2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: Captain “Wild” Bill Wichrowski’s 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Custom SUV – No Reserve

November 16, 2023
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

This custom Hogan Built 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer was restored and built for Captain “Wild” Bill Wichrowski of the Discovery Channel’s television show “The Deadliest Catch.” This complete restoration was taken down to bare metal and returned to a concours-worthy finish. The exterior color was restored to the factory original Medium Olive, two-toned with a Crème Brulee lower quarter. The two-tone is separated by MAR-K trim with the addition of a one-of-a-kind wood-grain insert.

The chassis was sandblasted and metal-worked, removing any imperfections or unnecessary holes. After fabrication, the chassis was smoothed and finished in a gloss black powder coat. The axles and brake system were completely revamped throughout. The axles were rebuilt, smoothed and painted to match the chassis. The brake system was upgraded with a hydro-boost system, along with drilled/slotted rotors and Wilwood calipers.

The factory hardtop was perfected and returned to better than new, with gas shocks, new weatherstripping and brand-new glass. To get the stance right, front and rear Deaver leaf springs were added with the addition of Fox shocks. The K5 sits on 17-inch Black Rhino Primm beadlocks paired with BFG KO2 tires.

The Blazer is powered by a 500hp factory 6.2-liter GM LS3 engine equipped with CVF front drive, mated to a Hughes 4L80E transmission and NP205 transfer case. To keep a vintage look in the engine bay, a classic 16-inch filter was added to the Holley intake along with SBC valve covers with hidden coil packs. To improve the power and output, a custom 3-inch fully TIG-welded, fully polished exhaust with MagnaFlow mufflers was fabricated. In the rear there is a polished 24-gallon Boyd fuel cell with a custom fuel cradle.

The custom interior features Triple Twine Tan throughout with custom bucket seats utilizing the Hogan Built front seat brackets, allowing the front seats to function like factory. A beautiful German square-weave carpet along with custom door panels were installed to provide a sense of elegance inside. There is a custom leather-wrapped steering wheel attached to a CPP color-matched steering column. Look just past the steering wheel to see Classic Instrument gauges that have been painted to match the build. A Vintage Air system has been added to keep things cool no matter what the weather, and there is also a RetroSound stereo and American Auto wire harness. This Blazer features a fully custom stereo featuring four 6.5-inch component speakers and a built-in 10-inch subwoofer. Dynamat is installed throughout to keep road noise out and the music in. This build had a true nut-and-bolt, body-off concours restoration using only the best parts while maintaining the classic K5 style for which Hogan Built is known.

Selling with No Reserve at the 2024 Scottsdale Auction, January 20-28, at WestWorld.