determining a good restoration blazer

[el tesoro]

Hey Folks, what makes for "good bones" for a restoration worthy '71 Blazer? Curious to hear some opinions on that.

Trying to determine what a good plan would be for mine and how much to do to it.
It is a '71 Green on Green CST with factory air. Currently has a period similar 350 in it. No clue if it is a matching numbers. Has original seats that have already been redone.
I will post pics later.

Personally, I like the more original look.

Any shops in Georgia to recommend to do the work?

[HO455]

You've wandered into the Suburban and Panel and while there lots of intelligent and experienced folks here, you may find more information if you ask a moderator to move your post to the Blazer section.
Good luck with your project.

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by el tesoro

Hey Folks, what makes for "good bones" for a restoration worthy '71 Blazer? Curious to hear some opinions on that.

Trying to determine what a good plan would be for mine and how much to do to it.
It is a '71 Green on Green CST with factory air. Currently has a period similar 350 in it. No clue if it is a matching numbers. Has original seats that have already been redone.
I will post pics later.

Personally, I like the more original look.

Any shops in Georgia to recommend to do the work?

Good bones? Anything can be restored as long as you have deep pockets.
As far as opinions, you will get many different ones, but if you can't do the work yourself, sell it as is and buy one already done. It will be a lot easier and cheaper in the long run.
As far as the drive train, scrap the 350 and use a late model LS based drive train. It will be way more enjoyable to drive, will get double the mileage and double the power and you wont choke the guy driving behind you with exhaust fumes.
That's my opinion, and of course it will be one of many.
Good luck any way you go and we will be more than happy to help if we can.

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by el tesoro

Hey Folks, what makes for "good bones" for a restoration worthy '71 Blazer? Curious to hear some opinions on that.

Trying to determine what a good plan would be for mine and how much to do to it.
It is a '71 Green on Green CST with factory air. Currently has a period similar 350 in it. No clue if it is a matching numbers. Has original seats that have already been redone.
I will post pics later.

Personally, I like the more original look.

Any shops in Georgia to recommend to do the work?

At this point, I'd have to say any blazer you find with a good title and vin. Almost everything on a blazer is repopped and almost anything that needs to be done on a blazer has been done by someone on this site.

Good luck, Rg

[truckster]

There's no such thing as a "matching numbers" Blazer.

As far as a good starting point, I prefer to do mechanical work as opposed to body work, so I try to find the best body I can and go from there.

But Blazers are getting harder to find, so if you have one in half-decent shape, it's probably a good starting point.

[DeadheadNM]

For a restoration (as opposed to a rebuild) having original seats, a complete set of seat belts, and a decent hatch/top are big pluses. For your CST having OE stainless trim for the windshield is a small but helpful bit.

Here's one thread on the numbers matching question: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=751844

[Tom Vogel]

[QUOTE=truckster;9030825]There's no such thing as a "matching numbers" Blazer.


Sure there is... but who cares. Theses aren't Corvettes. The high dollar ones at the auctions are not numbers matching. Thank goodness, these trucks are more like tri-five Chevys. Good upgrades increase their value.

[truckster]

[quote=Tom Vogel;9034458]

Originally Posted by truckster

There's no such thing as a "matching numbers" Blazer.


Sure there is... but who cares. Theses aren't Corvettes. The high dollar ones at the auctions are not numbers matching. Thank goodness, these trucks are more like tri-five Chevys. Good upgrades increase their value.

The best you can do is a date code that will tell you if the engine is correct for the model year. Cars like GTOs and Camaros (and Corvettes) have VINs stamped on the block - that's what people usually mean when they say "numbers matching".