In the early 1980s, the term sport-utility vehicle (or SUV) had yet to become a household word and nameplates such as 4Runner, Trooper and Explorer did not yet exist. Outdoor sports enthusiasts who wanted a rugged vehicle that could carry their gear inside and get them into the mountains or to the lake had the traditional, big beasts such as Jeep's Wagoneer, Ford's Bronco and Chevrolet's Suburban and Blazer to pick from. But for those who wanted something a little sportier and more manageable in terms of size, there was nothing. Then Chevrolet brought out its compact S-10 Blazer in the Fall of 1982 as a 1983 model and started to fan the flames of what was to become a very hot vehicle segment.
   Based on the S-10 pickup truck introduced one year earlier, the S-10 Blazer shared most of its components and some sheetmetal with that small pickup. Built on a short, 100.5-inch wheelbase and available only in a two-door body style, the S-10 Blazer seated four and weighed about 3,200 pounds. From the doors forward, the body was identical to the S-10 pickup, and aft of that was the wagon-style back of a utility vehicle. The rear end featured a drop-down tailgate and lift-up glass window.
   Three trim levels were offered: base, Tahoe and Sport. Base versions were rather sparse, with vinyl seats and a rubber floor covering. Moving up to the Tahoe upgraded the truck with chrome trim, such as around the wheel wells, a choice of deluxe vinyl or cloth seats, carpeting and more gauges in the instrument panel. Springing for the Sport model brought features such as a console, fancier interior trim, a sport steering wheel and additional sound insulation.
   There wasn't much in the way of thrust for the S-10 Blazer, as a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that wheezed out 83 horsepower was standard, except in California where a 1.9-liter, 82-horse four banger (built by Isuzu) was the chosen power source. Optional (and the most popular engine choice) was a 2.8-liter V6 with 110 horsepower. In Chevrolet's defense, this was 1983, and it seemed that most automakers had yet to figure out how to get healthy power output from small displacement engines while still meeting fuel economy goals and emissions standards.
   An S-10 Blazer buyer had a choice of two- or four-wheel drive. The four-wheel-drive versions had "Insta-Trac," meaning one could shift into (or out of) 4WD high on the fly. Selecting four-wheel-drive low (used on very slippery, rough or steep terrain) required stopping the truck.
   Priced around $10,000 and received warmly by four-wheel-drive enthusiast magazines, first year S-10 Blazer sales were strong, with over 106,000 units moved out the door.
   GMC also brought out its twin to the S-10 Blazer, the S-15 Jimmy. The two trucks were virtually identical, save for different grille styling and rear-end garnishment. As with the S-10 Blazer, three trim levels (base Sierra, up-level Sierra Classic and sporty Gypsy Sport) were offered. And S-15 Jimmy equipment levels mirrored those of the S-10 Blazer models, meaning, for example, that a Sierra Classic was equal to the Tahoe.
   Note: Unless otherwise indicated, assume that any yearly changes that occur for the S-10 Blazer also apply for the S-15 Jimmy.
   An off-road package was introduced for 1984. Designed for those who would actually take their S-10 Blazer off the beaten path, the package included Bilstein shocks, skid plates for the transfer case and gas tank, front tow hooks and bigger tires. A hydraulic clutch was made standard and the optional cruise control was revised to allow an increase or decrease of the set speed in 1-mph increments.
   1985 brought one significant change to the S-10 Blazer, a new standard engine. Provided by Chevrolet's sister Pontiac division, the 2.5-liter "Tech IV" four-cylinder engine boasted fuel injection over the old engine's carburetor and produced 92 horsepower.
   Along with the above upgrade, the S-15 Jimmy Gypsy Sport now featured black chrome trim for the grille, headlight bezels, door handles and taillights.
   Revisions inside the cabin and under the hood marked the S-10 Blazer for 1986. A new dashboard, instrument cluster, seat trim (on Sport models) and door panels updated the interior. And the 2.8-liter V6 followed the four-banger's lead and got fuel injection, boosting output from 110 horsepower to a more respectable 125 ponies. A new "2.8 Fuel Injection" badge on the front of the truck (under the driver's side headlight) announced the higher-tech induction.
   For 1987, a single "serpentine" belt (for the alternator, power steering and optional A/C) that was good for 100,000 miles replaced the former multiple belts, decreasing upkeep costs. The 2.5-liter engine breathed easier via a redesigned intake manifold and cylinder heads, yet output remained the same as before. Midway through the year, a "High Country" package debuted, basically a black and gold appearance option. Features included gold lower-body paint that faded into the black upper-body color, gold wheels and gold badges.
   The S-15 Jimmy's changes were again similar, except the High Country package was called the Timberline package.
   After five years of production, General Motors realized that 92 horsepower wasn't enough to propel an SUV, so 1988 saw the V6 fitted as the standard engine for the S-10 Blazer. And later in the model year, a 4.3-liter V6 that produced a healthy 160 horsepower became an option. For added safety, rear seat shoulder belts appeared and for added enjoyment, a manual sunroof became optional.
   Safety was advanced in 1989 when standard rear-wheel antilock brakes debuted, along with a rear window wiper/washer option that was attached to the liftgate glass. An optional electronic instrument panel provided drivers with video game-like displays for information such as speed, engine rpm and fuel level. A new transfer case that promised smoother and quieter operation was fitted to models with the standard, 2.8-liter V6.
