We all know that custom rides aren’t built over night. And most of us know that custom rides aren’t built in six months. But Mike King of Seymour, Indiana, didn’t let this knowledge bother him. After many sleepless nights--nine months of them to be exact--Mike saw his 1970 Chevy Blazer become a reality. More important, his Blazer became a reality of innovation in the extensive body mods that grace the entire vehicle.
Mike began his venture with a custom Art Morrison box frame, which he modified further to match his vision. After mating the frame to the 1970 Blazer body, Mike acquired the necessary drivetrain and suspension components to slam it nearly 14 inches all around. An independent front suspension was chosen, and Mustang II spindles were installed with Air Ride Technologies airbags and K YB shocks. A Ford 9-inch took over the rear and was joined by Air Ride Technologies’ bags and KYB shocks.
paragraph> Mike selected 17x8 and 17x10 American Racing Torque Thrust II wheels for the front and rear, respectively, and used BFGoodrich ZR rubber to wrap ’em. With the assistance of Steve Allen of Bedford, Indiana, the bed and wheel tubs of the Blazer were cut and raised to clear the frame, and crossbars were welded in to support the custom-molded steel bedcover. The cover was continued into the cab area and between the seats, where it functions as the custom console. With all the bare metal in place, the windshield was laid back and chopped, and a metal dash assembly was pulled from a 1960 Chevy Impala and appropriately installed. The door and tailgate handles were smoothed, and the doors themselves were chopped and capped, rendering the Blazer topless and windowless, i.e., a full-time convertible.
A Mar-K steel roll pan was installed out back, and Mike used the stock grille and bumper up front. A trip to Allen’s Auto Center in Bedford led to the sano paint design by Steve Allen, which was achieved with a custom PPG mix called King Red. Paint was spread throughout the interior and over the exterior of the Blazer as well as in the engine compartment.
No corners had been cut up to that point, so Mike applied the same standard of quality to the engine bay and dropped in a Chevy 406 small-block outfitted with a Clay Smith cam, an Edelbrock Performer intake, a Holley carb, HPC headers, Street & Performance air cleaner and valve covers, a Flowmaster 2-1/4-inch exhaust system, an MSD pointless ignition, and a Summit oil pan. The engine was linked to a Chevy TH700R4 tranny outfitted with a B&M shift kit and a Lokar shifter, and a driveshaft was fabricated by Denny’s Custom Driveshaft.
With the bright red Chevy slammed all the way to Hades, and the engine bursting with enough horsies to drive it out again, Mike started in on the interior. Tea’s Design bucket seats were covered in tan tweed by Brian Barlow of Bedford, who also treated the door panels and carpet to some of the same. An array of Auto Meter gauges filled the dash along with an Alpine head unit that pumps through an Alpine amplifier and Boston Acoustic speakers. Driver control is courtesy of a Billet Specialties Classic steering wheel.
Mike has probably shattered more than a few perceptions that he was crazy for doing what he did to his vehicle, but he also created some body-mod innovations that we’re sure to see more of. What did he learn in the process of building his pristine Blazer? He says "anything is possible."
We’d have to agree with him on that one.