Blazer Chalet #0661

[lowbrow454]

Work has started on the Chalet so I figured I should start a build thread too.

Backstory: My wife and I were looking for campers a few years ago, something small like an R-Pod. During this time I jokingly (not jokingly) threw out "We should get a Chalet" to which I got "You're just trying to justify buying another truck." She did like them and the more we looked the more she started to compare everything to a Chalet until she finally said "Let's get a Chalet."

After about a year of searching and a lot of help from some other owners and the Chalet Yahoo group we found #0661. This one is a '77 model Blazer with a '76 model camper from the factory (left over from previous year?) and orange instead of the typical brown. The guy who owned it is the same guy in this thread that bought 12 of these and flipped them. I shot him an email and asked in the off chance he still had any and he had this one he wanted to save for himself. He said since he hadn't done anything with it and wasn't sure he would have time to he would sell it for a take it or leave it price. After about 9 months of back and forth and sending pictures (did I mention I live in Alaska?) we decided this was the one we wanted. We probably paid more than it was worth but it was worth it to us.

The Plan: We shipped it to central Oregon where my mom and step-dad live. They have a shop and since it won't fit in our garage we decided to work on it down there and drive it back up to Alaska when we are finished. (Are they ever really finished?) We want to keep it mostly original. There is no SPID so we can only speculate what was factory from other Chalets. The engine is not original so that's fair game. We plan on doing some upgrades/updates as long as it's not taking away from what it is. Things like bumpers might get swapped out for newer stuff but originals will be kept. We want it to look "period correct" or like 1977 threw up on it. Modification and accessories to look like they came from 1977. Mickey Thompson tires, Hickey accessories, Warn 8274 or sidewinder winch, ect....

Couple before pics: First pic is the common one that is floating around the internet. Dont let the shinny paint fool you, there's a lot of mud and really crappy body work done to it. Second is one from way back and last two are from when it arrived in Oregon and we cleaned it up.