1971 Chevy K5 Blazer

Over its long history in car production, Chevrolet has enjoyed many successes as it has created vehicles of all shapes and sizes. They have produced cars which perfectly satisfy the need for speed or look great at car shows across the country after quenching someone’s thirst for a car restoration project. Among some of the most practical models are their trucks, which allow their owners to haul everything from tools to mulch or a friend’s furniture during a big move. Of course, sometimes they just look cool, too. The 1971 Chevy K5 Blazer in many ways offered the best of both.

Among the smallest of the General Motors full-size SUVs, the Blazer lasted for years on the GM line, only to be replaced by the Tahoe in 1995. For several years, the Blazer featured a removable top, which made hauling taller loads much easier, though the removable top was only available until 1975. Its standard engine was a six-cylinder 250 cid, which churned at 4000 rpm. Three other engine options were available as well for those who desired more horsepower to help get their hauling jobs done. The 1971 K5 Blazer weighed in at nearly two tons, at 3,677 pounds.

Indeed, the Blazer was and still is a vehicle that was made for hauling, moving, and otherwise loading up with materials of all kinds. Have you ever or do you currently own a 1971 K5 Blazer? What are your favorite features? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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1960 Chevy Bel Air

When the Chevrolet Bel Air finally became a line of its own in 1953 after a few years of easing its way into the market under the Chevrolet Deluxe Styleline, it began a twenty-two year history here in the United States, though it continued on until 1980 in Canada. By the time 1960 had rolled around, the Bel Air was into its fourth generation. The model underwent many profound changes for the new generation in 1959, but few changes were made for the 1960 model year.

The “bat wing” tail fins resemble the same style as many women’s eyeglasses of the day, and the car was one of the longest of its kind. At 211 inches long, the car was almost a full foot longer than its 1957 model year predecessor. Four body styles were available: Sport Sedan, Sport Coupe, 4-door Sedan and 2-door Sedan. With a 335 horsepower rating at 5800, this classic car was a successful one, to say the least.  Still, the car was in the mid price range, making it affordable to most families with a little budgeting.

As the years ticked by, the Bel Air eventually succumbed to the ever more impressive Impala, which at the time was only slightly more expensive. The car was discontinued in the United States in 1975, and the Impala effectively replaced the model.

 

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St. Patrick’s Day In Dallas

There are a few special days throughout the year that bring people together, and on St. Patrick’s Day everyone has a touch of the Irish in them.

Certain individuals have been known to throw caution to the wind and knock back a few pints of Guinness and perhaps a glass or two of Irish whiskey even when St. Patrick’s Day falls on a weekday.

But in 2012 we are fortunate enough to be able to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on a Saturday, and if you are a classic Chevy fan who lives anywhere in the Dallas area there is a fantastic event on tap (pun intended) for you this Saturday, March 17.

Dallas Area Classic Chevys is a very active and enthusiastic classic Chevy club that has been around for over 35 years, and that type of longevity speaks volumes about the club. You know that if you attend an event that is sponsored by these folks they will do things the right way having learned from long experience.

With the above in mind, this Saturday you may want to put on your finest green and head over to the Spring Classic Chevy Show that is being held at Reliable Chevrolet in Richardson. All classic Chevy vehicles from 1955 to 1957 are more than welcome. There is no entry fee and there will be no formal judging but club sponsors will pick their favorites.

The big event is going to take place from 10 o’clock in the morning until one in the afternoon so there will be plenty of time to get your St. Patrick’s Day party on after rubbing elbows with fellow classic Chevy fans during the early part of the day.  And, make sure that you come hungry because there will be free hotdogs and beverages for all.

This is going to be a smashing event held on the perfect day and if it is at all possible for you to attend you will not be disappointed!

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There’s Nothing Like A Corvette

Without question, there have always been a lot of nice, desirable cars out there. And indeed many of them have been Chevrolets. But when you really get down to nuts and bolts, if you are looking for something sporty with power and class there is now and there has never been anything quite like the Chevy Corvette.

The Corvette is the dream car of countless Americans, and it is indeed one of the most iconic and successful nameplates that the automotive industry has ever known.

The Corvette made its debut for the 1953 model year and it is been one of the most sought-after cars on the roadways ever since. It was the brainchild of the legendary automobile designer Harley Earl, who was the chief of design at General Motors. The creation of the Corvette was the culmination of a long-time dream for Earl, who became enamored of European sports cars years before.

