Blackberry Smoke 900-HP K5 Blazer Roars at SEMA

A Bold Presence at SEMA 2025

Hogan Built’s 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer, nicknamed “Blackberry Smoke,” drew a steady crowd at the 2025 SEMA Show. The truck delivered a commanding stance and a finish that broadcast craftsmanship at every turn. While its silhouette stayed true to the original Blazer, nearly everything else pushed the classic into modern territory.

Builder Dan Hogan and his team approached the project with a clear mission: combine muscle, refinement, and usability. As a result, the Blazer presented the toughness of an off-road rig with the polish of a high-end showpiece. The name “Blackberry Smoke” fit the look and the attitude, hinting at deep color, serious power, and a touch of drama.

However, this Blazer was not just about a single headline. Instead, it revealed a steady stream of small, clever ideas. Each detail supported a cohesive theme, and each system worked to enhance the whole.

Built on Proven Foundations

Underneath the classic body, a Roadster Shop chassis set the tone. This modern foundation is known for stiffness, consistent geometry, and precise handling. Therefore, it gave the vintage SUV the backbone it needed for both power and control. Fox suspension hardware added the next layer, offering travel and tuning for real-world terrain as well as on-road stability.

Wheel and tire choices balanced purpose and style. The team bolted on 17-inch KMC beadlock wheels wrapped in chunky BFGoodrich all-terrain rubber. Beadlocks secure the tire to the rim, which can help at lower pressures on rough ground. Consequently, the Blazer looked ready for dirt while still maintaining a composed, show-ready stance.

Taken together, the chassis, suspension, and rolling stock signaled intent. This was not a prop. It was a vehicle built to be driven, and driven hard, whether on the street or down a trail.

Details That Elevate the Design

Beyond the chassis, the Blazer showcased thoughtful design flourishes. The chromed billet trim housed illuminated shadowboxes, a touch that blended jewelry-like precision with subtle lighting. Moreover, specially designed retractable side steps emerged cleanly from the rockers. They looked almost invisible when stowed, yet they appeared exactly when needed.

Inside, the cabin carried a coordinated theme. Textures and colors worked together rather than competing for attention. Even better, the headliner featured Rolls-Royce-like fiber optic lighting. That starry-sky effect added calm and theater in equal measure, elevating the interior from attractive to memorable.

The fit and finish showed careful planning. Seams lined up. Materials felt deliberate. And the lighting plan tied the design together. In short, the truck celebrated restraint and precision as much as it showcased power.

Power With a Supercharged Edge

Don Hardy Race Cars handled the powertrain, starting with Chevrolet’s LS3 6.2-liter V8. The team added headers and strapped on a Whipple supercharger. With those upgrades, the engine delivered a claimed 900 horsepower. That figure sits well beyond factory C6 Corvette output and places the Blazer in rare air for a streetable classic.

With a blower like that, throttle response should feel immediate, while the characteristic supercharger whine adds its own soundtrack. Additionally, the exhaust likely underscores the truck’s intent with a deep, assertive note. Even so, the package aimed for balance as much as brute force. Strong foundations and sorted suspension make that kind of power usable rather than unruly.

As a result