Buy or Bye Bye: Classic K5 Blazer Vs. Unique Willys Jeep Wagon

1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer: Big Block, Big Lift, Big Presence

A giant V8, lockers, and Rancho shocks? Sign us up! 

Under the hood, a 454ci V8 is paired with a four-speed manual transmission and a Detroit locker. It’s got the sound, the torque, and the drivetrain chops to back up the swagger. The removable black hardtop gives it that classic K5 convertible vibe, but the rest of the build takes a step toward Baja runner.

It’s lifted four inches with Rancho shocks and a quad front setup. Manually locking hubs, power steering, and power-assisted front disc brakes keep it drivable, while 33x12.50 Nitto Trail Grapplers on polished Outlaw IIs do the talking at a standstill.

Inside, the truck swaps factory vinyl for bolstered suede bucket seats with four-point harnesses, a textured black floor, and a Hurst shifter with a T-handle straight out of a ‘90s street machine. There's a three-seat bench in the back, a roll bar, and a tach-and-gauge setup that leans more drag strip than campground.

You get the sense this truck was built to drive. It’s not a museum piece. The torn shifter boot and corrosion on the undercarriage back that up. But the bones are real. The stance is right. And when you pair a big block with a manual in a short-wheelbase 4x4, the result is never dull.

The verdict: If your brand of fun is ripping around your hometown, strapped into a four-point harness and prodding a lifted V8 monster, this is your rig! 

1956 Willys Surrey Jeep Wagon: A Simpler, More Useful Summer Rig

Now for the wild contrast. 

The Willys isn’t lifted, loud, or fast. But it might be the most useful vintage vehicle you’ll see all week. This is a 1950s workhorse with 4x4, a canvas roof, and a bed made of oak, not for show, but for function. Farmers' market run? Throw the crates in the back. Want to be in a Fourth of July parade? Toss in a couple of lawn chairs and a dog in a bandana. It’s a Swiss Army knife on steel wheels.

Under the hood is the 134 cubic inch Hurricane F-head inline-four. It’s simple, reliable, and designed to be fixed with hand tools and patience. In 2015, it got a revised carburetor, tubular headers, and a high-torque starter, but the personality stayed intact. It pairs with a rebuilt three-speed manual and a dual-range transfer case, so even though it's slow, it's still capable in the dirt or snow.

The exterior is finished in blue with red 15 inch steel wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich Silvertown 660s, and it carries itself with the confidence of something that was built to be used, not just admired. The canvas top shelters a handsome oak plank cargo area that’s ready to haul gear, dogs, antique furniture, or a mobile pie stand, depending on your weekend plans.

Inside, it’s all function. A replacement bench seat in gray vinyl, lap belts, a steel dash, and center-mounted gauges round out the cockpit. The odometer’s stuck at 43 thousand miles, but, honestly, this thing’s got stories, not service intervals.

It’s offered at no reserve, which feels appropriate. There’s nothing flashy here. It’s just honest, versatile, and somehow cooler than most builds costing four times as much. It’s the kind of rig that earns its keep and then some.

The verdict: An instant conversation starter, this Willy’s Wagon puts the utility in sports utility vehicle. 

Who’s The Winner?

That depends on what you’re after and how much you want to do with your vintage 4x4.

If you’re looking for something that drives like a modern classic, feels sharp on the road, and can still shred a trail with torque to spare, the Blazer takes the win. The big-block swap, manual transmission, and tasteful mods give it a usable edge. It’s fast, functional, and sorted with just enough vintage vibe without the usual vintage compromise.

But if you want something that looks cool as hell and can be used in more creative ways, the Willys might be the smarter summer buy. It’s not going to outrun anyone, but it might outlast them. It’s a mobile farmer’s market stand, a tailgate-party hub, a parade float, a photo-op machine, and a conversation starter rolled into one. You don’t just drive this Jeep - you use it.

So, who wins?

If you want to drive hard on the trails and get plenty of attention, pick the Blazer.If you want to live slow and demand ultimate utility, pick the Willys.

Either way, your summer just got better.