I was on a mission to find the perfect OBS truck to build, restore, and cruise back to truck shows with. A true throwback to simpler times and a lifestyle I’ve always loved. My search officially kicked off at the beginning of 2024.Â
Back in the day, looking for a used truck or car was a much simpler process. For me, it all started with the Wichita Eagle newspaper’s automotive classified section. If that didn’t yield any gems, we had the monthly Auto Trader magazine. That was the holy grail of used vehicle shopping. The excitement of flipping through those glossy pages, sometimes even seeing color photos of the vehicles, was unmatched. The listings would include a phone number, and if you were interested, you called the owner directly to set up a meetup. No messaging back and forth, no ghosting. It was all about the thrill of the find and the handshake at the end of a good deal.
Fast forward to today, and things are a whole lot different. Those old-school sources are long gone. In their place, we now have a sea of online marketplaces and auction sites, everything from Facebook Marketplace to Bring a Trailer. While there’s a certain convenience in browsing countless listings from your phone, the simplicity and charm of the old hunt are gone. Now you’re navigating pricing algorithms, automated messages, and sometimes shady listings with no soul behind them.
Buying a car today can be both exciting and overwhelming. There’s a flood of options, so it’s important to go in informed. Set a budget. Know what you’re looking for. Do your research on sites like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds to understand current market values and trends. Pay attention to resale value, technology updates, and what other enthusiasts are saying. The more you know, the better the deal you can strike. And the better the ride you’ll drive away in.
For me, the hunt led to Facebook Marketplace, where I came across a 1995 Chevy Silverado that stopped me in my tracks. It was listed as a two-owner truck out of Kansas City, Missouri, in stunningly clean condition. And get this- only 73,000 original miles on the clock. As someone who’s already owned five OBS trucks, I knew I’d found something special. I had always dreamed of owning a Light Blue Quasar Chevy, and this one even came with an all-original blue interior. To top it off, I’d never owned a ’95 before, and I’ve always had a soft spot for them because they retained the 350 TBI motor, paired with the reliable 4L60E transmission.
After a few calls to the owner and a clean Carfax check on the VIN, we got down to price negotiations. Fortunately, the owner was motivated to sell, and we landed on a fair deal. We arranged a meetup for a test drive, and the moment I saw it in person, I was sold. The truck drove like a dream. I knew right then and there this was it.
I’ve dubbed this truck Blue Steel, a nod to that iconic look from Zoolander, because, no joke, people literally stop and stare when I drive by. It’s that kind of head-turner.
This is just the beginning of the journey. In the coming months, I’ll take you along as I transform Blue Steel from a clean stock truck into a full-blown showpiece. From choosing parts to selecting the right shops, this build is going to be something special. I can’t wait to share every step, every mod, and every mile with you. Stay tuned. Blue Steel’s transformation is just getting started.