New Member w/72 K5 blazer

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Newbie here but not new to owning Blazers (10+ years now) Can't believe it took me this long to find this great forum.

I have 72 Blazer that been sitting for the last 3 years and I'm saving up enough money by spring time to start the restoration process. Here's a little background on my K5.

Purchased back in 03 from the 2nd owner in Santa Cruz, CA. However, he only had it for a couple years in his hands. The original owner purchased this in Hollywood, California back in 1972 and it lived most of its life in Hollywood, Sunland, and Salinas, California. It did spend a few years in Pagosa Springs, CO. I was able to trace all of this bc the original owner kept all of his registration papers.

The PO owner did a really nice job restoring the interior back to original. He claims it has the original paint except for the rear side panel which was involved in an accident back in the late 70's..

After reading through a lot of the Blazer projects and builds threads, it has inspired me to do a full frame of restore. I know most blazer have some sort of cancer and I started to look around mine to see if I have any.

Questions
1.) What is the best way to determine if it really is still the original paint?
2.) Is the right rear side panel usable or am I better off replacing it (see pictures)?
3.) The floor boards look good to me, but I'm no expert, I noticed there is some some coating used in various spots. Looks like some kind of rust preventive material for possible surface rust that starting showing up. I'm curious to hear what any of you guys think?

Pictures to follow very soon.. Hopefully I can get them right the first time..

Thanks,
Mike

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Pics of the Driver side floor board

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Some interior shots

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

some more interior shots

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

some exterior shots

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Right rear side which was repainted after the accident.

[Big Block]

Most people would love to start a project with what appears to be a very original and low rust Blazer. You have a great starting point. Floors look great. When the time comes to strip the old paint off you'll have a better ideal what to do with the right rear bed side. You might be able to save it. Not having to replace the bed side will save you a lot of time and labor. Getting the body lines and door gaps to line up, are a lot of fun once you go replacing panels. Welcome to the board for NC. Looking forward to watching your build.

[Big Block]

It has desirable factory options. Tinted glass, A/C. Looks like it had the factory installed 16.5" wheels and tires that are long gone and have been replaced with 15" rally wheels. Built in Flint Mi. Other than the right rear bed side the body looks incredibly straight I like the aftermarket winch. Very nice Blazer indeed.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

The PO said the wheels came off a later 70's model blazer and I like they way they look too. The Original owner installed the winch and he cut a small rectangle into the bumper to feed the cable.. I'll try to post a picture in just a few.

I can't wait to start the build.. I have all this free time right now bc I was laid off from work a couple months ago, but no funds. Funny how you cant have both time and money.. its one or the other. I should be back to work soon and I figure by spring time I'll have enough saved up to at least begin the journey.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Pictures of the winch

[Big Block]

I lived in Los Gatos back in the late 60's. 1969 to be exact. I was 11 years old. My, how the time flies. Flew in to San Jose in 2004 and purchased a 1976 Chalet Blazer. One of about 1800 built. They built them in 76-77 only. They had a pop up camper add to them. We drove it back to NC. Kept it for a few years and sold it. Like I said before looks like you have a great Blazer to start with. I'm glad to hear you won't be out of work long. Yeah, I understand about the time and money thing. Seems that is the way it always turns out.

[Big Block]

I'm sure if you want to lose the winch, there will be plenty of guys on here who would love to take it off your hands.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Thanks, Big Block. I have some friends that live in LG.. Very nice area

I probably wont keep the winch as I wont have any use for it. I don't plan on off-roading it and am going to keep everything looking the same. Since it's not the original motor, I plan on putting in a turn key engine that I can just bolt right in.. The original owner pulled a motor out of 68 pickup and rebuilt it for this blazer.

[Big Block]

Sounds great. I have a 72 4x4 CST also and I us it like a convertible, so no off roading for me either.

[my90k5]

Nice Blazer! I love that color and was tossing around the idea of repainting mine a dark olive during my restore but decided to keep it the original Ochre. Have fun with your project and bag and label everything, lol. I ended up with about three box's of ziplock baggies of nut's and bolt's when I took mine apart, even if I'm replacing the screws I want to know what type that was used.

Good luck, I'm following this thread.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Thanks, my90k5. I love the Dark Olive, too. I would of done the same thing as you did and keep it the original color. Thanks for following, however I wont be starting the tear down until spring time next year..I cant wait!

[bouncytruck]

Very nice looking and well optioned blazer. Should be a great resto project. You should drive it and enjoy it while you're waiting to begin the resto.

[tristan]

What a beautiful survivor, I hope that I am lucky enough to find one like it someday. my90k5, here's a shout out from the FNG in the Burgh.

[70cst]

Hey 72K5CSTDarkOlive ....

Just want to say to the forums and from Ohio.

That is one ride that you have.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Thanks for the compliments guys. I'm loving all the info and help this forum provides

[Yukon Jack]

Looks great and like said above, wonderful condition to work off of.

[tinydb84]

I'm in San Jose too. I hope my next project starts off with a Blazer this nice. Good luck!

[rayray767]

Hey bro welcome to the forum .... Lots of good people here you will enjoy it . I just bought a green blazer last week from Florida it was picked up last night from a U-ship member I should have it in my driveway by Saturday. I like the green blazers and always wanted one ! I'll post some pics later. I Love these old school blazers to death my stock Pyle is getting big...lol :p
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[rayray767]

Enjoy that cool blazer you got its super nice by the way !
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[Tom Vogel]

What a Beut!