The K5 Blazer

The Chevrolet K5 Blazer was designed by Victor (Vic) Hickey and built by General Motors. At the time GM's smallest full-size SUV was answer to the competition - the 1961 International Harvestor Scout and Ford Bronco which came out in 1965 and the Dodge Ramcharger Later followed in 1974.  Introduced to the Chevrolet line up for the 1969 model year, the K5 Blazer was not new by no means. The very first Blazer was designed and built by Vic Hickey in 1957 and was called the Trail Blazer (Hmmm ....). It was early to mid 1968 when General Motors decided to move forward with the recreational vehicle build. They gave Vic two red 1969 C10 short bed 4X4's and the green light. Did you know the K5 Blazer was NOT designed in Detroit? The K5 Blazer was designed and born right in Ventura, CA. K - 4 Wheel Drive and the 5? 5 is half of 10 in C10 and Blazer? Vic let General Motors use a part of his Trail Blazer name tag him and his father came up with. In 1970, GMC introduced its own model of the truck, called the Jimmy. The "Jimmy" name was chosen to reflect the GM. The K5 Blazer and Jimmy were available in four wheel drive and "full convertible" - removable tops.

Engine Options 

250 cu in (4.1 L) In-Line 6

292 cu in (4.8 L) In-Line 6

307 cu in (5.0 L) V8 

350 cu in (5.7 L) V8

Transmission Options

3-speed Manual

4-speed Manual

3-speed TH-350 Automatic 

Total production in 1969 was 4935, 1970 more than doubled at 11,527, 1971 hung around at 17,220 and 1972? - A whopping 44,266 total produced!

More to come as I research my notes and historic data ..... Hang tight.

California K5 was founded in 1989 in San Francisco, CA. A one stop shop for all your first generation K5 Blazer needs. 

Today California K5 is still alive and here for you. Unfortunately we no longer supply parts due to we just simply don't believe in the after market. From the distributor bullying and out of control buy ins and the quality of these parts have gone so bad. Don't get me wrong - There is good stuff out there. It's just the fishing for good stuff that gets old.

We still do buy and collect NOS and quality used parts and definitely can point you in the right direction when it comes to your restoration. We vow by our motto - Keep your GM vehicle AMERICAN