1984-1987 Chevrolet M1009 CUCV Blazer

The Chevrolet M1009 CUCV Blazer was built for the United States Armed Forces from 1983 to 1986, in the 1984 to 1987 model years. Intended as a light support vehicle for the military, the M1009 differed from Chevrolet's civilian 3/4-ton four-wheel-drive K5 Blazer in several ways. Most notably, they were powered by a 155-horsepower non-emissions 6.2-liter Detroit Diesel V8 engine with a TH400 3-speed automatic transmission, and featured a hybrid electrical system that used 24 volts under the hood for the starter, dual alternators, NATO jump start receptacle, and military radio hookups, while retaining 12 volts elsewhere. They also had heavier suspension springs and, as limitary vehicles, they naturally lacked civilian features like radios and air conditioning.

The example pictured here was a retired military surplus vehicle that was acquired by the Rainier Fire Department in Rainier, Oregon, in the 1990s. It is pictured here in the 1997 Rainier Days in the Park Parade on July 12, 1997.