A vehicle expert I am not, but I was a great fan of the Ford Bronco (1965-1996) and the Chevy Blazer of the 1970s!
In my memory, the Bronco began as a type of compact Sport Utility Vehicle and became in the ‘70s a rough and tough “full SUV” along the lines of a “closed-in” full-sized pick-up truck. Then in the ‘80s and ‘90s it became the Bronco II and moved back down in size closer to an SUV version of a smaller pick-up, such as a Ranger! And then, slowly but surely, the Explorer took over its place in the market. And now, I read that the Bronco SUV is coming back as a “mid-sized” competitor to Jeep Wranglers and others of that size.
My best memory of an “older” Bronco took place at my Cedar Creek acreage in the early 1980s when I used my Brother-in-Law Bob’s to pull my cabin on skids, and not a small one either, from one side of my land to the other. I was amazed at its pulling power—and also its lack of gasoline usage efficiency. But I did not care; I saved a “fortune” moving the cabin with the help of my Dad—and Bob’s Bronco!
And, the past few weeks I have been hearing the CHEVY TRAILBLAZER for 2021 being heavily touted as “better than sliced light bread,” as my Father-in-Law liked to comment when something was extra good!
I had been hearing “Trailblazer this” and “Trailblazer that” and it sounded to me as if these “folks” were thinking the TRAILBLAZER is the same thing as the original BLAZER.
It is not! The original was actually the K5 Blazer, a fullsized sport utility vehicle (SUV), brought out in 1969 to battle the Ford Bronco and others of its like, and finally replaced by the Chevy Tahoe in 1995. My Chevyloving relatives always said it was better than the Ford, and they always got an argument from my Ford-lovers.
Chevy K5 Blazers had a full-sized pick-up truck frame and had plenty of options— a removable fiberglass top, heavy duty suspension, airconditioning, power steering and brakes, push-button radio, and more! One of my relatives had one and swore that it was the strongest SUV in the world and would last forever. That would have been true if he had been a little more careful!
I believe that his was 4-wheel drive and that nothing else was available at first! This “first run” of K5 Blazers lasted just through 1972—I had to look that up!
The next K5 Blazer run lasted through ’91 and enjoyed a great following! I read that in 1976, the idea of having a fully open cabin was gone for front seat passengers, but the rest of the vehicle could still be a “convertible.” This “run” ended in 1991 after having offered
quite a few styling and performance changes through the years.
From 1983-1994, there had been a new introduction: the S10 Blazer was smaller and did not offer removable tops.
The ’92-’94 regular Blazer also did 2021 The ’92-’94 regular Blazer also did not offer a removable top and was replaced by the Yukon after 1994.
From 1995-2005, there was a Tahoe for those who did no longer want to drive the smaller SUV, the Blazer. Blazers were “no more” produced after the 2005 model!
2019: The all-new BLAZER made its debut—between the Equinox and the Traverse. It was advertised as “The standard for what an SUV should be!” An ad I viewed today says that it went on sale in January of 2019 as a mid-size cross-over SUV (CUV), and it had too many options for me is much smaller than the 2009 that was in showrooms then!” He goes on to say that the lower priced and levels of the Trailblazer appear to be favorably compared with other competitive vehicles, but that as prices increase in the line, some other makers “outgun” the Trailblazer, especially in engine power and price comparisons.
So, back to the headline: “The Trailblazer is not even the same animal as the last Chevy Trailblazer that left showrooms in 2009,” at least not according to some reviews I have read. But, I do hope to get out and take a look at many smaller SUV offerings when the old 1988 Ranger’s engine turns over for the final time! And, I am probably overly NOSTALGIC about the OLD BLAZERS and BRONCOS, since it has been quite some time since I drove or rode in either one!
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.