Bonanza Blazer

[Shawn]

Thinking about buying a 1978 Bonanza Blazer thats needs some TLC which means paint, body, interior, etc. Similar to this one white in the picture but in black paint. This one has the D package which is all the options possible including PW, PL, Tilt, Cruise, AC, etc. Looks like they only did this package in 78 on the Blazers while the trucks had this package 77-79. I've only seen 1 or 2 Bonanza Blazers for sale ever so "I think" this might be more rare than your typical K5 around those years. Its weird they did the Bonanza 10 fender emblem instead of the Blazer emblem. I realize the Bonanza deal is just a package deal they did end of the year to sell trucks but I was curious what you guys thought and if the value on these might be more than usual in nice shape especially with the higher D package.

 

[USSkoval]

It might add some value to someone that finds the Bonanza special interesting (I always have) but as a whole, the value is probably the same as any other K5 in the same condition and with the same options.

 

[Shawn]

It might add some value to someone that finds the Bonanza special interesting (I always have) but as a whole, the value is probably the same as any other K5 in the same condition and with the same options.

You might be right. I never considered them desirable and never cared for the name when I first learned about them. Maybe to a collector it might be worth it if its all stock which this is. Either way I might pull the trigger on this one since its a good deal. The only thing that's disappointing is previous owners painted it white from its original black including the door jambs and lower dash, put some crappy seats from some other vehicle including rear seat. I do have proper front seats and a blue rear seat I can recover in red. The lower metal dash will need repaired under the stereo and the roof will need repaired. Its mostly rust free and all complete including AC so that helps. Looks like it has factory dual exhaust which is good since no cats required. There is no SPID unfortunately but I can get the original GM vehicle invoice and build sheet record with all the options it came with from GM Heritage Archives. Found this when I searched and the picture they use is not even a Bonanza. LOL

 

[obijuank5]

I think it’s just super neat. It was definitely a conversation piece when I had my 77 c10 bonanza. At that time I didn’t know much about it cause it was like 2005. Now I’m a big fan of unique things that stand aside a cool truck and make it something a little extra cool.

 

[Shawn]

I think it’s just super neat. It was definitely a conversation piece when I had my 77 c10 bonanza. At that time I didn’t know much about it cause it was like 2005. Now I’m a big fan of unique things that stand aside a cool truck and make it something a little extra cool.

Yeah its not something you normally see on these Trucks/Blazers. I agree it gives some extra coolness these days. Looking forward to finishing my other 78 K5 with the ZY5 and white hood/stripes and getting it painted.

Most people be like- Bonanza....??? What the hell is a Bonanza??? LOL

 

[USSkoval]

You might be right. I never considered them desirable and never cared for the name when I first learned about them. Maybe to a collector it might be worth it if its all stock which this is. Either way I might pull the trigger on this one since its a good deal. The only thing that's disappointing is previous owners painted it white from its original black including the door jambs and lower dash, put some crappy seats from some other vehicle including rear seat. I do have proper front seats and a blue rear seat I can recover in red. The lower metal dash will need repaired under the stereo and the roof will need repaired. Its mostly rust free and all complete including AC so that helps. Looks like it has factory dual exhaust which is good since no cats required. There is no SPID unfortunately but I can get the original GM vehicle invoice and build sheet record with all the options it came with from GM Heritage Archives. Found this when I searched and the picture they use is not even a Bonanza. LOL

View attachment 518437

Yeah, too bad it's not black/red anymore. Although I'm a bit biased, as that's what my '77 is.



Also, I've never seen a Bonanza with special stripes or hubcaps, like that little article states. Just fender badging and a dash badge.

 

[Shawn]

Yeah, too bad it's not black/red anymore. Although I'm a bit biased, as that's what my '77 is.



Also, I've never seen a Bonanza with special stripes or hubcaps, like that little article states. Just fender badging and a dash badge.

Yeah it makes me cringe when people do paint color changes like that. I'll be returning it back to black. The quote on that search is not correct. Bonanza A shows Rally Wheels which I guess could mean the special center caps but definitely no stripes or decals that I have seen. Interior trim is just that one emblem unless they were talking about the Cheyenne alum trim it would come with. One could order it with the ZY5 decor stripe package which would be super cool if it did come with that but the underside of the hood was black which tells me thats not the case.

 

[wazzabie]

Anyone have a photo of the special decal in the door jam?

 

[USSkoval]

Anyone have a photo of the special decal in the door jam?

There were no special decals. That info listed is incorrect.

The Bonanza packages offered option combinations at a slightly discounted rate, a Bonanza dash emblem and Bonanza fender emblems to show people that you saved a little bit of money near the end of the model year. That's it. The Bonanza emblems simply took place of K5, Silverado, Cheyenne, etc badging.

 

[Shawn]

Yep, totally wrong when it says there is door jamb decals and stripes. Not sure where it got that from.

I was curious if it still gets the round Cheyenne badge in the back and it looks like it does from the brochure and a few survivors still around.

