1972 K/5 Ronco Camper - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Bellile · 12-11-2022, 01:12 PM

This is my 1972 K/5 Blazer with Ronco Camper. The Chevrolet & GMC Dealerships would take the blazer & sierra grande to Ronco Coaches Inc. in Osseo , Minnesota and build it on the chassis. They do not come off. My Father ordered this brand new from Griesbach Chevrolet in Hortonville, Wisconsin.
Firebolt Orange V8-350 4x4 Standard with full size hub caps. I will be adding them back on this spring. The built very few of these and i bought it from my father. Family owned since new with protect-o-plate. If anyone has one of theses rigs please contact me. the cost new was $ 5500. The blazer is 5500 lbs.
When i go to car shows it draws a crowd. I will answer any questions that anyone has. Wanted to show it off to the Blazer fan base.
Paul H. Bellile
Fremont, Wisconsin

**DeadheadNM** · 12-11-2022, 01:19 PM

Greetings from Eau Claire and thanks for posting. Great story - would love to see more photos when possible.

**tim71** · 12-11-2022, 01:44 PM

Very nice, yea more pictures.

CG · 12-11-2022, 02:00 PM

I think we have two other very nice member examples of this style Blazer on the board. A blue one and a dark (olive?) green one. Great story with yours!

**Thealien** · 12-12-2022, 09:02 AM

Very nice thanks for sharing your Blazer and your story.

**72ironmike** · 12-12-2022, 02:12 PM

As of right now, that is one of my favorite Blazers !

**Yukon Jack** · 12-16-2022, 04:23 PM

That is so cool!!!

**truckster** · 12-16-2022, 06:45 PM

That's a very, very nice truck, but...

...no removable top?

ngnaz · 12-26-2022, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckster

That's a very, very nice truck, but...

...no removable top?

There are plenty of those. This is unique. I have a 77 Blazer Chalet. The idea was obviously good enough that GM decided to offer it as a factory build for a short time.

**Gary 70 Jimmy** · 12-26-2022, 07:47 PM

That is really nice would like to see more pictures of the inside. I have a four-wheel camper on a 1972 jimmy.

best view · 01-01-2023, 09:26 AM

More pics

**Ironhorse** · 01-01-2023, 07:23 PM

Bellile, That is a really cool looking rig there. Never seen such that was afixed to the body and not removable. And to that point, never have seen a real Blazer Chalet, have heard of them but never actually seen one. Love to see some interior pics if you would post them.

ngnaz, I have a couple original '77 dealership brochures that mention the Blazer Chalet and show some info on them but again, have never seen one live and up close,

Would have loved to have had one back when I was younger and doing a lot of pheasant and duck hunting. Would have been very handy to have had one at the time. If you might have an interest in either of the brochures shoot me a PM, I could probably let them go as I'm pretty sure I will never own a Blazer Chalet, LOL

Bellile · 01-02-2023, 01:58 PM

Hello From Wisconsin. This unit is not a blazer chalet. Chinook Mobilelodge built apprx. 1500 of the blazer chalet in 1976-1977. These blazers and sierra grande jimmys were taken from the dealerships in 1972 only and sent to Ronco Coaches Inc. in Osseo, Minnesota. Mine was the only one sent from Griesbach Chevrolet. It is unknown how many of these were built. If you have any information fron Ronco Coaches., please let me know. I have pictures of the interior and will post soon. We kept the the same as 1972. Thanks for enjoying my Blazer.

**truckster** · 01-03-2023, 01:48 PM

That rig must have spent most of its life in a garage. It's as clean as any I've seen.

Bellile · 01-03-2023, 10:42 PM

It has been garaged since new. I recently got it out of storage last year. I had it parked for 14 years after i bought it from him. I am thankful that he didnt sell it long ago. It is amazing how people react when i bring it to car shows. its a conversation piece to say the least. I showed it off at the IOLA Car Show this year, The largest car show in the midwest. It will stay in the family. Glad you like it.

Paul

**too much stuff** · 01-04-2023, 08:35 PM

Just wondering if you can verify the "1972 only" that these were done? My 70 jimmy is "supposedly" the first jimmy sold in MN according to the previuos owner, but not sure when the camper was added.
I must have missed yours at iola, but i wasn't in the car show much...

