There was quite a lot happening worldwide back in 1969: the world was changing so fast that it was definitely going to demand rugged and powerful vehicles to work, play, and commute with. From the hippies at Berkley and the bonfire parties in Southern California to the wooded areas right here in Missouri, America still had a love affair with the outdoors, even during turbulent times. The very first Chevy Blazer model was the true interpretation of “Truck meets car”, and combined the versatility of 4-wheel-drive with convenience options such as power steering and brakes, and was groundbreaking in that it paved the way for many various innovations as the years went on.
In a USA Today feature over this past week, there was a visual spread that showed just how awesome and iconic the Blazer was, and many of us fondly remember it as “the vehicle that drummers loved”, since the back provided so much space for the gear that needed to be transported swiftly from gig to gig. The USA Today photo spread then went straight to 1992, but we were OK with that: this is when the super-cool full-size Blazer went on sale. With the addition of sidesteps, this easily became the #1 favorite vehicle for many, and was optimum for use in heavy weather. Reviews on Cars.com deemed it as “Dependable, comfortable, and fun”, and it was a symbol of not only rugged American pride, but the ability to jump off-road at the drop of a hat.
During 1992 was when the Blazer made the switch to the platform as the full-size C/K pickup, and it was forever streamlined. Square edges were rounded off, large expanses of tinted glass were brought in, and the interior had several drastic improvements that made it immediately more user-friendly. The 1993 model offered a 4-speed electronically controlled transmission, that closely monitored the rate of fuel injection, ignition timing, idle speed, and even internal engine temperature. The 4-speed was much quieter, and there was still the 5.7-liter, 210 horsepower, V-8 under the hood. Then sporting a towing rating of 7,000 pounds, this version came out when consumers were beginning to turn to sport-utility vehicles as a viable alternative to luxury cars.
1999 saw the very awesome and able 4-door Blazer hit the dealers, and there was a limited-edition “Trailblazer” appearance package that was available as an upgrade to the LT and LS trims. Here you could snag gold-accented alloy rims and trim, along with several interior/exterior modifications and upgrades. Passenger airbags were now standard, as well as headrests for the rear bench. A front grille that was similar to the Chevrolet C/K pickup's line was on deck to replace the older system that was made up of single-headlights, and 4-wheel disc brakes become standard equipment.
As we are all anxiously preparing for the release of the 2019 Blazer, we have also been fondly looking back at the early S-10 Blazer from 1982: They were sizable and menacing, and did not feature removable hardtops like their full-size cousins at the time did. The 1.9, 2.0 , and 2.2 -liter diesel were discontinued after 1985, then being replaced by the larger 2.5-liter engine. The V6 was equipped with a throttle-body fuel injection system for 1986, in order to bolster improvements to fuel economy and overall performance. With the newest version feeling a bit more like an SUV-crossover and not as much of a raw contender as its predecessors, some are wondering if it will offer bang for the buck: we can firmly attest here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse that after one simple test drive, you'll be ready to own this current version of the outdoor lover's flagship getaway hybrid!