By Rob Fortier – Images by Michael Christensen
“Danny Rios wanted to build the ‘ultimate California cruiser’ two-wheel-drive Blazer. From the outset, he was up in the air about the details, budget, and timing. As a working guy supporting a family, he was concerned the build would be too much for him to take on. Though as we moved through the project with a clear vision, we simply took our time to complete the picture; we strategically chose build partners that would add style and value to the overall picture, while totally encapsulating the complete feel we had for the roadster blazer we now know as ‘Sancha.’”
–Aaron Cushman, Total Performance Motorsports
Cushman pretty much summed it up when he compared the concept of Danny’s 1972 Chevy Blazer to that of the 1932 roadsters from back in the day: “The kind of vehicle that would encapsulate that vibe of cruising PCH in the California sun … the modern roadster in this booming classic truck market that 100 percent says ‘cool’ and oozes style just standing still!” Cushman’s Salinas, California–based shop built the full-custom Blazer to stand out as a testament to the proverbial “what if?”. Having seen Sancha in its full glory under the lights at the Grand National Truck Show—twice—I can attest to the success of their collective build goal!
The build began in October 2017, when Total Performance began chipping away at the underpinnings. First and foremost, the stock front/rear suspensions were eliminated in favor of Porter Built IFS and four-link stubs with a custom-made center X-member by Total Performance. Slam Specialties SS6 bags and an AccuAir e-Level control system handle the adjustable ride height, while Wilwood six-piston binders handle the braking behind 22-inch Schott Nitro Concaves running 30/35-series Nitto Invo rubber. Power is supplied by a BluePrint Engines 383 stroker that features Edelbrock induction, MSD digital ignition, and a custom stainless exhaust utilizing MagnaFlow mufflers and Hedman headers; a TCI 700-R4 and Moser 3.73-geared 12-bolt complete the powertrain package via an aluminum driveshaft from Inland Empire Driveline.
When it came to the exterior, well, let’s have Cushman explain the details: “Wow, where do we begin?! All fabrication and mods done by us. The hood was sectioned very lightly front to back to reduce the ‘forehead’ on the front of the grille to hood transition. The handmade windshield frame—with Fesler flush-mount glass—was set back 12 degrees to help with the ‘roadster’ feel and to add speed in the appearance even while standing still from the profile. The doors were custom-built at the top to transition from the door to the windshield frame and to completely remove the door glass—again, true roadster. The wheel openings on the fender and quarter were altered to accommodate both physically and visually the larger-diameter wheels. The cowl was handmade to reengineer the hood-to-windshield transition and lines, and a rear roll pan was custom-made. The custom inner engine compartment panels were made by me with help from Lazze Metal Shaping, and bead-rolled and stamped to look custom, yet factory-influenced. The bumper in the front has been tucked and trimmed, and the tailgate has been filled, and the latch has been flipped to the inside.” All of that, and more, including beneath the hood where a set of Slosh Tubz were used, for obvious reasons, was bodyworked and coated in House of Kolor Sancha Kandy Red by Precision Auto Body in Salinas.
Lastly, before Danny hit PCH or wherever the coastal California roads would take him, Cushman sent the reworked Blazer and its reworked cabin over to Daniel’s Custom Auto Interiors in Fresno, California, for a full red—and I mean RED—Apex Leather interior. While the rear seat has been eliminated, modified 1965 Impala buckets replace the factory seating, custom door panels were fashioned, and a one-off center console to house the Lokar shifter, LCD monitor, and e-Level controller. Classic Instruments provided a set of color-matched needle gauges for Danny’s OE bezel, while a Billet Specialties wheel was used with an Ididit tilt column. The custom audio system is hidden under the cargo area; custom speaker bezels were made for the monikered platform. “The interior needed to be genuinely GM-influenced with the feel of a 1960s-70s high-end performance car. We opted for the Corvette/Impala vibe, but only a whisper of the theme, not a copy of any design. We simply wanted to convey a feeling rather than force the onlooker to see it.
“The end result,” Cushman surmised, “has been the enrichment of completely close relationships with the owner and the build team at Total Performance, as well as the craftsmen at Precision Custom Automotive, Adolpho Martinez, and Mike Salinas.”
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