When A K5 Blazer Is Married To A C5 Corvette: The Blahvette
Jamie Murphy’s 1990 Chevrolet Blazer is an audacious Frankenstein monster of an automotive project, affectionally nicknamed “Blahvette.” Born from a rusty field-dwelling K5 Blazer shell and the battered remains of a wrecked 2000 C5 Chevrolet Corvette, the project is the Indianapolis-area kindergarten teacher’s first hands-on foray into the enthusiast world. What began as a goal to build a competitive autocross truck spiraled into a one-of-a-kind vehicle that turns heads and challenges conventions at every turn.
Jamie’s interest in performance automobiles started just over a year and a half ago when, at 29 years old, she embarked on her first build with her stepfather, Mark Frisbie, and a group of like-minded gearheads that showcase their builds on social media under the Built Shoulda Bought Garage moniker. With no prior experience wielding power tools, her automotive chops were virtually nonexistent. However, alongside Frisbie, and with the supporting expertise, she dove headfirst into the ambitious Blahvette project.
The foundation of this wild creation was a 1990 Blazer body that Jamie and Mark salvaged from a field. “It was rusting away, but we saw potential in it,” Jamie recalls. The duo stripped the Blazer down to bare bones, hauling it off its frame with nothing more than a chain fall and a sturdy mulberry tree. To provide a modern and performance-oriented platform, they sourced a totaled 2000 Corvette from Georgia, thanks to Tim Davis of Sally’s Speedshop.
The marriage of the Blazer’s classic and burly steel body with the Corvette’s low-slung chassis required some ingenuity. With guidance from the team at Tredwear, Jamie and Mark tackled the body swap in a single weekend in Alabama. The result? A hybrid machine like no other capable of both retaining its truck heritage and harnessing the Corvette’s more track-inspired handling characteristics. Yet, their journey was far from over. Returning to Indianapolis, they spent eight months fine-tuning the union of the two vehicles, straightening the frame, moving the wheel feels back a couple of inches, fabricating custom mounts, and tackling extensive bodywork.
One of the major challenges came nearly a year into the project. After countless hours of labor, they discovered the Corvette frame was noticeably bent at the rear passenger side—a dealbreaker for a build aimed at cornering on a racetrack. Local shops turned them away, unwilling or unable to tackle such a unique project. Salvation came in the form of a seasoned mechanic in Avon, Indiana, who not only had the necessary frame table but also the determination to take on the job. “He worked miracles,” Jamie says. “Without him, we might have had to scrap everything.”
Beyond problem-solving, the Blahvette’s aesthetic evolution was an exercise in resourcefulness. “We have a pretty unique build so there were not a lot of resources, such as the internet, to help guide us. We often just tried our best and if it didn't work out we would come back to the drawing board and try again,” Jamie explains.
The paint, a striking mix of black, silver, and red, combines tractor paint from Rural King, Sherwin-Williams roof paint, and even a roll-can red. While unconventional, the result aligns perfectly with the vehicle’s offbeat persona.
Mechanically, the Blahvette retains the Corvette’s stock LS1 powerplant and 4L60E transmission. However, it ditches the Corvette’s leaf springs in favor of QA1's top-level MOD Series coilovers at all four corners, enhancing both its ride quality and adjustability. The suspension setup ensures that the Blahvette’s stance is as low as its road-hugging performance suggests. “I love how low it sits,” Jamie beams. “People are always amazed that we can drive it this low. It has no body roll and handles like a dream.”
Another challenge arose with the mismatched wheelbase of the Blazer and Corvette platforms—a two-inch difference that required relocation of the Blazer’s wheel wells. But for Jamie and her crew, the headaches were part of the adventure. “We often didn’t know what we were doing,” she admits. “But that’s what made it fun. You get dirty, you make mistakes, and eventually, you figure it out.”
After hanging out at events with her newfound car buddies and watching Frisbie sling his 1985 C10 around the autocross course the last couple of years, Jamie is now ready to dive into competition and and enthusiast road tours herself. The Blahvette made its debut last fall, and will be on hand at LS Fest and with aspirations to tackle the Power Tour and SCCA’s CAM-T autocross series in 2025. And given its hidden underpinnings, it ought to be a legitimate contender. Its low stance and unique appearance have already been drawing admirers to the Blahvette wherever it goes. “We want it to be competitive, but we also love seeing people’s reactions when they realize what it is,” Jamie says. “It’s a truck and a Corvette, and it works.”
The Blahvette also reflects Jamie’s personal growth. From someone who had never held a power tool, she has evolved into a capable builder, welder, and problem-solver. “I’ve learned so much,” she reflects. “This project taught me that the fun lies in not knowing everything, in figuring it out along the way.”
As a self-taught builder who leaned heavily on friends and family, Jamie’s story highlights the importance of community and introducing the next generation of car gals and guys into the automotive world. She also credits her support network, from Tim Davis and the Tredwear crew to the many friends who pitched in during late-night garage sessions. “This wasn’t just a build, it was a team effort,” she emphasizes.
The Blahvette is certainly a rolling conversation piece, and a showcase of the magic that can happen when determination and imagination collide. Whether it’s carving cones on the autocross circuit or drawing a crowd at a car show, Jamie’s creation is the very the spirit of the DIY automotive community—scrappy, resourceful, and unapologetically unique. “This build was really an experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” she says.
What advice would Jamie give to aspiring enthusiasts keen on a creative project like this?
“If you want to do a body swap, I would advise you to lean on your friends who are experts at certain aspects of your build. Listen to their advice and give it a shot. If it doesn't work out, don't give up. Be willing to think outside of the box and be okay with doing things different than everyone else, because at the end of the day you might have a one-of-a-kind vehicle.”
