This has to be one of my favorite unique builds I have come across in my years of being in the automotive industry. This thing caught my eye from across the parking lot and I could immediately tell it was no ordinary K5 Chevy Blazer. Nicknamed “Open Container”, this thing has no roof, no hood and a full roll cage, immediately making you want to know more about this crazy machine. Kari Bahus, of Missouri, didn’t let being a paraplegic stop him from being able to race just like the rest of us. When building the Blazer, he had a full throttle and brake hand control integrated next to the steering wheel to give him full control of everything. The powerplant behind this beast is a 454 Chevy motor that pushes out 700hp. All of that power is run through an air shifted automatic transmission that allows him to run low 11 second passes or drive it on the street wherever he pleases. If that doesn’t scream badass, I don’t know what does. I got to speak with Kari briefly this past weekend at Street Car Takeover in Kansas City. The amount of excitement and optimism in his voice when talking about the Blazer and racing was incredible. He made pass after pass all weekend long in the blistering heat and was loving every second. We can’t wait to see more of this thing in the future!
Video thanks to 1320Video and photos by Kevin Cox
Robert L Bahus
June 20, 2016 at 8:08 pm
Kari spent many a hour laying on the floor building his Blazer. He did all the welding and machine work .This is a young man that at the time of his accident that put him in his chair to him his life was over. As his Dad spent many a day and night praying for him. It’s been a long hard road handicap is a word that he don’t know . My hat is off to him and his great friends that are working to make this dream come true.