4×4 vehicles are not new. But the Blazer changed the way they were designed, with an approach that still influences the SUV market today.
By 1960, if you wanted anything that wasn’t already called 4WD Sport Utility, you had to go for a Jeep CJ. Point. Then, for the 1961 vintage, the International Harvester Company (founded 1902) presented the Scout, a vehicle as capable as the CJ but a little less rustic, with a little more comfort and space. The idea of a four-wheel drive vehicle accessible to all slowly began to gain traction. It wasn’t until 1966 that Ford launched the Bronco, also based on a specific platform, with a wheelbase of 92 inches (2.34 meters).
Photo: Chevy
When fitted standard with a 170 cubic inch (2.8 liter) 6-cylinder, the Bronco can also get a 289 cf (4.7 liter) V8. We started talking about power. After a good start (23,776 units) in the first year, sales remained subdued throughout the car’s career (peaking in 1974 at 25,824 units). With three American models offered in the same market segment (excluding English and Japanese imports), General Motors could no longer turn a blind eye.
Necessity makes law
In fact, the company has been evaluating various projects behind the scenes for several years. In the early 1960s Ed Cole, then General Manager of Chevrolet, met Vic Hickey, who had built a small 4×4 with a Chevrolet Corvair engine called the Trailblazer. Impressed by the invention, Cole bought the rights to the vehicle and the name and hired Hickey at GM. After the release of the Scout, Chevrolet began work on a similar model called the Blazer: special body, folding windshield (initially) and removable roof. The project goes far enough and was supposed to start for the 1967 vintage, but is canceled at the last minute by the accountants who didn’t believe in its profitability. But the management of the brand doesn’t want to give up, so we have to find a new approach.
Photo: Chevy
Redemption comes with the new Chevrolet pickups released for the 1967 model year, featuring more elegant styling than the models they replace. It was Paul Hitch, chief engineer at Chevrolet Trucks from 1966 to 1972, who came up with the idea of using them as a base rather than designing a specific vehicle. He simply suggests shortening them (from 115 to 104 inches wheelbase, or 2.67 meters) and installing a removable roof, like the competition. It’s a proposition that accountants love: a quick project with little engineering and a tiny tooling budget.
All in one
The Blazer was introduced to the press in January 1969 after the start of the model year and hit dealerships in April 1969. Chevrolet described it as “the new way to get almost anywhere”. The catalog adds: “You call it a second car, a pick-up truck, an all-in-one machine, all in one vehicle.” When it comes to marketing, Chevrolet relies on two aspects. First, it’s larger than its Ford, International, and Jeep competitors. Secondly, it offers more options: air conditioning, power steering and brakes, tinted windows and luxury hubcaps.
Photo: Chevy
Off-road enthusiasts can also add beefed-up suspensions, shortened final drive ratios, a limited-slip differential, an extra battery, a block heater, or beefier alternators and cooling systems. Finally, there’s the CST package (for Custom Sport Trucks), which includes special moldings, chrome hubcaps and bumpers, as well as bucket seats, a center console and the cigarette lighter. But be careful, the Blazer is far from simple luxury: the front passenger seat, the rear seat and the fiberglass roof (or a fabric top) are also options!
On the technical side, the Blazer therefore uses the chassis of the K10 vans, with the gas tank placed between the rails (instead of behind the seat). The entry-level engine is a 250 hp (4.1 liter) 6-cylinder with 155 hp. Optional V8s are 307 (5.0 liters, 200 hp) or 350 cubic inches (5.7 liters, 255 hp). The 3-speed manual transmission is standard (except on the 350 pc), while it is possible to opt for a 4-speed SM465 manual or a 3-speed TH350 automatic transmission. All Blazers are equipped with four-wheel drive. The front axle is a Dana 44 while the rear axle is a Chevrolet 12 stud. Depending on gearbox choice, the transfer case is either a Dana 20 (3 speed manual) or an NP205 (SM465 and TH350).
Due to marketing late in the vintage, Chevrolet only sold 4,935 Blazers. But GM thinks there’s a good streak.
Exponential growth
The 1970 vintage sees two major changes: the introduction of the GMC Jimmy (which is just a Blazer with a two-piece grille) and a 2WD variant. The latter inherits the axles from 2WD vans (independent front suspension and coil springs on the 4 corners instead of leaf springs). However, it will never be popular with buyers. Otherwise, the changes are in the details, including a slightly revised grid. Sales totaled 12,512 examples (including just 985 4x2s).
Photo: GMC
There were no major changes for 1971 either: new grille with square patterns, turn signals integrated into the bumper, front disc brakes, new rear drum brakes, switch to unleaded fuel (thus 10 hp less for the 6-cylinder and 5 hp for the 350 hp, but none for the 307 hp). Despite a 67-day strike in the fall of 1970, the Blazer was still produced in 18,497 units (including just 1,277 4x2s).
The American auto industry switched to net horsepower for the 1972 vintage and the numbers shown were 110 hp for the 250 hp, 135 hp for the 307 hp and 175 hp for the 350 hp. In January 1972, the Highlander Plaid aesthetic package was added (requires CST and fiber roof options). In the spring, Chevrolet introduces decal kits for its SUVs (including the Vega and El Camino) called Mod Bods. Four different versions are available for the blazer. Despite this being the last year of this generation, sales exploded to 47,623 examples (including just 3,357 4x2s). But that’s nothing, because the next model, produced from 1973 to 1991, will experience even greater success.
Photo: GMC
The competition follows
Born out of the need to produce a vehicle at low development costs, Paul Hitch’s idea served as a model for all SUVs that followed in the 1970s: Jeep released the Wagoneer-based Cherokee in 1974, the Plymouth the Trail Duster based on the D100 pickup . Finally, in 1978, Ford introduced the second generation of the Bronco based on the F-Series, laying the foundation for the SUV revolution of the 1990s.