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Giveaway #37 Winner Profile:

Robert D. and the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado Z71

Robert D. was on paternity leave, adjusting to life with a newborn, when an unfamiliar number appeared on his phone. The Staten Island UPS worker answered and heard 717 Supply Founder Mike Hyssong’s voice on the other end. After confirming that Robert had entered for a red truck, Hyssong delivered news that momentarily rivaled the recent birth. “You just won our red truck. This is gorgeous—I mean, this thing is so sick, dude.” Robert's reaction was immediate disbelief. “Oh my god. I won?” Hyssong assured him the win wasn’t a joke, and the situation became more real.

The $30 entry pack was purchased on Christmas Day, a modest investment Robert made with little expectation. “I just put in for it just to see,” he explained. His motivation was practical rather than aspirational. “I have a newborn that was just born, and the wife has her truck. I have a Mustang. I can’t just drive a Mustang,” he remarked.

Robert had been following Hyssong’s Street Speed 717 content on YouTube for years, occasionally entering for Corvette Z06 giveaways without success. The 1998 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 represented a necessity more than a want. “Down the road, it got me something that I actually needed. So it’s a win no matter what.”

 

His best friend, Michael, was at work when Robert’s text arrived claiming he’d won. “Bro, I just won a red truck from Mike,” the message read. The friend’s response was predictable skepticism: “No way. That’s impossible. You’re lying to me.” When Robert sent the video of Hyssong’s call, Michael lost composure at his job. “I was at work, and I just started jumping. Everyone thought I was crazy.”

Hyssong noted during the notification call that Robert seemed more excited than the winners of six-figure supercars. “Super excited. More excited than the winners who win a $100,000 car,” Hyssong observed. The comment captured something genuine—Robert’s enthusiasm came from need meeting opportunity rather than fantasy fulfillment.

When asked whether he’d take the truck or cash option, Robert didn’t hesitate. “Honestly, I would love the truck.” Hyssong appreciated the response. “I figured that, because if you’re entering for something like this, I feel like you’re an enthusiast and you want the truck."

 

The drive from New York to 717 Supply’s Pennsylvania headquarters brought Robert and his friend to see the build in person. At the first sight of the lifted red Silverado, Robert’s composure evaporated. “Oh, that’s awesome, bro. This is insane.”

The garage-kept condition impressed everyone present. “It smells brand new,” Robert noted after settling into the driver’s seat. The mint dashboard, original window sticker, and ultra-low mileage all confirmed the truck’s careful previous ownership.

 

Robert’s plans prioritize practical use over preservation. “I’m probably going to keep the truck. It’s something that I really need to get me around work and stuff like that.” 

His advice carries the conviction of someone still processing his unexpected good fortune: “You’ve got to be in it to win it. Seriously, $30. I mean, it’s so crazy. I can’t even believe it.”

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About the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado Z71

In person, the truck exceeded what the photos conveyed. “I can’t believe this is mine, bro," Robert said while examining the BDS lift kit, Baja Legend MTZ tires, and red-on-red color scheme. Climbing into the cab drew another reaction: “This is so high up. I’m going to have to climb in this thing.”

Robert’s Silverado represents what 717 Supply Founder Mike Hyssong calls “a true survivor”—a garage-kept, two-owner family truck with 67,000 original miles. The father-son ownership history in Buffalo, New York, preserved the truck’s condition to the point that the undercarriage required only a paint coating rather than a heavy undercoating to hide flaws. “The thing was spotless,” Hyssong noted.

 

The truck left the factory in 1998 with an MSRP of $19,655, equipped with a Vortec 5.7-liter V8 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Standard features included a locking rear differential with 3.73 gearing, four-wheel ABS, trailering equipment, and heavy-duty cooling. Interior features include cloth bench seating, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and locks, and an AM/FM stereo.

Hyssong’s modifications centered on a six-inch BDS lift kit—chosen for its complete spindle replacement rather than relying only on drop brackets. The system includes new upper control arms, steel-braided brake lines, new shocks, tie-rod extensions, and sway-bar end links. The engineering maintains proper CV angles, avoiding the compromised geometry common in cheaper lift installations.

Period-correct Pro Comp 15x14 wheels, wrapped in Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ 35x12.50R15 tires, fill the fenders without rubbing, even at full steering lock. The red-on-red aesthetic carries through from the exterior paint to the interior upholstery, creating a cohesive look.

 

The preserved original window sticker, the factory cubby for wheel lock key storage, and the mint dashboard, free of cracks, all reinforce the truck’s careful history. Hyssong walked through the modifications during the reveal.