5 Chevy K1970 Blazer Is the One That Put the Ford Bronco in Its Place

Today the K5 name is strongly associated with Kia's sedan, but in 1970 things were very different. It was then that the full-size sports-utility car Chevrolet K5 Blazer went on sale.


It was at the top for the next 25 years until it gave way to the more famous Tahoe SUV today. What is the secret of the popularity of the Blazer and what is known about it these days?

Short story

The first copy of the Chevy K5 Blazer rolled off the assembly line in 1969, entering into competition with the Jeep CJ of the current generation at that time. Since the car was built on the K10 pickup platform, the company was able to reduce production costs. The wheelbase of the car was reduced to 2600 mm.


The SUV was created to compete with, among other things, the International Harvester Scout, which was introduced in 1960, and the Ford Bronco of 1965-1966 development. All three competitors, including the Jeep CJ mentioned above, were much smaller than Chevrolet's new product. This is one of its advantages.

The Blazer quickly became commercially successful and popular with Americans. For the first time, it combined the off-road capabilities of utilitarian cars with such “luxurious” features for those years as air conditioning and automatic transmission.

Already in 1970, the SUV surpassed competitors International Harvester Scout and Ford Bronco in terms of sales. For the latter's manufacturers, this became an incentive to produce new cars. This also influenced the appearance of the Dodge Ramcharger and Jeep Cherokee.

The Blazer's triumph continued until 1995, when it was replaced by the Chevrolet Tahoe.

First generation

The SUV came out in 1969 and was sold only with all-wheel drive and four engine options. These include two engines with in-line 6 cylinders and two more V8s with a volume of 5,0 and 5,7 liters. The car's ground clearance was an impressive 200 mm.


It was possible to choose not only the internal combustion engine, but also the gearbox. The preferred option for most buyers was the 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic TH350 automatic transmission. In case you wanted to “twitch the handle,” two manual transmissions of the SM465 model were offered – for 3rd and 4th gears.

In 1970, a front-wheel drive version went on sale. All available first-generation trim levels were equipped with independent front suspension and drum brakes. Only two years after its release it was possible to buy a Blazer with front brake discs.

Interestingly, the SUV had two transfer case options (Dana 20 or NP-205), but the tachometer familiar to modern drivers was sold only as an additional option.

The second generation

Already in 1973, the car was extensively redesigned. So much so that we had to release the second generation separately from the first. Most units sold had all-wheel drive, although rear-wheel drive SUVs were produced until 1982.

Compared to the first generation, the updated Blazer has become 180 mm longer and has a 64 mm longer wheelbase. Later, in 1990, the car acquired ABS for the rear brakes and an electronic speedometer with a 6-digit odometer. New options also included:

✅ safe, asbestos-free brake pads
✅ brake system warning light on the instrument panel
✅ side mirrors with electric drive from the interior
✅second-row three-point shoulder belts

According to test results conducted in 1973, the K5 Blazer with a 175-horsepower V8 engine, automatic transmission and all-wheel drive accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 22,5 seconds. Fuel consumption was not surprising only to completely emotionless drivers - 24,38 l/100 km.


Until 1975, the car was equipped with a removable convertible top. In 1976, a new design with a half-cab appeared, which was used until the end of production of the car.

In second-generation models, the rear hatch glass and trunk door were combined into a single unit. This made it possible to remove the glass panel inside the compartment using a handle or motor. The latter was activated by a button in the luggage compartment or a switch on the dashboard.

The glass panel was large and heavy. The handle gears wore out too quickly, and the electric drive motor was prone to frequent overheating and subsequent rapid failure.

And what does Steve McQueen have to do with it?

Today, quite a lot of 5 Chevrolet K1970 Blazer SUVs of varying degrees of integrity have been preserved in the world. But there is a copy that can be called exclusive. The car of Steve McQueen, an American film actor, car and motorcycle racer, recently appeared at auction.

The Blazer ordered by the celebrity not only belonged to him, but was also customized specifically for him. At a minimum, the car was prepared to compete in the Baja 1000, an annual Mexican off-road race that is considered one of the most prestigious in its class.


Unfortunately for McQueen, the run was unsuccessful, and his K5 Blazer was on the verge of total destruction. Fortunately, there was a man, Bob Bianchi, who bought the car in 1971 for only $1800. In today's money this is about 14000 USD or 1,29 million rubles at the exchange rate.

The restored copy was used in 1972 for a journey of more than 20000 km. The Bianchi family then used the SUV as a daily driver until 2002. After that, the car was transported to California and was driven out of the garage only on weekends.

Interestingly, the new owner of the Blazer did not even know that this particular car had previously belonged to Steve McQueen. The car was not purchased directly from him, and the buyer simply did not inquire about the history of the SUV before the purchase. Fortunately, the truth is now known to everyone.

An exclusive 5 Chevrolet K1970 Blazer is up for auction at Mecum's Indy 2024 on May 17, when we'll find out how much the car will fetch. Now her odometer shows just over 130000 km. Despite the high mileage, the car has been perfectly preserved to this day.

How much does the K5 Blazer cost now?

Thanks to American auction sites, we can trace the dynamics of prices for an SUV since 2020 – the moment when, in principle, such statistics began to be kept regarding the Blazer.

Thus, over the past four years, the most expensive copy was sold for 275000 US dollars or 25,3 million rubles at the current exchange rate. The white body, almost perfect condition in terms of technology and paint are the main reasons for such commercial success. Now it is cutting somewhere across the expanses of Arizona.


The cheapest K5 Blazer SUV went to a new buyer for only 17700 US dollars or 1,633 million rubles. The car has a red body with 104000 km mileage and is in generally good condition.

Since 2020, 54 Blazers have been sold in North America with an average price of 81000 USD or 7,82 million rubles. About two-thirds of all cars sold to new buyers for less than $100000.