What is the nickname of the K5 Blazer?
The nickname is simply “K5” (pronounced kay-five). The K5 Blazer refers to Chevrolet’s first-generation two‑door SUV built on GM’s truck platform, produced from 1969 to 1972.
The K5 designation is used by enthusiasts to distinguish this classic 4x4 Blazer from later generations, and it remains the common shorthand in clubs, auctions, and restoration shops.
Origins of the K5 designation
The K5 name comes from GM's historic truck platform labeling. In GM's nomenclature, the K-series designated four-wheel-drive, half-ton trucks and SUVs. The numeric suffix '5' identifies the half-ton payload class, placing the two-door Blazer in a family with other K-series models like the K10 pickup and K20/1500 Suburban variants. The result is the widely used nickname K5 Blazer for the early SUV.
Key points about how the K5 name is formed and used in practice:
- GM's K-series designation applied to 4x4 versions of half-ton trucks and related SUVs.
- The "5" indicates the half-ton payload class in this lineup.
- The pairing of K + 5 stuck as the familiar shorthand for the early Blazer among collectors, dealers, and fans.
In short, the K5 name is a product-code that became fixed in popular usage to identify Chevrolet’s original two-door Blazer.
The nickname today among enthusiasts
Common usage
In contemporary car culture, people typically say “K5 Blazer” or simply “K5” when referring to the 1969–1972 model. The term is well understood by buyers, sellers, restorers, and auction houses.
Distinct from later generations
While Chevrolet later used Blazer naming for other generations, the K5 label denotes the first generation with a removable top and a body-on-frame design based on GM's truck chassis.
Summary
The K5 Blazer’s nickname is K5 (also spoken as “kay-five”), part of GM’s K-series 4x4 platform naming. This designation identifies Chevrolet’s original two‑door Blazer from 1969–1972 and remains a widely used shorthand among collectors and enthusiasts today.
What is a K5 Jimmy?
The GMC Jimmy was an SUV marketed by General Motors that spanned four generations and two distinct vehicles: The K5 Jimmy - a mid-size SUV built from 1970 to 1999 and based on the Chevrolet K5 Blazer. It was renamed to Yukon in 1991.
How much is a 1972 K5 Blazer worth today?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $38,867 for a 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 1/2 Ton in good condition with average spec. What is the highest selling price of a 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 1/2 Ton? The highest selling price of a 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 1/2 Ton at auction over the last three years was $440,000.
What does K5 mean on a Blazer?
"K5" on a Chevy Blazer refers to its model designation, where "K" signifies four-wheel drive and "5" indicates it was based on the company's full-size light-duty truck platform. This designation applies to the first and second generations of the full-size Blazer, produced from 1969 to 1991, distinguishing it from other models and highlighting its robust, truck-based foundation.
Breakdown of the designation
- "K": Denotes a four-wheel drive system, a key feature of the model.
- "5": Indicates the model's platform. While the number can have other meanings in GM's truck codes, in the context of the Blazer, it's associated with the full-size, 1/2-ton light-duty truck platform.
- Blazer: The model name, which was originally short for "trailblazer".
- Platform: The K5 Blazer was built on a shortened version of the same chassis used in the C/K line of pickup trucks, allowing for greater interior space and ruggedness.
Why the designation is important
- Distinction: It differentiates the full-size Blazer from other models, particularly later, smaller Blazer SUVs.
- Engine and features: The K5 badge is associated with specific features, such as its removable hardtop and robust body-on-frame construction.
- Nostalgia and community: The "K5" name has become a nostalgic term for enthusiasts and is used by the community to identify these classic, full-size SUVs.
What did GMC call their Blazer?
The Chevrolet K5 Blazer was GM's smallest full-size SUV. Introduced for the 1969 model year, the K5 Blazer was replaced for 1995 by the Tahoe. In 1970, GMC introduced its own model of the truck, called the Jimmy, which was discontinued in 1991 and replaced by the Yukon.
