Ringbrothers, the world-renowned custom car builder and parts manufacturer, has unveiled its latest creation — a custom-built 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer known as “RASKAL.” Engineered from the ground up as a thorough reimagining of Chevrolet’s iconic off-roader, the four-wheel-drive Blazer features bespoke components and the extreme attention to detail Ringbrothers is known for.
Ringbrothers invested 2,800 hours on the build with every panel and surface customized to exacting standards. The factory hardtop, side and rear glass have been removed and replaced with a custom full-length two-piece removable aluminum canopy. Both the quarter panels and tailgate have been raised to match the door height with the door handles moved to the top of the doors for a seamless profile. The extended lowered floor provides a roomier interior and comfortable seating options. Ringbrothers’ proprietary BASF Glasurit Waterborne mix called Bashful Blue covers the hand-shaped bodywork.
“RASKAL is all about having fun, getting into trouble and causing some mischief,” said Ringbrothers co-owner Jim Ring. “With this project, we wanted to explore the nuance of sport utility and evolve the K5 Blazer’s original lines and proportions into something that celebrated the K5’s go everywhere, do everything attitude.”
Beneath the Ringbrothers carbon-fiber hood resides a 430-horsepower Wegner Motorsports-built 6.2-liter LS3 V8 channeling 425 ft-lbs of torque to the ground through a Bowler Tru-Street GM 4L80E automatic transmission. Underneath, “RASKAL” rides on a custom RS4 chassis built by Roadster Shop. The Currie Dana 44 front and Dana 60 rear axles tie to the chassis via a triangulated four-link suspension with FOX Racing coilovers. Stopping power is provided by Baer six-piston calipers clamping down on 13-inch rotors at all four corners, while Motul lubricants and fluids ensure the powertrain is at peak performance. The Blazer stands tall thanks to a set of Nitto Ridge Grappler tires wrapped around one-off 18-inch wheels mirroring the style of the Blazer’s factory wheels.
Inside, “RASKAL’s” cabin features a fully bespoke interior by Steve Pearson at Upholstery Unlimited. In-house fabricated seats combine the Blazer’s resolute nature with precision workmanship. The dash features Ringbrothers dashboard bezels and houses Dakota Digital instrumentation and a custom Ringbrothers steering wheel.
“This build is less about the numbers and more about character,” added Ringbrothers co-founder Mike Ring. “Every piece of the build was designed to embrace the fun sport-utility aspects of the original K5 but enhanced to be better and more capable in every way. All of this wouldn’t be possible without our trusted partners BASF, Motul, GFS, Dakota Digital, Heat Shield Products, Dynamat and others for once again helping us fulfill our vision and bring the character of this build to life.”
Ringbrothers offers a number of billet aluminum parts, carbon-fiber steering wheels, side marker light bezels and more for enthusiasts looking to customize their own Blazer. Visit Ringbrothers.com for more details.
