There’s a difference between old vehicles and classic vehicles. Old vehicles age and fade into the past without anyone chronicling their significance or working to preserve or restore them. Classics maintain their appeal across generations of enthusiasts and are either attentively looked after as the years pass or brought back to their former glory. This 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer CST that will be crossing the block at the Barrett-Jackson 2026 Scottsdale Auction is a bona fide classic.
Introduced as a 1969 model, the original Blazer was a K10-based. body-on-frame SUV with a short wheelbase, wide tracks, and standard four-wheel drive that helped make it the “Newest Way to Go Almost Anywhere.” The second-generation “Square Body” model debuted in 1973 and lasted all the way until 1991. The third – and final – generation only spanned the 1992-1994 model years. In 1995, Chevy dropped the Blazer name in favor of Tahoe and introduced a four-door model.
There have been other vehicles known as the Blazer, such as the smaller S-10 variant of the ’80s and ’90s, and the current crossover and Blazer EV siblings, but the first two generations of the original Blazer seem to be the most popular and cherished. Even those that lived rough lives are often restored so they can be enjoyed for decades to come.
The ’72 model you see here is a great example of the Blazer’s enduring popularity. Its original body panels have been retained, but almost everything else has been updated. According to the auction listing, “The chassis and suspension components have been refinished to factory specifications.” The body was repainted in the eye-catching combination of orange and white, which is accented with fresh brightwork and woodgrain trim. When the white hardtop is off, this rig offers an open-air off-road experience on new BFGoodrich KO2s; when the hardtop is on, it keeps out the elements thanks to replacement weatherstripping.
The cabin is a wonderful mix of colors. Fresh ivory vinyl covers the seats and door panel inserts, and makes the brown of the new carpeting look that much richer. A brown pad tops the orange dashboard, which is flanked by the matching door panel uppers. As if that combination wasn’t attractive enough, the two-spoke steering wheel is a caramel tan, giving this Blazer a flourish that’s both visual and tactile.
Not only has the 350ci V8 under the hood been rebuilt, but it’s also been upgraded and modernized. Instead of a carburetor, it now has a Holley Sniper EFI system. Accessory features draw power from a serpentine belt setup. The engine delivers its output to the road or trail through a three-speed automatic and a dual-range transfer case.
Nearly 60 years after its debut, the Chevrolet Blazer is still a beloved automotive icon and a legendary off-roader. After a thorough restoration, this 1972 K5 Blazer is ready for more adventures. Are you? If so, bid on it at the Barrett-Jackson 2026 Scottsdale Auction, which takes place January 17-25. Click here to register as a bidder. Want to list your car so it can run across the auction block? Go here.
