OWNER: Kevin Latour
RIDE: 1996 Chevy Blazer
HOMETOWN: Bristol, CT
CLUB: No Regrets
It's easy to say that a comment like "built not bought" is a ridiculous statement when you bought a finished truck. In the case of Kevin Latour from Bristol, Connecticut, it was really easy to say it.
"It was an easy decision for me to trade" said Kevin. Why wouldn't it be? He traded a very unique and body-dropped dualie for a very unique and awesome body-dropped Blazer. Kevin knew that the previous owner, Brian Kuykendalls, had taken care of this Blazer and he knew it was a real attention- getter. More importantly he knew he was trading one head- turner for another. This Dough Boy-painted, V-8 rumbling, Chevy Blazer was the kind of head-turner Kevin wanted to add to his collection.
Kevin, a minitruck veteran with over 20 years in the scene, is a bodyman by trade and says he could have easily started with another stock vehicle. You see, he's been down that path before, and Kevin's already built a few trucks in the past including a bodied and juiced Mazda and a stock-looking static Chevy, so this time around he decided to took a short cut. It's paid off too, because now he can enjoy the Blazer on a weekly basis instead of sweating in the garage in the little free time he has to try and get a vehicle to this stage. Kevin knows what it takes to build something of this caliber, and even though the Blazer was in great shape when he got it, he still took the time to do some updates. This included a new and updated stereo system, which has even changed since the photo shoot, and a few minor tweaks to the suspension. Kevin assured us that the Blazer was in great shape and really didn't need any work, but like anything he owns Kevin went through it completely to make sure it will remain roadworthy as he really likes to cruise it whenever he can.
This blazer has been shaved in more places than we want to mention and nothing was spared. The engine compartment is completely dressed; the interior is subtle yet completely redone. The front end of this truck sports a cowl-induction hood and Envoy front headlights and bumper. And the Dough Boy Customs two-sided paintjob rounds out this Blazer as a one-of-a-kind custom worthy of anybody's collection.
What's the best part of owning this unique Blazer? "Getting to enjoy it!" states Kevin. Nothing beats that, and we can agree with Kevin. In the hot-rod community, buying a built car is considered a smart and money-saving investment. We agree with Kevin when he says that more minitruckers should save the already built trucks and not chop them up only to be used for parts.
So what's next for Kevin? "Enjoying the Blazer and showing it with my club" says Kevin. But don't expect to see Kevin cruising this Blazer on the East Coast too much longer, as Kevin says the Blazer and his family will soon be cruising the streets of sunny Arizona. Keep an eye out for Kevin and this Blazer on the West Coast, and for more info check out the Lowdown.