 

[muddybuddy]

Cool package you rarely ever see, and certainly rarely in good or better condition. I think the plaid seats are very cool, they have really grown on me in the last 5yrs or so. 20yrs ago I would have probably hated it. Tastes change.

Do you plan to restore and flip or keep? I know you’ve had reasonable success selling after the project is complete and not totally losing your shirt. Either way, i wouldnt expect higher value because of package (said another way, dont use the package as justification to yourself to go all out if you plan to sell).

 

[Shawn]

Cool package you rarely ever see, and certainly rarely in good or better condition. I think the plaid seats are very cool, they have really grown on me in the last 5yrs or so. 20yrs ago I would have probably hated it. Tastes change.

Do you plan to restore and flip or keep? I know you’ve had reasonable success selling after the project is complete and not totally losing your shirt. Either way, i wouldnt expect higher value because of package (said another way, dont use the package as justification to yourself to go all out if you plan to sell).

Yeah the plaid seats in the late 70s are definitely back in style now and expensive just for material which only SMS carries and takes awhile. I would hate them too 20 years ago. On my other 78 it has red vinyl seats. It could be it either the plaid or vinyl material on the Bonanza, not sure what this one came with so I'll have to run a GM Heritage request for the dealer invoice. I will definitely be restoring it and will decide later if I keep it or sell it. It would be nice to keep one thats rare but for me, finances always dictate that. Honestly, it doesn't take much $$$ to get one of these looking decent if you do most of the work and you start with something mostly rust free. I don't do paint/body but everything else. The rust repair can really send you down a rabbit hole so I try to stay away from those projects. There's some reasonable paint shops close to me but there's others that charge a fortune.

 

[muddybuddy]

Yeah the plaid seats in the late 70s are definitely back in style now and expensive just for material which only SMS carries and takes awhile. I would hate them too 20 years ago. On my other 78 it has red vinyl seats. It could be it either the plaid or vinyl material on the Bonanza, not sure what this one came with so I'll have to run a GM Heritage request for the dealer invoice. I will definitely be restoring it and will decide later if I keep it or sell it. It would be nice to keep one thats rare but for me, finances always dictate that. Honestly, it doesn't take much $$$ to get one of these looking decent if you do most of the work and you start with something mostly rust free. I don't do paint/body but everything else. The rust repair can really send you down a rabbit hole so I try to stay away from those projects. There's some reasonable paint shops close to me but there's others that charge a fortune.

I always enjoy your builds so hopefully you decide to take it on!

 

[Shawn]

I always enjoy your builds so hopefully you decide to take it on!

I appreciate it! Most of the builds lately have just been mostly restoring. Some are just stock builds, nothing too extreme. Its a satisfying feeling bringing back something that looks like a worn out POS to something that you can appreciate at a local car show and get nothing but compliments. Thats probably why I enjoy the old Roadkill shows where they find something in the junkyard and make it live again... or Vice Grip Garage (Roadworthy Rescue) doing the same. Bringing things back to life is rewarding.





This is what the Bonanza Blazer looks like now....


Bonanza dash plaque:

(will confirm with GM Heritage dealer invoice that is legit)

Dash is messed up here. Will need to cut and weld from a used dash. Not sure how this even happened...

 

[USSkoval]

Holy hell! That dash has a story to tell.

I believe that with the Cheyenne trim level, you had your choice of cloth or vinyl. If cloth was chosen, you automatically got the plaid.

It was a nearly impossible task to find decent plaid seats 20 years ago, it's only got worse since then. It'd be nice if one of the resto companies stepped up to the plate and offered proper seat covers finally.

 

[Shawn]

Holy hell! That dash has a story to tell.

I believe that with the Cheyenne trim level, you had your choice of cloth or vinyl. If cloth was chosen, you automatically got the plaid.

It was a nearly impossible task to find decent plaid seats 20 years ago, it's only got worse since then. It'd be nice if one of the resto companies stepped up to the plate and offered proper seat covers finally.

Yeah makes you wonder on that dash... Someone was really angry or really stupid.
Correct, Cheyenne had the choice of fabric or vinyl. Usually the drivers seat is toast like these on my 1979 K5 a couple years ago at my go to upholstery shop. Passenger and back seat wasn't too bad though. SMS is the only option for fabric that comes close which is pricey then you have to find a upholstery shop so more on the expensive side. I ended up going all pre-made velour on that build due to price.

 

[USSkoval]

If there ever are reproductions, the '79 will probably be last on the list since it was '79-only. '77 and '78 had their own design, then '79 by itself, then '80-'82 was a different design again (but with minor differences in buttons and stitching in those years).

 

[Shawn]

If there ever are reproductions, the '79 will probably be last on the list since it was '79-only. '77 and '78 had their own design, then '79 by itself, then '80-'82 was a different design again (but with minor differences in buttons and stitching in those years).

I doubt anyone will come out with a kit for certain years since there isn't a huge market for the plaid seats. Last time I checked with SMS, it was like $1000 just for plaid material, then you need to find an upholstery shop to stitch it all together so in the end, you are looking at $2k or more. Thats why many go aftermarket like TMI if they don't care about originality.