Pathetic Photography: 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer – Sold?

September 13, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this Chevy Blazer “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

August 12, 2021 Update – We’re pleased to report that not only did the seller improve upon his ad by taking and adding a number of better quality pictures, of his very yellow K5 Blazer, he also proceeded to lower his asking price by a very significant $7,000 to land at the revised price of $38,000.  We’ve added the new pictures to the carousel.

If you haven’t been following the prices of vintage SUVs recently, you’re probably looking at the $45,000 asking price of this 38K original mile 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer originally listed in August 2021 on Craigslist near Hartford, Connecticut, and wondering why we’re not giving this one our latest “NEW!” (short for “No Effin Way!) pricing award. Like it or not, first-generation K5 Blazers are just as hot as Ford Broncos these days. Comparing the $38K ask (down from the original $45K) against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool reveals the private seller has their K5 now priced between this guide’s #4 “Fair” estimate of $20,200 and its #3 “Good” appraisal of $43,300.  Interestingly, the Collector Car Market Review Online Tool has not caught up with hype just yet as the asking price exceeds this guide’s #1 “Excellent” estimate of $37,000 by one thousand dollars.

The original K5 was a short wheelbase truck. It was available in 1969 model year as four-wheel-drive only; for 1970, a two-wheel-drive model was offered. There were four choices for power plants: the 250 straight-6, the 292 straight-6, the 307 V8, and the 350 V8.

Chevrolet launched their new K5 Blazer for the 1969 model year. Essentially a short-wheelbase version of the C10 pickup. Chevrolet designed and marketed the Blazer to compete with the International Harvester Scout and the Ford Bronco. Both of these were originally aimed at the short Jeep CJ series, which were much smaller than other trucks. The innovation of the Blazer was to simply offer a shortened pickup truck, which both increased interior space and lowered the cost of production with a shared platform. The Blazer quickly became popular as it married the off-road capabilities of the Scout with the “luxury” features like air conditioning and automatic transmissions routinely available on pickup trucks. By its second year, the Blazer started outselling both of its older rivals.

The four-wheel-drive was the only version available in 1969 and it featured a solid front axle and used leaf springs front and rear. Early Blazers also relied on drum brakes at all four corners until 1971, when the entire GM light truck line received standard front discs. There was also a choice between a three-speed automatic transmission Turbo Hydromatic (TH350), a three-speed manual transmission, and a four-speed Synchromesh (SM465) manual transmission, often referred to as the “granny gear” due to its 6.55:1 low first gear. Two transfer cases were offered: the Dana 20, available only with the manual transmissions, or the NP-205, available with both types of transmissions. The Blazer featured eight inches of ground clearance and an approach angle of thirty-five degrees.

The AC Delco Connect YouTube Channel features this Chevrolet TV commercial launching the new Blazer:

Photography tip: First, unless they are included as part of the sale, if you’re going to ask big money for your vintage SUV, take pictures without your significant sitting in it. Second, take the time to walk outside and photograph your SUV; do not do it from inside your living room. Despite the horrible limited pictures provided, the fact this Blazer has only 38K original miles and is rust-free is what sells itself.  Candidly, we would immediately lower the suspension back down to less ridiculous height and then drive it to our body shop of choice to have this Blazer receive a quality paint job. Doing both of those things would easily have this Blazer worth at least $60,000 in today’s strong SUV market.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Serious Inquiries Only
1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer
Original & Rust Free
38,000 Miles
350 V8 Engine
SM465 Manual Transmission
NP205 Transfer Case
Black Hardtop Included
3.73 Gears
6” Superlift Softride Suspension
35” Nitto Tires”

Restore or drive as-is: what would you do with this K5 Blazer?  Comment below and let us know!