Originally Chevy Corvettes were churned out of the factories in Flint Michigan and the Gateway to the West, St. Louis, Missouri. At the present time Corvettes are being built in Bowling Green, Kentucky. While we are on the subject, if you are into road trips like most classic Chevy fans you may want to take the trek to Bowling Green to visit the fabulous National Corvette Museum that is located there.

The Chevy Corvette in a very real sense transcends a mere automobile. It is an ideal, something to strive toward, and when you sidle into the driver seat and turn the key in your first Corvette it is truly a magical experience, and one that many classic Chevy fans are quite familiar with.

The Corvette is of unparalleled importance in the history of American auto making and of course it is the favorite of many people who consider themselves to be aficionados of vintage Chevrolet automobiles.

 

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A Needle In A Haystack

Locating the perfect classic Chevy can sometimes feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack. You can scour the newspapers in your town and look around at certain car lots but you’re very limited when you are constrained to a particular geographic area.

After all, classic Chevy motor vehicles are so highly sought after because they are in fact difficult to find. The relative scarcity of quality old cars is what makes them so valuable and desirable.

If you have ever felt like you were never going to be able to find the car that you are looking for we have some good news for you. There is an outstanding resource on the web that all classic Chevy fan should be aware of called FossilCars.com.

This website is a marketplace for people who want to buy and sell classic and collectible motor vehicles. They list muscle cars for sale, hot rods, antique cars, pony cars, vintage trucks, and just about everything worth considering that has four wheels and some age on it.

The site is a dream come true for the automotive buyer because there are literally thousands of listings at any given time and they’re always adding new vehicles to the site. So if you are looking for a particular classic Chevy Fossil Cars is an extraordinary resource to tap into.

On the other side of the coin, if you have a classic Chevy or any classic car for sale Fossil Cars is the ideal place to list it. They get tons of traffic, they enable you to include multiple pictures, and they offer a wide range of resources that make buying a classic car online all the more attractive. These would include auto transport services, classic car insurance brokers, classic car finance companies, and classic car appraisers.

We were very impressed when we found out about the Fossil Cars website and we are certain that you will be too if you take our advice and check it out for yourself.

 

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Sacramento Classic Chevy Club

Chevrolet is synonymous with auto making in America and it has been for over a century now as it was founded all the way back in 1911.

Times have changed and historic events have come and gone, but the Chevrolet remains a constant thread and it is not going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, the 2011 statistics are in and General Motors is once again the highest selling automaker in the entire world.

When you are a classic Chevrolet fan you see the world through a particular lens that the average Joe simply can’t access. This is why it is so much fun to get together with other folks who share your passion for these incredible old cars.

One way of doing this is to attend car shows, and we are going to be letting you know about some of the car shows that are coming up that feature classic Chevys from time to time. Another way to hook up with people who love Chevys as much as you do is to join a classic Chevy club.

If you live in the greater Sacramento, California area you may want to consider joining the Sacramento Classic Chevy Club. Fans of these old cars will find themselves in hog heaven once they connect with these Northern California motor heads.

This club has a very specific focus that will appeal to many true school classic Chevy fans. It is dedicated to the preservation of 1955, 1956, and 1957 Chevys. This is the true golden era of the 50s when it comes to Chevrolet motor vehicles and there’s nothing better than learning everything there is to know about them as you bring certain specimens back to their original glory.

If this sounds like your group of guys and gals, simply swing by the Sacramento Classic Chevy Club website to learn about all they have to offer.

 

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Back To Basics With The Chevy II

World War II was a dividing line of sorts because automobile production was stalled as manufacturing facilities were used to support the war effort. After the war a fresh generation of auto making began in earnest.

The vehicles of the late 40s and the early part of the 1950s were typically big and roomy without any particular regard for fuel economy. Most drivers were males and most families were one car households, so they were manufactured with this demographic in mind.

However, as the decade wore on there became more of a demand for something smaller and more economical and as a response Chevrolet introduced the rear engine Corvair for the 1959 model year and Ford rolled out the Falcon the following year. Because of the success of the Falcon Chevrolet wanted to insert a direct competitor and they worked feverishly to design the Chevy II.

The Chevy II was a record setter for the company in terms of how fast they were able to bring it to market after beginning their design efforts. It took about 18 months for the first Chevy II to roll off the assembly lines after designers started their work.

General Motors released the Chevy II on September 29, 1961 for the 1962 model year. It was a basic compact car that was intended to provide solid transportation and it certainly served this purpose. Of the initial offerings, the Chevy II Nova convertible was the most eye-catching and Chevrolet manufactured 23,740 of these units with a price tag of just under $2500.

