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Custom Auto Builder Curt Hill's Modified 1972 Chevy Blazer at 2012 SEMA
Custom Auto Builder Curt Hill's Modified 1972 Chevy Blazer at 2012 SEMA
24 Jan 2013
Hill's Rod and Custom's 1972 Chevy Blazer at SEMA
Located in Pleasant Hill, California is a company devoted to building unique rides since 2008. Curt Hill, owner and builder of Hill’s Rod and Custom, has a lot of experience when it comes to customizing cars and trucks into distinct and awesome hot rods. "I personally have 18 years working in the industry at various shops," said Hill. "I started Hill's Rod and Custom four years ago and have been enjoying building different projects. I think my specialty is one-of-a-kind cars and the parts they are made of." For the 2012 SEMA show, Hill brought one of his newer creations, a heavily modified 1972 Chevy Blazer, built for the Alworth’s of Manhattan Beach, Ca.
SEMA Featured Chevy Blazer From Hill's Rod and Custom
"The theme of this Blazer was to appear stock at first, then at second glance all the little things would then set it apart from other stock Blazers," said Hill. "The idea was to have a low stance with coil overs and ride and handle like a Corvette." When asked how extensive the modifications were, Hill replied, "There is not one thing that is not been touched, painted, plated, or powder coated." "This Blazer is a true frame off build, starting with only the frame rails and everything made from there. The suspension, frame stiffeners, heat shields, exhaust, engine starting with a new block and built from there. The body got the full treatment with new paint and added moldings to make it a two tone like the trucks. The trucks were two tone but the Blazers were one solid color with the top white," said Hill. Curt also noted that the interior was a complete one-off design by Sid Chavers upholstery.
Curt Hill's 1972 Chevy Blazer Outside SEMA Building
Curt Hill's SEMA Chevy Blazer
"The frame was the most radical modification," reported Hill. "It was done in house at Hill's Rod and Custom in Pleasant Hill, CA. The reason the frame was so important [is] because it made the blazer frame super stiff." With Hill’s concept to take this street car and modify it to a race car, a strong and stiff frame was imperative to support a removable top which offered no additional strength.
Building such an extensive project for the SEMA show is certainly a considerable challenge. "It take[s] many long hours to get a vehicle up to the standard...that SEMA has risen to," said Hill. "Another important ingredient is to have the best parts in the industry on the vehicle to make it stand out from others." When asked which parts Hill’s Rod and Custom trusts, Curt told about his first car. "I have been using K&N products since my first car, a 1954 Chevy hard top. I would always put a K&N air filter because they are proven," said Hill. For the Blazer build, Hill used K&N air filter E-3029R. "I used the filter because it works; Brett the owner wanted it because it looks better than other white filters," said Hill. "...We spend so much on getting horsepower, it would be a shame to put a poor air filter on that takes power away!"
1972 Chevy Blazer at SEMA 2012
Optima Street Car Invitational Chevy Blazer at SEMA
Since its completion, the 1972 Blazer has received quite a bit of notoriety. "1st Place in its class at the Grand National Roadster Show Pomona, Sacramento Autorama, Goodguys Gazette Pick, Meguiars Magnificent Masterpiece, and ‘70’s Pick." "The blazer also competed in the Optima Street Car Invitational, and placed 23rd out of 52 cars," said Hill. As for upcoming exposure, the Blazer is scheduled to be on the February cover of Street Trucks. Hill is also looking forward to seeing the Blazer rack up some miles over the next year. "...It was meant to be driven and enjoyed be the owners. I also can’t wait to get other vehicles out that I'm currently working on for people to see."
