HEART BREAKER

If you haven’t noticed, vintage Blazers and Jimmys are hotter than ghost peppers right now. It’s par for the course when the entire universe seems to be trending toward SUV-style vehicles that serve multiple purposes. Whether it’s a Jeep, Bronco, or a cute ute of some sort, folks are scooping up these extra-capacity haulers like crazy these days. And enthusiasts and shops have been busy building some of the raddest examples we’ve ever seen.

Brandon Purkiss, owner of SOCO Auto Salon in Costa Mesa, California, is no stranger to GM’s first-gen SUV. “A few years ago, I built a 1972 Blazer roadster that was just a cool driver. I thought it was time to build something that would showcase what SOCO Auto Salon was all about.” Not one to waste time talking the talk, Brandon started walking the walk. “I was looking for several months to find a clean 2 wheel drive K5. I was all over social media looking for something to pop up.” 

The search continued for what seemed to be an eternity, with no tangible results. “Somewhere along the way, I happened to see a great looking Blazer on Instagram and the color combination was perfect. To my surprise, this exact K5 popped up for sale a few months later and I bought it.” 

Having experience under his belt with his previous build, Brandon had a pretty good idea of what he was getting himself into. “I thought I was buying a great base to start building the Blazer I had been envisioning in my head. I thought to myself, ‘I’ll just do a front and rear kit to get it a little lower to the ground.’” The same words that have launched thousands of massive projects. “The next thing I know, we’re cutting this Blazer up to get it to lay body and making big plans to build something that was going to change the Blazer game.”

As with any big build, one thing leads to another, and you are into the deep end before you knew you were even in the pool. CJ Fuller at Old Anvil Speed Shop was tapped to build the custom square framed chassis that would put Brandon’s K5 on the ground. And it’s packed full of tricks from front to back. Custom front control arms with Wilwood Pro Spindles and a 4-link setup out back with a Currie 9” rear axle keep the 22” Raceline Billet wheels located. Accuair eLevel management, Ridetech shocks, Ride Rite bags control the ride, while an Ididit column and rack & pinion steering keep the K5 between the ditches. Big Wilwood 4- and 6-piston brake kits and master cylinder with hydroboost keep the stopping in check via Lokar billet pedals. Hard lines for fuel, air, and brake lines are plumbed throughout.

Between the frame rails up front, you’ll find an LSX454 with a killer Plazmaman billet intake manifold and Nick Williams 103mm throttle body. Holley’s mid-mount front accessory drive looks good and handles the engine-driven chores. A Mast Motorsports oil pan keeps the lubrication under control. A built 4L65E by Westminster Transmission is bolted to the back side of that 454 while engine and transmission functions are controlled by a Holley EFI Dominator ECU.

Things get serious in the sheetmetal department, too. Custom front and rear tubs by Old Anvil Speed Shop cover the tread at all 4 corners. Side markers, key holes, cowl, and side mirrors were all shaved from the exterior before Jose Robles at Costa Mesa Auto Body laid down the custom PPG paint. GSI billet door handles, Switch Suspension hood hinges, Xenon headlights, and LED taillights round out the bag of body tricks, while a full paint protection film wrap with ceramic coating by Ultimate Shield keeps the paint looking like new.

Inside the cockpit, the folks at Automotive Entertainment of Huntington Beach, put together a rich, upscale interior that will knock your socks off. Re-worked TMI front seats and custom rear bench are covered in Porsche Cloud Gray lether and suede upholstery and contrast perfectly with the exterior colors. The talented crew at AE scanned the entire interior and designed and printed custom interior panels  and center console, along with a custom subwoofer enclosure filled with JL Audio subs and wood floor insert to take things to the next level. A Pioneer DMH-7 touch screen was molded into the original dash along with black satin Restomod Air Quantum vents. Polk Audio component speakers fill the cabin with sound. The SPARC Triple Crown steering wheel is covered in buttery smooth leather to match the rest of the interior accoutrements.

When we first laid eyes upon Brandon’s K5 at Dino’s Git Down last fall, it was evident that this build was top notch. The exterior color is radiant and the details are executed flawlessly. Clean, classy, and – dare we say – understated. A timeless combo that is sure to look as good tomorrow as it does today.