In 1969 the Chevy II was discontinued but the Nova name lived on as a model in its own right. The Chevy Nova is a favorite of classic Chevy fans as we all know and we will take a closer look at the Nova at another time. But it is important to remember that it all started out with the old school Chevy II.

 

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Chevrolet Is Here To Stay

As we go through life we have a lot of responsibilities and meeting them can be fun and rewarding—it doesn’t have to be a grind. A lot of people love their work and enjoy spending time with their families and this is the ideal scenario. However, it is healthy to have a hobby that you can indulge and this can add an extra dimension to your life.

Being a classic Chevrolet fan really does add something to your life that is extremely special and life-affirming. Every time you drive down the street you see things through the lens of a classic Chevy enthusiast, and this allows you to see a different picture than most people see. When you see certain Chevrolets you see history and you know facts that other people simply would not be aware of.

Going to car shows, participating in car cruises, and joining car clubs can give you something to look forward to all year around as you get together with like-minded people and learn more about the classic Chevys that you have always been so passionate about.

The Chevrolet has been around since 1911, making this year the 100th anniversary of this legendary brand. There is a lot to be excited about this year, not the least of which is the brand-new 2012 Centennial Edition Corvette. It’s a special package that is available on every flavor of 2012 Corvette that is truly a sight to see.

Some people think that a Chevrolet is just a car or a truck, but in reality it is a way of life that is stitched into the fabric of our country. When the American automakers were going through financial difficulties a few years ago it was almost impossible to wrap your head around the possibility of Chevrolet ceasing to exist.

Thankfully things are looking up and it’s a pretty good bet that in another hundred years classic Chevy fans of the future will still be able to do their thing just as we do today.

 

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The Corvair

When you consider the history of auto making in the United States the World War II era is quite significant as kind of a dividing line. Motor vehicles first appeared around the turn of the 20th century, but they were initially made by hand and as a result expensive and out of the reach of ordinary working people. This changed with the introduction of the Ford Model T in 1908.

The industry moved forward from there rapidly, but things were interrupted by World War II when factories retooled to provide resources for the war effort. After the war a new era in American automaking began, and it led to the heyday of the 1950s when gas was cheap and cars were big and largely driven by men.

Toward the end of the decade people were adding a second car to their families, more women were driving, and more people were interested in economy. Imports like the Volkswagen Beetle were hitting the streets, and Chevrolet wanted a piece of this market so they introduced the Chevy Corvair in 1959 for the 1960 model year.

The Corvair was the first compact Chevrolet, and it holds the distinction of being the only American car that was produced in large numbers that had an air cooled engine in the rear of the vehicle. Offerings included a a two-door convertible, a four-door sedan, a two-door coupe, and a station wagon. In addition to these cars there were also Corvair vans and pickups.

General Motors introduced the Corvair at the right time. They sold over a quarter of a million units during that initial model year of 1960 with the lowest base price being $1984. The Corvair remained in production through the 1960 model year and it paved the way for all of the Chevrolet compact cars that would follow.

 

A Model With Staying Power: The Chevy Impala

If you were growing up in America during the era when the American automakers were at their peak you probably started to imagine your dream first car at an early age.

As a teenager you aren’t going to be moving out of the house and into your own place for a while, so that first car represents your initial taste of true freedom. Not only do you have transportation to get yourself around, but you also have your own little domain that is yours and yours alone.

To add a personal flavor to this post I’m going to tell you that my very first car was a light blue 1970 Chevrolet Impala with a white convertible top. I got it in 1977 when I turned 17. As I recall the car had about 60,000 miles on it and it was in good shape both cosmetically and mechanically. Under the hood there was a 350 V8 with a four-barrel carburetor and I got it for $1000.

Okay so there’s a little bit about my first exposure to the car…now a bit about the history of the Impala. It made its debut for the 1958 model year and then remained in continuous production through 1985, and during that time it was Chevy’s most popular full-size car. It reappeared from 1994 through 1996 and then returned in 2000 and it remains in production today.

The idea behind the Impala was to offer the buying public a touch of class that many ordinary people could afford. This was a concept that struck a chord and it developed into one of the most successful automotive models of the era.

In case you’re wondering, no, I did not hang onto my 1970 Impala convertible and of course it is one of my biggest regrets. There were only 9562 of them built, and here I am forced to admit that due to the ignorance of youth I let one of them slip through my hands.