1971 Chevy Blazer Custom - Breezy Blazer

We have been noticing a trend of some cool open-air Chevy/GMC Blazers of the '67-'72 variety at West Coast shows. At last year's SEMA Show in Las Vegas, we were attracted to a solid copper '71 Blazer with '67 front sheetmetal in the Dub booth, outfitted with Dub wheels. We were told there were still some final touches to be made to the vehicle. While attending the Goodguys show at Del Mar, California, we saw it in its final attire of two-tone silver and copper paint and Billet Specialties Magnitude wheels, both of which were major improvements.

When Brian Minkow walked into Alan Palmer's Custom Paint and Body shop in Camarillo, California, he had intended to have Alan and his crew perform some minor custom mods to the stock looking '71 Blazer. Alan had in the back of his creative mind an image of a sure show-stopper "Blazer Roadster." After some soul searching and persuasion, Brian gave Alan the go-ahead nod to begin the project.

The body was removed from the factory '71 Blazer frame. The framerails were completely boxed with 3/16-inch plate, then smoothed. The rear framerails received Air Ride welded-in C-notches to allow ample clearance for the rear suspension travel. To allow the truck to drop low, Alan modified all of the inner fenders by cutting a dart into each one. This allowed the wheel and tires to tuck deep into the wheelwells. Next, a removable transmission tubular crossmember was fabricated, which replaced the factory transmission and engine crossmembers. The frame was then loaded onto a trailer and delivered up the hill to Sport Trucks by Dean in Moorpark, California. After its delivery, Dean and his crew began installing an Air Ride Technologies Strong Arm control arms and 'bag system with KYB shocks. The nose was statically lowered by bolting on a pair of McGaughy's 2-inch dropped spindles. The rear suspension consists of an Air Ride Technologies two-link system that locates the GM 12-bolt posi rear end. Coast Driveline stuffed 4.10 gears and a posi-unit into the third member. Braking performance comes from a set of Baer disc brakes with 14-inch rotors with four-piston calipers. Brian's open-air cruiser rolls on a set of Billet Specialties polished aluminum Magnitude wheels, sized 20x8-1/2 up front, and 22x10 in the rear. Then, those were wrapped in Pirelli P Zero 255/30R20 front, and 295/30R22 rear rubber.