Bellile · 01-05-2023, 06:58 PM

After conferring with my dad who ordered it new. Jerry Griesbach, Owner Of Griesbach Chevrolet Of Hortonville, Wisconsin told my dad the K/5 Blazer Or the GMC Jimmy could be sent to Ronco Coaches Inc., and they would build the camper on the chassis. There was another green 1972 GMC Jimmy sold in The appleton-neenah area . My dad talked to him once. I am trying to confirm that 1972 is the only year Ronco Built this unit. Of the 3 vehicles that i know of ,
1 K/5 Blazer and 2 Green GMC Jimmys are the only ones that i know. I have a Brochure from Ronco that I will post soon. I did some checking and what i found out is Ronco was only in business from 1965 to 1972-75. It has been extremely difficult to find information on Ronco, but im working on it. according to the people that i have talked to they have never seen this camper on a 1969 to 1971 Blazer Or Jimmy. Not sure if they built this camper on a full size truck either. I will share any information that i have. Would like to talk to another owner of one. Thanks for asking about it. Any information that i find out i will share on this forum. Paul

Bellile · 01-05-2023, 07:06 PM

I will be at The IOLA car show 2023 with my Blazer. Please look my up in the modified section by the north building. I will be there Thursday & Friday. I will also be showing it at some local shows also.

12-11-2022, 01:12 PM	#1
Bellile Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Fremont, Wsconsin Posts: 27	1972 K/5 Ronco Camper This is my 1972 K/5 Blazer with Ronco Camper. The Chevrolet & GMC Dealerships would take the blazer & sierra grande to Ronco Coaches Inc. in Osseo , Minnesota and build it on the chassis. They do not come off. My Father ordered this brand new from Griesbach Chevrolet in Hortonville, Wisconsin. Firebolt Orange V8-350 4x4 Standard with full size hub caps. I will be adding them back on this spring. The built very few of these and i bought it from my father. Family owned since new with protect-o-plate. If anyone has one of theses rigs please contact me. the cost new was $ 5500. The blazer is 5500 lbs. When i go to car shows it draws a crowd. I will answer any questions that anyone has. Wanted to show it off to the Blazer fan base. Paul H. Bellile Fremont, Wisconsin Attached Images

12-11-2022, 01:19 PM	#2
DeadheadNM Carpe manana Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Eau Claire, WI Posts: 12,443	Re: 1972 K/5 Ronco Camper Greetings from Eau Claire and thanks for posting. Great story - would love to see more photos when possible. __________________ 1972 K5 CST Highlander Blazer: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=708547 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=528308 Members met: ORANGBLAZ, 2003 silverado, MikeCofield, BB72CHEVKT, Duncan&Son, Sameyrasmea72, THENEWMEXICAN, HotRod C/10, brianthelion02, Sport/Truck, ryanroo, michael bustamante, Dirt's72, Already Gone, WestButteTruck, 57taskforce, Moreyel, painterljp, AASmedic, SoCoC10, Lumaestas, carbuff382, Chevyland

12-11-2022, 01:44 PM	#3
tim71 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Brownsburg, IN Posts: 1,103	Re: 1972 K/5 Ronco Camper Very nice, yea more pictures. __________________ 1972 Blazer Highlander 1971 GMC K1500 SWB (sold) 2004 Corvette Z06 CE

12-11-2022, 02:00 PM	#4
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 20,019	Re: 1972 K/5 Ronco Camper I think we have two other very nice member examples of this style Blazer on the board. A blue one and a dark (olive?) green one. Great story with yours! __________________ … … … … … … … … ... … … … … … … … … … … …

12-12-2022, 09:02 AM	#5
Thealien Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pine Ridge Florida Posts: 4,134	Re: 1972 K/5 Ronco Camper Very nice thanks for sharing your Blazer and your story. __________________ Click on my Not really a build thread, yet NOT SO RUST FREE RUST FREE BLAZER LS ENGINE SWAP INFORMATION THREAD BOLT RESTORATIONS 4l60 to an NP205

12-12-2022, 02:12 PM	#6
72ironmike Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Olathe KS (Greater Kansas City MO Area) Posts: 2,056	Re: 1972 K/5 Ronco Camper As of right now, that is one of my favorite Blazers !

