Shining Silverado

SAM HARTLEY HAD ALWAYS WANTED A GMT400, SINCE HIS DAD OWNED TWO OF THEM WHEN SAM WAS GROWING UP. On his way to buy one to serve as his first truck, Sam and his father spotted this ’97 Chevrolet Silverado at a small dealership. The two went to check out other trucks, but

Sam knew instantly it was the Silverado extended cab shortbed for him.

While his work was originally focused on showing off the clean factory truck at car shows, Sam quickly caught the bug and has been working on the ’97 ever since. The factory 350 Vortec motor remains, dealing out 255 hp and 275 ft-lb of torque. GM factory rallyes from a 1973-87 GM truck have replaced the Silverado’s original footwear.

Sam has stripped and powdercoated them in the original Argent Silver for a classic look. Finished to provide shine and protection, these babies are wrapped in 265/70R15 BFG Long Trail T/A tires that stand larger than stock and fill up the wheel wells for a beefier profile. The center caps are NOS and intended for the steel sport wheels of the GMT400, giving Sam the style he loves from both trucks.

Currently, the exterior, interior and suspension remain stock, and Sam occupies himself with maintaining their just-driven-offthe-lot quality, but he hasn’t crossed out any possibilities for this build. With a DJM drop in its future, as well as a roll-up bed cover, a paint job for his newly discovered NOS tailgate, and the purchase of a new Chevrolet band, it’s clear that Sam doesn’t plan on quitting these mods any time soon.