after more than a year & an unreal story

[72sbfs]

Hello again to everybody. I used to frequent is site alot when I owned my 72 short fleet, then I had an offer on it that I could not refuse so it found a new home. That was in Feb of 06.
So..... a few weeks ago I drive for 2 hrs to have a look at a 72 El Camino, which turned out to have more holes than metal. As I leave this guys house, I go to the end of the road and there is a car lot on the corner with a few interesting things on it, so i turn in. Among all of the interesting things is a 72 2wd Blazer, a little ratty but complete and other than that I really dont give it another thought. After driving back home I get to thinking about this Blazer I decide to come back to this site and do a little reading on 2wd Blazers. I had no idea they are so hard to find and so wanted.
After making a few phone calls I made that 2 hr drive again this time pulling a trailer. As it turns out this Blazer has a Goodwrench crate 350 and a factory 4 speed and runs like a top. It does need some new sheet metal but I do bodywork and paint cars for a living so its not something I am worried about. After about an hour of trying to come to what I think is a great price I drove it on my trailer and hauled her home. It is hit in the front, the grill surround is screwed up really bad, the grill is broke and the front and back bumpers are bent beyond use and the tailgate is rusted beyond repair.
That was on Sunday. On Monday, I guy I do cars for calls me and asks me if I want to go to Charlotte on Tuesday to help him look at some cars he is thinking about buying (its a 5 hour drive one way). So I say sure why not. On the way to Charlotte I tell him about this Blazer that I bought and how thrilled I am about it being 2wd. Then I almost fall out of the seat when he tells me about the 72 4wd Blazer he had a few years ago, I guy asked him if he wanted to sell it and he said he would take $200.00 for it but he wanted to keep some stuff off of it and the guy said ok. He tells me that when we get back to his house we can see what he has around. So I'm thinking maybe I will get a few cheap parts for my new toy.
Well, we get back from Charlotte at about 9pm and he goes to get a flash light and we walk around the back of his shop. There is a front and back bumper, like new, grill surround, perfect, and a tailgate without as much as a dent. Then he tells me there is a few more things in the shop, so in we go. He hands me a gauge cluster with a factory tach and he says there is one more thing and he hands me a tilt steering column. At this point I am thinking I cant afford this stuff and I should just run away with my tail between my legs. Then the room begins to spinn as he tells me to just look out for his boy when he wants to get his car painted. MAJOR SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!
And I thought I made out on the blazer. lol
Nothing better than free parts.
I got the Blazer for $1550.00, he wanted $1895.00. I think I did ok. lol
The tilt column is for an automatic so i will be looking to trade it for a manual.
Good to be back after so long.
I am posting some pics of my old ride and my new toy.
My name dont fit my ride. lol

[72armyswbtruck]

Nice Score

[Chevyman63]

WOW...is all I can say. You are one lucky man.
Congrats!

[TRUCKER-TRUCKIN']

Wow thats a good story, some guys get all the luck, nice buy too.

[LUV2XCLR8]

[vtblazer]

Yep, you stepped right in it for sure!

Cool story, thanks for sharing and welcome back.

[Burt4x4]

It is nice to here that there are some nice people out there still...see the guy didn't want your money just your friendship and trust...a good favor for a good favor...priceless
Now convert that thing into a 4x4
hahahaa
Later
Burt

[Yukon Jack]

What a great story! You sure lucked out big time!

Good luck finding a truck manual tilt column - they are fairly rare. You might consider just modifying your auto column - it is easy to do, especially for a body guy and will save you a bit of money. I modified a van auto tilt column for my 4 speed truck and sure worked out well for me.

I just can't get over the deal you just fell into - major score!

[bouncytruck]

Nice. I sure wish I could find a deal like that...

[65-72 chevytoys]

Instead of swapping or modifying that tilt column. Why not swap out the manual for an auto with OD. That combo will probably work better, especially with the new crate 350. Unless it is just not in you budget then you gotta do what you can, but that is what I would do. Nice score especially on the barter for the new parts. You gotta hook thats guys kid up now.

[Big J]

Thats awesome stuff right there.....

[kyle4381]

Another 2wd. Welcome to the club.

[Critter]

Looks like the Blazer even has a "CST" emblem on the door. Does it have A/C? That’s an INCREADIBLE find at that price!

[Pop's72]

Very Sweet!!!

[72sbfs]

It does not appear to have alot of options. The sticker inside the glove box door says 350, 4 speed, Cheyenne equipment, heavy duty front springs and thats about it. Seems like it was optioned for a work truck maybe.
The guy that owned the lot it was on said he had it for almost 2 yrs and in that time there was only 3 people look at it including me. I dont really understand that, this was on a 4 lane road with alot of trafic.
After looking it over a little better it appears to be unmolested. It still has the cast iron exhaust manifolds on it and appears to have never been repainted.
I put a 454 in my 72 truck that I had and I am thinking real hard about doing that with this Blazer and putting a th400 in also. If I do that I can use the tilt column that I have and will leave it shift on the column instead of putting a shifter on the floor.
Any idea what gears are in the rear of this thing?

[Pop's72]

I would guess 3.73, but don't quote me on it.

[Big Block]

Great deal, post more pictures.

[72CSTC5]

Dang nice score there. Welcome to the 2wd side. Keep us posted with pics.