Photos by Dustin W. Johnson
If you want to know the true difference between a restoration and a restomod, ask someone to tell you a vintage vehicle he or she finds attractive, then put him or her behind the wheel of it. Unless this person is an absolute purist, you’ll probably hear complaints related to the bias-ply tires or the lack of power steering or the suspension’s rough ride. Many people want the looks of a classic, but don’t want to live with the reality of one. That’s why vehicles such as Velocity Restorations‘ version of the 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer exist: It combines the Blazer’s old-school SUV presence with modern power and conveniences.
ON PAPER
Velocity calls its Ford Bronco (one of which we reviewed here), Chevrolet K10, International Scout, and other builds “Re-Engineered Classics” for good reason. Instead of retrofitting parts here and there, the Florida-based company goes from the tires up. Each vehicle is constructed as it passes through several stages that focus on the metal, paint, engine, chassis, interior, and more.
Velocity bases the K5 Blazer on a new foundation, using a company-specific frame from Roadster Shop. Believe it or not, Chevy offered the ’72 Blazer with two-wheel drive, but Velocity equipped its rig with a Dana 44 front axle with Warn locking hubs and a Dana 66 rear end with a limited-slip differential. As part of the hardware overhaul, Velocity installs front and rear sway bars and replaces the leaf springs with Fox coilovers. Of course, it also adds larger wheels and tires, opting for a set of 18-inch rollers with 35-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain rubber. Behind those are Wilwood discs connected to a hydroboost braking system.
According to the brochure for the ’72 Blazer, Chevy’s color palette included Wheatland Yellow and Grapefruit Yellow. My test vehicle came finished in Ice White and War Bonnet Yellow, which was available on other Chevrolets: the 1971 and 1972 Corvettes. Velocity strikes a balance between going completely roof-on and totally topless by adding a “Safari” top connected to a family-style roll cage.
Power-deploying side steps ease entry to the cabin, which looks largely like it did back in the Nixon administration while providing useful upgrades in key areas. Behind the gorgeous wood-rimmed steering wheel is a set of new factory-style gauges from Dakota Digital. Black leather covers the bucket front and bench rear seats. Although the fabric roof prevents the sun from beaming straight down into the Blazer, most of the space underneath it is always open, so the Vintage Air A/C is a necessary addition. The touchscreen below the center HVAC vents has Bluetooth connectivity and provides access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Skeletonized manual-style cranks for the power windows help bottle in as much chilled air as possible or let the wind rush in completely for a more stimulating driving experience.
Under the hood, a pair of beautiful billet hinges flank an LT1 6.2-liter V8 crate engine from Chevrolet Performance Parts. Sorry, C8 Corvette Stingray fans – there’s no eight-speed dual-clutch transmission to go with that, but there is a 10L80 10-speed auto and a twin-stick, Advance Adapters Atlas dual-range transfer case that help deliver the small-block’s 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque to the road or trail.
ON PAVEMENT
After some of the personnel at Right Toyota, one of Velocity’s 13 dealers, pulled the Velocity Blazer out of the showroom, it was my turn to get behind the wheel. I knew the Blazer would turn heads. Many people are not used to seeing vehicles from the early 1970s in traffic. Then there’s the Blazer’s sheer size, which was effectively made even larger by the distinctive War Bonnet Yellow paint. Fans of the classic, full-size Blazers would definitely see it coming. Everyone would hear the K5 before it was even visible.
So how many people did I catch doing a double take as I thundered down the roads of Scottsdale, Arizona? I have no idea – I was so busy enjoying the experience (and making sure I – and everybody near me – didn’t get a scratch on my $322,400 borrowed set of wheels). The Velocity K5 Blazer was pure Americana: A big, burly, body-on-frame off-roader with a loud, powerful V8. Being able to hear the LT1 roar through Velocity’s performance exhaust while the wind blew through my hair made the drive even better. Despite all the new hardware, the Blazer’s lovable rawness and rugged charm remained undeniably intact.
To see – and hear – the Velocity Restorations 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer in action, watch my video review below.