A 1987 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Silverado, the final year of the first-generation full-size Blazer, this example is a frame-off restomod powered by a 6.0-liter LQ4 V8 and finished in two-tone gray. It is offered on Bring a Trailer by a dealer with bidding at $65,000 and two days remaining. The hook is a comprehensively rebuilt and heavily documented square-body, one of the hottest corners of the classic truck market.
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What it’s worth right now
As a modified truck, this K5 is valued on the quality and completeness of its build rather than on originality or mileage. Recent sales and listings show a wide spread: driver-grade LS-swapped K5s trade from roughly $25,000 to $45,000, quality frame-off restomods with modern drivetrains generally land between about $60,000 and $100,000 as seen on ClassicCars.com and recent Bring a Trailer results, and the very best supercharged show builds have reached $130,000 to $180,000.
This truck sits squarely in the frame-off restomod tier. It received a nut-and-bolt build completed in 2025 with a rebuilt LQ4 6.0-liter V8, a fresh 4L80E automatic, a four-wheel disc conversion, a four-inch lift, and a fully redone interior, backed by more than 90 pages of receipts documenting the work. That level of documentation is a genuine value driver on a build like this.
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At $65,000 with two days remaining, the bidding is tracking at the lower end of the quality-restomod range, so it should climb. Fair value realistically lands in the $65,000 to $90,000 range, most likely the low-to-mid $70,000s to mid-$80,000s, depending on how buyers assess the build in person.
Condition and details
The truck was refinished in two-tone gray with fresh trim and emblems, and it rides on 17-inch Mickey Thompson wheels wrapped in 35-inch BFGoodrich KO2 tires, with a four-inch lift and Warn locking front hubs. Inside, it has been thoroughly modernized with TMI leather seating, Vintage Air climate control, Dakota Digital gauges, power windows and locks, and a custom audio system. The drivetrain pairs the Holley-injected LQ4 with a 4L80E automatic and an NP208 dual-range transfer case, and the seller notes desirable factory options including a rear locker and the Z75 quad-shock front setup.
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The documentation is a highlight. The listing includes over 90 pages of build receipts detailing parts and labor, which is exactly what a buyer wants to see on a restomod, and photos taken throughout the process. The build was completed in 2025, so the roughly 1,360 miles represent shakedown use since then.
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The considerations center on history and usage. The five-digit odometer reads about 1,360 build miles, but the Carfax notes an earlier odometer rollover and mileage inconsistency, so total mileage is unknown, and the truck should be valued on its build. The Carfax also notes a theft and recovery in 2019, before the build, which is worth understanding. Finally, as with any engine-swapped classic, registration and emissions treatment vary by state, so buyers should confirm the rules where they live.
The offer
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Make | Chevrolet |
| Model | K5 Blazer Silverado |
| Year | 1987 |
| Mileage | 1,400 miles on the build, total mileage unknown |
| Engine | 6.0-liter LQ4 V8 with Holley EFI |
| Power | Not specified |
| Transmission | 4L80E 4-speed automatic |
| Drive type | Four-wheel drive with dual-range transfer case |
| Exterior color | Two-tone gray |
| Interior color | Black leather with red stitching |
| Current bid | $65,000, with two days left |
Interested in this 1987 Chevrolet K5 Blazer? View the listing here.
What makes the K5 Blazer unique
The first-generation Chevrolet K5 Blazer, and the square-body trucks of this era in particular, have become some of the most sought-after vintage American 4x4s. The clean, boxy styling, removable hardtop, and rugged body-on-frame construction tap into a powerful wave of nostalgia, and 1987 marked the final year of this beloved first generation, giving it a bookend appeal among collectors.
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That popularity, paired with an enormous aftermarket, has made the K5 a favorite restomod platform. Builders routinely combine the classic looks with modern LS-family power, updated transmissions, and disc brakes to create a truck that drives far better than any factory example ever did. A build like this one, with a fuel-injected 6.0-liter, an overdrive-friendly automatic, and a full suite of comfort and convenience upgrades, delivers exactly the blend of vintage style and modern usability that has driven values sharply upward.
My take
This is a strong example of a red-hot genre, and the appeal is easy to see: the square-body K5 is one of the coolest vintage 4x4s going, and this one has been thoroughly rebuilt, intelligently upgraded, and, crucially, exhaustively documented. The modern LQ4 drivetrain, disc brakes, and comfort features make it genuinely usable, and the 90-plus pages of receipts give a buyer real confidence in what they are getting.
I would place fair value in the $65,000 to $90,000 range, so the current $65,000 bid still has room to climb. The advice is to lean on that documentation: review the receipts, get a pre-purchase inspection to confirm build quality, understand the pre-build theft-and-recovery note, and check how your state handles an engine-swapped classic for registration and emissions. Do that, and this is a handsome, capable, and well-sorted square-body in one of the market’s most desirable forms.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.
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About the author
Kyle Edward
Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog