It’s no secret that the Chevy Silverado is one of, if not the top choice for for many when it comes to pickup trucks. Many first-time truck buyers will look for a used Chevy Silverado for sale, because they are nearly impossible to kill off. Whether you’re looking for used cars or long-lasting trucks, you’ll find many Chevys, specifically the Silverado.
It’s hard for many truck owners to move on when their current pickup is still running strong, because giving up on anything that is fully functional is stupid. Seasoned Chevy drivers often find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place when they can’t find an excuse to get a new vehicle because their Silverado refuses to die. Even with over 200,000 miles, many Chevy trucks won’t give you a reason to doubt their reliability or resiliency.
One of my best friends, James, is the personification of a Chevy truck. When you tell him it’s time to leave the party because it’s getting late, his mind processes that as, “keep going.” He won’t ever give up, and will remain completely fine to do it all again no matter what he gets himself into.
For example, he loves to make new friends. If someone turns down a hug, he will pick them up until they decide to hug back. In the morning he will wake up and go into work to do his job as well as pick up the slack of others. Just like a Chevy Silverado he is engaging in every activity and doing so happily. The story of how he acquired his mechanical companion exemplifies the industrious dependability and resilient capabilities of the pair.
- It all started when he passed a sign that read, “Used Chevy Silverado for Sale!”
- The pathetic pickup James was driving had recently kicked the bucket and this was the best way to spend his paycheck. His co-worker pulled over, and out walked a bald man who had wrinkles deeper than the Mariana Trench. According to James the man’s gray beard brushed the dirt, giving way to well-worn steel toed boots.
- “Hi! I’m James! I saw the truck is for sale. Is it yours? Or who can I talk to about that? I can’t really afford a new-”
- The man snickered, “how old are ya?”
- “Eighteen. I just graduated about a month ago so I want something that will last me a while.”
- “Well, you come off like a Ford guy if you ask me.” James’ coworker became hysterical with laughter, and the man turned to leave.
- “Wait!” said James as he stepped out of his coworker’s Colorado. “I can offer you more than money. What if pave your driveway for you? Or do some tile work inside your house? I can do whatever you need me to do.”
- The man pivoted back, his eyes traveled down to the ripped up Levi’s and then to mildly scuffed boots.
- “What do you do, James?” the man asked.
- “Construction. My father worked in concrete for years.”
- “Want to take her for a test drive?” James shooed away his co-worker and hugged the man, nearly suffocating him.
- James’ gravel covered hands gripped the steering wheel where the natural curves from years of companionship had worn in.
- “So, what’s your name?” he asked the man.
- “Don.”
- “Oh, cool. So did you name your Chevy too? I noticed you said she’s a she.”
- “Yeah.”
- “Well, what is it? Oh! Let me guess!”
- Don’s beady eyes just stared out the window.
- “Is it Sierra? Ashley? Donna? Oh! Was it Dolores?”
- “Dolores was my mother’s name.”
- “Is she dead now? You’re pretty old. It’s okay, my brother’s dead, and he wasn’t really that old. Not that you seem like you’re on your way out or anything.” Don just stared at James.
- “Do you always ask so many questions?” Don asked as the two got out of the truck. He slammed the door shut and James’ gaze lowered to the ground.
- He began to leave, when Don grabbed his shoulder. “My roof needs to be re-shingled, how about you give me a hand with that and we can work the rest out later.”
- “Can I come back tomorrow at this time?”
- Don nodded, “you might need something to get all of the materials here.”
- They looked at the truck, and James handed over the cash from his pay. Don counted out half, and handed it back.
- “Use the rest for my roof.”
- “Are you sure?”
- “Not if you keep asking so many questions.”
- They shook hands before James retreated into the Silverado and drove off happy.
And that’s the story of how a resilient and persistent young man found a used Chevy Silverado for sale and made a friend.
Later on, James drove his new Silverado next to the lineup of other pickup trucks in front of the local tavern.
- With a confident stride, James barged in, “it’s time to celebrate!”
- “Can I see an ID, sir?” the bartender asked.
- “Sure thing!” He dug in his wallet and handed over a plastic card.
- “It says you’re 45.”
- “Yeah, just take a look at my Chevy Silverado!”
- Every husky man sporting a flannel shirt nearly dropped their Coors. One man at the end of the bar rose from his seat, meeting him at eye level.
- “Not surprised a Chevy driver is stupid enough to park it’s trash next to it’s superiors.”
- “I wouldn’t say superior, but yours I guess is cool too,” he shrugged.
- “You guess? Boy you have a lot to learn.”
- “I get that a lot.”
- “Why don’t I teach you a thing or two out in the lot.”
- “That would be super cool! Let’s go!”
- They back up their trucks so the rear ends are facing each other, and the man hitched the two before getting back into the truck.
- “On three!” he yelled from the driver’s side window. James gave a thumbs up.
- “One,” James gripped the wheel as sweat glistened in the sun.
- “Two,” the man yelled with a smirk.
- “Three!”
- Smoke filled the parking lot while jaws of onlookers jaws dropped. The man’s hitch broke off, propelling the Silverado forward into the street dragging the mans hitch with him.
Even among grizzled truck owners with newer pickups that old Silverado still held its own and even managed to make him some new friends.
A ladder leaned against the house when James pulled into the man’s driveway. The man limped out of his house, and helped James unload the bed of the truck.
- “She looks cleaner than when I gave her to you.”
- “I owed it to her because she nearly saved my life.”
- “That’ll happen,” the man chuckled. “My nephew gave me a call last night saying some kid showed up to the bar in my truck.”
- “I’m really sorry, I-”
- “No need, I’m happy. Someone had to challenge those fools.”
The rest of the afternoon was spent re-shingling the man’s roof. They shared stories, insights, laughter and lessons. It was only the first of many projects to come.
To this day
James still has the same Silverado, which has braved many seasons of construction. It has pulled more than its weight in work, hauling tools to every job, without breaking a sweat and without breaking down.
He has never had any issues with wet, icy or snowy roads and boasts, “never once ended up in a ditch myself, but pulled many people of of them during nasty Minnesota blizzards.” He’s lucky to have the Silverado to help him out of numerous situations that only he could get himself into. And he’ll be the first person to tell you to buy every used Chevy Silverado for sale that you see because he knows there’s nothing they can’t handle.
