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BLAZER: Good for the mud and for the show |
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STORY: Sebastian McKenzie
PHOTOGRAPHY: Douglas Little
The original dealership brochures for the 1972 Chevy Blazer
are your average off-road fare, instilling in potential owners
the dream of going anywhere. Whether you're coming off the corduroy
road, or heading to the office, the Chevy Blazer could do it
all.
"Chevy Blazer is the best way to get where you're going,"
promised the brochure. "Not just over an old logging road
and through two streams to get where the big fish are. But to
the office, grocery shopping, the dentist, and anywhere else
you need to go." This was back in the day when dentists
and grocery stores were still on one's mind while conquering
the unforgiving wilderness terrain.
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Reality is far different from the dream, however, especially
when you're trying to re-create that dream 30 years after the
fact, as Bryan Rintoul is trying to do with his 1972 Blazer.
"It was rough," Bryan said of his truck when he first
got it. "It needed a lot of body work. Basically, we took
the entire body off the frame and did it piece by piece. The
motor was completely cooked too."
Trying to re-create the soul of the Blazer as a daily driver,
yet still make enough changes to make it a cruiser has been
a difficult task, Rintoul said. When you're facing the choice
of dedicating your time between adding the latest cool part
and fixing that leak in the transfer case, priorities are usually
dictated by necessity. "There are certain things you don't
do when you're fixing it up to drive and show off at the same
time," Rintoul said.
The impression among many is the Blazer is something of a common
variety. Rintoul countered the 1972 model was, in fact, a rare
one. One he had his eyes on for a good number of years. "I
always wanted an old Blazer before, but was talked out of it
years ago by a friend."
After purchasing his beloved Blazer he found himself in a position
to be able to make a few modern changes to make it that much
better. "I modified the engine and transmission to a '92
drive-train," Rintoul said. "I just wanted better
fuel economy and reliability. For a 305, it has got better power
and mileage."
While the model may be rare, parts aren't. Rintoul said the
widespread availability of Chevy / GMC parts were definitely
helpful in creating the truck he has today. Fitting all those
parts together into a package that keeps the spirit of the original
Blazer alive, while still making it a ride that people notice
on the streets is a challenge that Rintoul said comes down to
know-how and a good eye.
"Everything has to fit to the point where I'm extremely
happy with the total package," Rintoul said, citing a point
where it came to one of the most important visual and functional
points on a truck.
"The smaller tires just didn't look right," Rintoul
said of his original plan to go with 32-inch rubber. "After
choosing the rims, and looking at the tires, I decided to go
with the bigger ones." Making the choice to go from 32-inch
to 34-inch tires makes the off-road aspect of the Blazer that
much more entertaining," Rintoul said.
"It's a riot with the short wheel base and it goes through
mud like crazy."
Perhaps the most striking feature of Rintoul's truck is the
paint, a job he said gets the most heads turned his way.
"The engine is the heart, but you get a lot of attention
with the paint."
With a two-tone navy blue and yellow, the colour scheme grabs
attention right away. But what keeps it there is the custom
barbwire graphics, certainly not a look that came standard back
in 1972.
But even though the paint and graphics grab the attention, it's
the hours of work on the engine and body that keep this truck's
heart beating, made even more difficult with the strains of
daily driving. Rintoul credited many for helping him along the
way. Team Graphics, G-Force Transmission, Wayne Johnston Autobody,
friend Leon and wife Keri were just a few.
MOD LIST
Interior
Custom interior with Acura Bucket Seats
Truckworks polyurethane coating on complete tub
Sony deck and Amps
3 Subs
Custom tonneau cover
Exterior
New front and rear bumper
GM grill, Rad cradle and tailgate
Navy Blue and Yellow two-tone pain with custom barbwire graphics
Engine/Drive train
305 H.O.
87 Tune Port
700R transmission
New process 205 Transfer case
Dana 44 front differential
GM 12 bolt with posi 373
Eagle alloys 15 x 10
BF Goodrich All Terrains - 12.50 x 35 x 15
Custom exhaust
6" suspension lift
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