Pick of the Day: The other Big-3 vintage SUV

Jeep’s Wagoneer and Cherokee, and Ford’s Bronco might draw the most attention these days when it comes to 1970s sport utility vehicles, but don’t overlook the Chevrolet Blazer when it comes to a fully capable vintage SUV.

“I bought this Blazer two years ago and have put just over one thousand miles on it in that time,” notes the private seller advertising the Pick of the Day — a 1976 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Cheyenne 4×4 — on ClassicCars.com. “I replaced the windshield, had some leaks repaired and installed the new BFG tires, other than that, it is exactly as the following post from the St. Louis Car Museum states.”

The seller then quotes from the museum’s description of the vehicle:

“One family owned since ordered brand new! This beautifully kept 1976 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Cheyenne 4×4 was fully restored between 2011-2013 with awesome results! Powered by original, numbers matching 400ci V8 and optioned with automatic transmission, All Weather air conditioning, Cheyenne Equipment Group, Variable-Ratio power steering, power disc brakes, bucket seats, tilt column, heavy duty suspension, and so much more! 

“Competition in auto manufacturing spawned some of the greatest vehicle creations that find their way into prominent collections today. In the case of sport utility trucks, the Jeep CJ, International Harvester Scout, and Ford Bronco all had a rather strong grasp of the off-road capable truck market. That was until the full-size Chevrolet Blazer came onto the scene! Based on the standard short wheel base truck, but fitted with a larger passenger cabin, and the same host of luxury options as other Chevrolet models, these larger, more comfortable Blazers were an instant success! It remained a loyal marque for Chevrolet through 1994 with various revisions and updates over the years. 

“Today, early high-optioned original examples are desirable the world over! We are very pleased to offer this 1976 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Cheyenne 4×4 Sport Utility! Finished in Special Two-tone Grecian Bronze & white with Saddle Custom Vinyl bucket seat interior, this cosmetically restored example comes with a host of factory options! 

“Powered today by its original, numbers matching 400ci small block V8 engine and Turbo-Hydramatic transmission, it is ready to handle just about anything you can throw at it! Factory appointed equipment included air conditioning, Cheyenne Equipment Group, power front disc brakes, Variable-Ratio power steering, 4-wheel drive with Dana 44 HD front axle along with NP203 transfer case, 12-bolt rear axle, 15X8 Rally Wheels with brand new 32×11.50R-15LT BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires, chromed grill, front bucket seats with storage console, 3-person rear bench seat, dash instrumentation package, all Soft-Ray tinted glass, upgraded Custom Auto sound AM/FM/Aux radio, 31-gallon gas tank, heavy-duty suspension, front & rear seat belts, electric clock, and more! 

“Being ordered brand new from Rauscher Chevrolet Co. in Kirkwood, Missouri, it delivered on September 25th, 1975 to its only, original owners! It made its way to Deerfield Beach, FL early on and stayed in Florida through 1988. It then came back home to their St. Louis residence in St. Genevieve, MO and was used only sparingly while stored indoors. 

“At approximately 95,000 miles, it was cosmetically restored by Crown Chevrolet’s body shop in Farmington, MO in 2011-2012 to include a full repaint and received new window seals, weather stripping, chrome door handles, exterior mirrors, front grill & headlight surrounds, and front & rear bumpers. Once it arrived to the St. Louis Car Museum, we installed new interior carpet, seat upholstery & foams, dash pad, and instrumentation surround. This was all finished by 2013 along with brand new radial tires, new Sensatrack shocks (4), hood insulation, sway bar bushings, ball joint, front end alignment, all new exhaust system, completely rebuilt air conditioning system to include new polished compressor, expansion valve, new hoses, condenser, drier, and R134a conversion. 

“The car remains wonderfully solid & presentable throughout, and drives equally as well! It still retains a perfect original glove box identification sticker (now removed and kept in plastic) and factory attached metal door jamb ID tag. All original owner’s manual, delivery inspection, service booklet, maintenance schedule, all Florida registration records from 1975-1988, Missouri registration forward, and some restoration receipts are all included with the sale inside a binder.”

The seller, located in Yakima, Washington, asks $36,000 for this classic Blazer SUV showing fewer than 98,000 miles on its odometer. To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.