1988 Chevy Silverado 1500 – Christopher B.

In 1987, my father purchased this truck brand new in Eufaula, AL. He had custom ordered a regular cab, standard bed length truck with the basic options. However, due to a mix up they sent him an extended cab, long bed with all the luxury features that could come on a truck in 1987. While the mix up on a custom order was frustrating, he walked away with a better truck at a heck of deal. It was his daily driver until 2002, when he upgraded to a Chevy Avalanche. This truck still ran strong and became our work vehicle at our lake house, hauling trash to the dump and towing boats to and from the lake. Before I even had a license, I was driving the truck to the dump with my dad. At first, he only allowed me to drive to the end of the neighborhood, then to the next stop sign, until finally I started driving all the way to the dump. I looked forward to trash day. Soon, I was pulling trailers with it, and then learning to back trailers up to help my dad launch and recover boats. When I finally got my license it was understood that I would be driving my dad’s old truck: the “Ol’ Grey Mare.” A name of affection, and the only one I’ve ever known for her, for she was a work horse that never quit. Through high school I did small upgrades here and there using money I earned from mowing lawns – removing the “old-man” side steps, upgrading the wheels and tires, and of course adding a more modern sound system. After high school I drove her through college in Colorado and, despite being two-wheel drive, she got me through those snowy days in the Rockies. I met my wife in it and brought her over to the Chevy side through our many dates. Now it even holds a special place in her heart. Eventually, the “Ol’ Grey Mare” deserved some rest. After 290,000 miles it was time to get a new daily driver which allowed me to update her paint and treat her like the classic queen she is. In honor of her title, I kept the grey but gave it a more modern color and officially stamped her so everyone could know her name. She’s still a truck and does her fair share of towing and hauling but now that load is shared. I’ll keep maintaining her with the help of LMC so that one day my kids can learn to drive on it and hopefully continue the legacy of the “Ol’ Grey Mare.”