle the Ford Bronco, and retained in service to combat the ever-increasing American interest in 4×4 imports, the K5 Blazer led a near record-setting 22-year lifespan. It’s a kick-ass, problem-prone, carbureted machine that to this day still receives nods of respect from those in the know. This K5 does not get said nod of approval. It receives stares in disbelief instead. And not just for its flame-filled flare, but for the fact that it is still hitting the highway.
According to the original Craigslist posting, this “fiery” Blaze-r (insert half-assed Dad joke applause here) is currently packing a recently rebuilt 454 motor and a new carburetor. Column shifting and needing new rear rubber, this K5 also reportedly features “functional” 4×4 lockers and a Posi rear end for putting power down.
While the vehicle’s owner says that the “truck is ready to run,” I still remain of strong mind that driving is believing, and that the internet can be deceiving. Which leads to perhaps the second most significant thing about this K5 Blazer, outside of its festive flame motif: both its California plates and matching smog papers are good until February 2020. While the prolonged reliability of this chassis is notoriously questionable, the fact that it meets California code and can be daily-driven ready is undeniably encouraging.
As for the profusion of flames spread across the span of this clean-titled K5 Blazer… I am sure that it has received ridiculous sums of attention over the years, and that it will someday make someone very happy. Here’s to hoping that this $7,500 K5 Blazer goes to a wealthy Billy Madison type – someone who randomly spots a posting while swiping through his phone one morning, and buys it solely for the purpose of jumping the moat surrounding his father’s estate.