   In an effort to help fend off rivals such as Jeep's Cherokee and Isuzu's Trooper, the S-10 Blazer got serious upgrades for 1990. The stout, 4.3-liter V6 became the standard (and only) engine and the standard equipment list was likewise pumped up. A full-size spare tire, a redesigned instrument panel fitted with previously optional gauges (such as voltmeter and coolant temperature) and halogen headlights came on every S-10 Blazer. The Sport model added stylish alloy wheels to further validate its name.
   A four-door S-10 Blazer appeared for 1991, right on time to battle Ford's just introduced Explorer (which was available with two doors or four). A wheelbase nearly 7 inches longer than that of the two-door version meant a lot more room for rear seat passengers. The four-door could be had in familiar Tahoe or Sport trim levels, or a new loaded-up and leather-lined Tahoe LT. Four-wheel antilock brakes were standard on four-door versions, though inexplicably, the two-door models continued with the two-wheel antilock system.
   A new chrome grille with a thick, horizontal bar in the middle, along with revised emblems, side moldings and wheels marked the exterior of the 1991 S-10 Blazers. The Tahoe interior trim was upgraded and a front bench seat on Tahoe four-doors provided six-passenger capacity.
   The S-15 Jimmy also received a four-door version as well as new trim levels. Gone were the Sierra, Sierra Classic and Gypsy Sport and in their place came SL, SLE and SLX. The four-door came only as an SLE. Revisions to the grille (which was now an open rectangle without the previous years' vertical dividers), badges, moldings and wheels also took place.
   A third General Motors' division, Oldsmobile, jumped into the SUV fray in 1991 with their Bravada. Essentially a gussied-up S-10 Blazer (or S-15 Jimmy, for that matter), the Olds did have a few unique features. To differentiate itself from its lesser GM siblings, the Bravada had a split grille that was color-keyed along with the bumpers and ribbed body-side cladding. Available only as a four-door and positioned as an upscale SUV, the Bravada came with "SmartTrak," which consisted of full-time all-wheel drive and four-wheel antilock brakes. The expected luxury features, such as a premium stereo with cassette deck, power everything, keyless entry, cruise control and A/C all came as standard.
   1992 saw three new options debut: a 200-horsepower, "Enhanced" 4.3-liter V6; an electronic, push-button control for four-wheel-drive models; and a CD deck for the stereo. The optional engine came paired with an electronically controlled, four-speed automatic transmission. And the standard, 160-horsepower V6 continued with the five-speed manual gearbox as standard and the automatic as optional. Later in the year, a two-door S-10 Blazer LT model joined the four-door LT.
   A full-blown luxury version of the four-door S-15 Jimmy debuted. Dubbed the SLT, this GMC matched the S-10 Blazer LT in creature comfort content. And the pavement ripping, all-wheel-drive Typhoon debuted. Based on a two-door S-15 Jimmy, the Typhoon had a turbocharged and intercooled version of the 4.3-liter V6 that pumped out an amazing 280 horsepower hooked up to a Corvette's four-speed automatic gearbox. The combination of brute power and the ability to put it to use resulted in the Typhoon's stunning zero-to-60 mph performance (around 5 seconds) and quick dispatch of the quarter-mile (around 13 seconds). To put this into proper perspective, consider the fact that the Typhoon could easily run with legendary muscle cars, such as the Hemi 'Cuda and LS6 Chevelle SS.
   The 200-horsepower version of the 4.3 V6 became optional for the Bravada.
   The S-10 Blazer's name was changed in 1993 to S-Blazer, though strangely enough, the truck's badges read simply "Blazer." Tahoe and Tahoe LTs had some comfort and convenience features added this year that included an overhead console (with storage for things like a garage door opener and sunglasses) and lumbar adjustment for the front seats. Grille design was modified slightly with three vertical bars set inside the two horizontal rectangles.
   The standard 4.3-liter V6 benefited from numerous refinements designed to reduce noise and vibration. Along with smoother operation, this engine also saw the addition of five horsepower, for a total of 165 ponies.
   Once again following a year behind Chevrolet, GMC offers its top Jimmy, the SLT, in two-door form. The "S-15" was dropped from the name as GMC replaced the old full-size Jimmy with the Yukon in 1992. SLS models now sported a monochromatic paint scheme, with color-keyed bumpers, moldings and grille. The Typhoon, in its second and last year, received a few changes, such as suspension refinements, an overhead console, color-keyed grille and the option of a monochromatic, white exterior.
   Oldsmobile's Bravada got stronger and more luxurious for 1993. The 200-horsepower V6, a power driver's seat, overhead console (with outside temperature and compass displays) and power lumbar supports were all added to the standard features list. A new, electronically managed automatic gearbox, as well as modified powertrain mounts, further refined the Bravada's performance. And catering to the whims of the market, a gold package debuted featuring gold emblems and gold-accented wheels.
   In spite of 1994 being the last year of the first-generation S-10 (or S) Blazer, a few major changes occurred. Guard beams in the doors and a center high-mounted stoplight offered an additional margin of safety. Both V6 engines received long-life spark plugs and numerous improvements, such as composite rocker-arm covers, for even quieter performance. Front seat comfort in four-door models was improved via a new, 60/40 split bench seat with a fold-down center armrest.
   Along with the above updates (less the seat comments), the Bravada had its ride improved through revised shock absorbers. And in an ingenious marketing move, a Special Edition was offered that added leather seating, electronic instruments and gold exterior trim for a price tag $1,000 less than the standard Bravada. Ummm....so why would someone pay more to get less?
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