Chevrolet hit a home run with the 1969 K5 Blazer. Photos from www.barrett-jackson.com

Chevrolet put the “sport” in sport-utility vehicle when it introduced the 1969 K5 Blazer. This short pickup with a fiberglass shell became an instant off-road legend.

Designed as a short wheelbase truck, the 1969 K5 Blazer was available only in four-wheel drive form. The K5 Blazer was not offered in a two-wheeled drive version until 1970. There were four different power plant options: a 250ci straight six, a 292ci straight six, a 307ci V8 and the 350ci V8.

Specifically marketed as competition for the Ford Bronco, which had been released to the market in 1966, and the International Harvester Scout, both of which were targeting the Jeep CJ series. Size was the focus, and these smaller wheelbase trucks were fighting each other for superiority.

The Blazer’s instant popularity was due in large part because of the shortened pickup truck design that offered increased interior space and a lower cost of production. By 1970, the Blazer was already outselling both the Ford and the International Harvester. Almost immediately Dodge countered with their own shortened pickup with the Ramcharger and Jeep launched the Cherokee to compete with the Blazer.

Designed to compete against the Ford Bronco and International Scout, the K5 Blazer spawned an entire generation of SUVs.

Production numbers for the Blazer show that 4,935 were produced in 1969. The numbers increased to 11,527 in 1970 and by 1972 there were 44,266 Blazers built, showing the popularity of the model.

The smallest of the full-size SUVs manufactured by General Motors in the C/K truck family, the Blazer was a giant in sales. Sadly, the full-size Blazer was replaced in 1995 by the Chevrolet Tahoe. Now the K5 Blazers are highly sought after by off-roaders and collectors.