Many turbulent and beautiful things were happening worldwide back in 1969: the world was changing so fast, that there was definitely a demand for rugged and powerful vehicles to commute, work, and play with. From free-loving hippies at Berkeley and the surf breaks of Southern California to the wooded areas right here in Tennessee, America was cultivating a love affair with the outdoors, even during the most history-changing times. The very first Chevy Blazer model was the true and perfect interpretation of “Truck blended with a car”, and combined the versatility of 4-wheel-drive with convenience options such as power steering and brakes. It was a trusty vehicle that paved the way for many various updates and innovations as the years went on.
In a USA Today feature this past week, there was a cool visual spread that portrayed just how consistently awesome the Blazer was, and many of us fondly remember it as “The vehicle that drummers loved”, since the back provided ample space for gear that needed to be transported swiftly from gig to gig. The photo spread then delved quickly ahead to 1992, but we were OK with that: this is when one of our favorites, the full-size Blazer, first was available. Sporting the addition of sidesteps, this easily became the #1 favorite vehicle for many and was optimal for use in heavy weather. A choice review 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.
1992 was when the Blazer made the transition to 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 there were a few drastic improvements to the interior that made it immediately more user-friendly. The next year's model offered a 4-speed electronically controlled transmission, that closely monitored the rate of fuel injection, ignition timing, idle speed, and internal engine temperature. The 4-speed was much quieter, and there was still the presence of the 5.7-liter, 210 horsepower, V-8 under the hood. The towing rating was 7,000 pounds, and this version was introduced when consumers were beginning to switch to sport-utility vehicles as a viable alternative to the very popular luxury cars of that time.
1999 marked the introduction of the very awesome and able 4-door Blazer, and there was a limited-edition “Trailblazer' appearance package that was available as an upgrade to the LS and LT trims. Here you could now acquire gold-accented alloy rims and trim, along with some very cool upgrades to the interior and exterior. Passenger airbags were now standard, as well as headrests for the rear bench. A front grille that bore similarity to the Chevy C/K's pickup line was present to replace the older system that was made up of single-headlight, and 4-wheel disc brakes now became standard equipment.
As all of us in sales and service here at West Chevy are anxiously preparing for the release of the 2019 Blazer, we have also been fondly remembering the early S-10 Blazer from 1982: this was a sizable and sturdy model that was always ready for off-road fun, yet did not feature the same removable hardtops that their full-size counterparts at the time did. The 1.9, 2.0, and 2.2-liter types of diesel were all 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, just in time to bolster improvements to fuel economy, and overall performance. The version on deck for 2019 feels a bit more like an SUV crossover, and some may be wondering if it will offer enough bang for the buck: we can firmly attest here at West Chevy of Knoxville that after one simple test drive, you'll be ready to claim ownership to this current version of the outdoor lover's flagship getaway hybrid!
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