12-16-2022, 04:23 PM	#7
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	Re: 1972 K/5 Ronco Camper That is so cool!!! __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

12-16-2022, 06:45 PM	#8
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,976	Re: 1972 K/5 Ronco Camper That's a very, very nice truck, but... ...no removable top? __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

12-26-2022, 07:47 PM	#10
Gary 70 Jimmy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Burghill, Ohio 44404 Posts: 3,401	Re: 1972 K/5 Ronco Camper That is really nice would like to see more pictures of the inside. I have a four-wheel camper on a 1972 jimmy. __________________ 1972 GMC Jimmy 1/2 4X4 4wheel camper 1970 GMC Jimmy 1/2 4X4 350 1969 Chevy Blazer 1/2 4X4 307 1967 chevy LWB 3/4 396

01-01-2023, 09:26 AM	#11
best view Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: newbury new hampsire Posts: 2,150	Re: 1972 K/5 Ronco Camper More pics

01-01-2023, 07:23 PM	#12
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,294	Re: 1972 K/5 Ronco Camper Bellile, That is a really cool looking rig there. Never seen such that was afixed to the body and not removable. And to that point, never have seen a real Blazer Chalet, have heard of them but never actually seen one. Love to see some interior pics if you would post them. ngnaz, I have a couple original '77 dealership brochures that mention the Blazer Chalet and show some info on them but again, have never seen one live and up close, Would have loved to have had one back when I was younger and doing a lot of pheasant and duck hunting. Would have been very handy to have had one at the time. If you might have an interest in either of the brochures shoot me a PM, I could probably let them go as I'm pretty sure I will never own a Blazer Chalet, LOL __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

01-02-2023, 01:58 PM	#13
Bellile Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Fremont, Wsconsin Posts: 27	Re: 1972 K/5 Ronco Camper Hello From Wisconsin. This unit is not a blazer chalet. Chinook Mobilelodge built apprx. 1500 of the blazer chalet in 1976-1977. These blazers and sierra grande jimmys were taken from the dealerships in 1972 only and sent to Ronco Coaches Inc. in Osseo, Minnesota. Mine was the only one sent from Griesbach Chevrolet. It is unknown how many of these were built. If you have any information fron Ronco Coaches., please let me know. I have pictures of the interior and will post soon. We kept the the same as 1972. Thanks for enjoying my Blazer.

01-03-2023, 01:48 PM	#14
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,976	Re: 1972 K/5 Ronco Camper That rig must have spent most of its life in a garage. It's as clean as any I've seen. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

01-03-2023, 10:42 PM	#15
Bellile Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Fremont, Wsconsin Posts: 27	Re: 1972 K/5 Ronco Camper It has been garaged since new. I recently got it out of storage last year. I had it parked for 14 years after i bought it from him. I am thankful that he didnt sell it long ago. It is amazing how people react when i bring it to car shows. its a conversation piece to say the least. I showed it off at the IOLA Car Show this year, The largest car show in the midwest. It will stay in the family. Glad you like it. Paul

01-04-2023, 08:35 PM	#16
too much stuff Roadtrip! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids MN Posts: 13,786	Re: 1972 K/5 Ronco Camper Just wondering if you can verify the "1972 only" that these were done? My 70 jimmy is "supposedly" the first jimmy sold in MN according to the previuos owner, but not sure when the camper was added. I must have missed yours at iola, but i wasn't in the car show much... __________________ 67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto



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01-05-2023, 06:58 PM	#17
Bellile Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Fremont, Wsconsin Posts: 27	Re: 1972 K/5 Ronco Camper After conferring with my dad who ordered it new. Jerry Griesbach, Owner Of Griesbach Chevrolet Of Hortonville, Wisconsin told my dad the K/5 Blazer Or the GMC Jimmy could be sent to Ronco Coaches Inc., and they would build the camper on the chassis. There was another green 1972 GMC Jimmy sold in The appleton-neenah area . My dad talked to him once. I am trying to confirm that 1972 is the only year Ronco Built this unit. Of the 3 vehicles that i know of , 1 K/5 Blazer and 2 Green GMC Jimmys are the only ones that i know. I have a Brochure from Ronco that I will post soon. I did some checking and what i found out is Ronco was only in business from 1965 to 1972-75. It has been extremely difficult to find information on Ronco, but im working on it. according to the people that i have talked to they have never seen this camper on a 1969 to 1971 Blazer Or Jimmy. Not sure if they built this camper on a full size truck either. I will share any information that i have. Would like to talk to another owner of one. Thanks for asking about it. Any information that i find out i will share on this forum. Paul

01-05-2023, 07:06 PM	#18
Bellile Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Fremont, Wsconsin Posts: 27	Re: 1972 K/5 Ronco Camper I will be at The IOLA car show 2023 with my Blazer. Please look my up in the modified section by the north building. I will be there Thursday & Friday. I will also be showing it at some local shows also.

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