I wouldn't know about when it was new because it was before my time but when time, money, and a little heart is put into it, the blazer is a top of the line truck. My truck had over-steering and could park on a dime! When the oil was changed regularly and everything else maintained, this truck was outstanding. Braking was good if brakes aren't slammed. Build quality is a Chevy build. Solid design which can even take a few crashes after 7 years of really bad beach rust in Huntington Beach, California. I can personally vouch for that as well! The looks are really unique when you think about it. The 1979 is the only year that had those chrome bezels cover the park lights and the hood had a outward square push on the front end of just the hood. Plus the design by itself just say big, bad, and solid. It could have been considered the hummer of that age when jacked up with tires. The stock look was a little low even on the suburban model. It was a gas hog with that 350 Chevy small black and maintenance is only bad if its not done regularly like with all cars. When you have a Chevy... you just fall in love. It's your best friend forever. If you take care of it, it will take care of you. If you don't and you let it sit and rust at the beach ( like my father did with this poor girl ) It wont stop till it is totally done for. In my case, when it throws a rod.. Remember that all the old Chevys are pieces of our American history and have hearts of gold.

I dropped a built 355 engine in it putting out about 300 horses and swapped the auto 350 tranny to a 4 speed manual. This thing hauls. Its a work in progress.

Big, Cool, Ugly, Loud, just the way a 4 wheel drive should be. Not bad on fuel, but have to run 91+ octane. Nice ride for being so tall, all springs, no blocks. But very loud in the cab with topper on.

This is my bush toy. I love it and will probly never be done workin on it there is always something more i want to do to it in the time i have owned it i have replaced or upgraded almost every part on it