Cat-I-gory 6: A Custom Chevy OBS Silverado Built After Two Hurricanes

Chris Hamilton . July 07, 2026 . Features .

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The Truck That Outran Two Hurricanes

August 2020, Hurricane Laura, a Category 4 monster, tore through Lake Charles, Louisiana. Six weeks later, Category 2 Delta followed almost the exact same path. The city lost power for thirty-five days, roofs disappeared, and for Chad Rapee, the insurance money that could have rebuilt his house instead went toward keeping his family sheltered. His prized OBS Silverado, the truck he swore he would never sell, was the first to go.

Four years later, the replacement that rolled out of the same storm-scarred garage carries a name that needs no explanation: Cat-I-gory 6.

What began as a straightforward crew cab Silverado became an act of defiance. Chad, his wife, Emily, and a tight circle of friends turned a $50,000, four-year labor of love into a full-size that lays frame on 24-inch U.S. Mags Conroe 6 wheels—the very first set of that new design debuted on this truck at Lone Star Throwdown. Patrick Reid in San Leon, Texas, laid down the PPG green-and-white paint and the intricate airbrushed graphics that weave a deeper story. The notch cover and hidden panels trace the actual Texas hurricane evacuation routes the Rapee family drove while their city was in ruins. Look closely, and you’ll spot the route symbols tucked into corners of the bodywork and engraved on the steering wheel horn button. Even the dash carries G.E.D., the initials of the family’s three dogs—not a diploma.

Cat-I-gory 6 is more than metal and paint. It is proof that when the storms take everything, what you build on the other side can be stronger, sharper, and more personal than anything you lost.

Under the smoothed and tubbed steel sits a 327 ci engine built from the factory 5.3L block, now wearing 243 heads, Speed Engineering long tubes, and an A2B Performance tune. Endless MetalFab front and rear air suspension kits drop the traditional body-dropped frame flat, while a hydroboost unit borrowed from an Econoline van feeds upgraded brakes. Hand-formed steel bumpers, front and rear, built by Rapee and Reid, blend so seamlessly that the rear roll pan looks factory until you realize the entire bumper section is welded directly to the bed and tailgate skin.

Inside, four leather-and-suede buckets from Delta World Tires & Customs in Houston, a full-length console, and GaugeWerx instruments give the cab a purpose-built feel. The graphics that started on the body continue across the dash and headliner, tying the entire build together.

Rapee is quick to credit the village that made it possible: Patrick and Samantha Reid, Jonathan Barron, Alan Sanchez, Jason Scott, Phil Gamez, and especially Emily, who sacrificed as much as anyone while keeping her own C10 in the stable. Madd Concepts poured countless hours into the details, and the Moss family (Chad, Emilie, and Rori) kept the momentum alive when motivation ran low.

Four years later, the replacement that rolled out of the same storm-scarred garage carries a name that needs no explanation: Cat-I-gory 6.

Cat-I-gory 6 is more than metal and paint. It is proof that when the storms take everything, what you build on the other side can be stronger, sharper, and more personal than anything you lost. For Chad Rapee, the hurricanes came as Category 4 and Category 2. The truck that answered them is unequivocally a 6.

Truck Speces

Engine & Drivetrain

Chevrolet 327 ci (bored 5.3L) small-block
GM 243 cylinder heads
Speed Engineering long-tube headers
2.5-inch exhaust system
A2B Performance tune
Factory 4L60E transmission
Custom two-piece driveshaft

Chassis & Suspension

Stock frame with Endless MetalFab front and rear air suspension kits
Traditional body drop with lowered bucket seats for headroom
KYB Excel-G shocks front and rear
OEM front brakes, upgraded rear (Tahoe swap), hydroboost unit from Econoline van
Narrowed factory rear axle

Wheels & Tires

24×9 (6-inch backspacing) and 24×10 (7-inch backspacing) U.S. Mags Conroe 6 wheels
Lionhart tires

Body & Paint

PPG green/white two-tone paint with extensive airbrushed graphics
Paint and airbrushing by Patrick Reid, San Leon, TX
Traditional body drop
OEM grille
TSK black clear housing headlights
Hand-fabricated all-steel front bumper, molded rear roll pan welded to body with seamless filler panels
Firewall tubs, fender and bed tubs, and hurricane evacuation route graphics hidden throughout paint

Interior & Stereo

Four leather/suede bucket seats
Brown and tan leather/suede upholstery
Interior work by Delta World Tires & Customs, Houston, TX
GaugeWerx gauges
Flashpower steering wheel with custom-engraved horn button
Sony XAV-AX5600 head unit
American Bass 12-inch sub
Custom door pods with coaxial speakers and tweeters
Airbrushed graphics throughout dash and headliner, G.E.D. (family dogs’ initials) on dash

Special Thanks

Patrick and Samantha Reid, Jonathan Barron, Alan Sanchez, Jason Scott, Phil Gamez, Madd Concepts, US Mags, and the Moss family (Chad, Emilie, and Rori)

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Chris Hamilton

Chris Hamilton is an automotive journalist, editor, and lifelong truck enthusiast with extensive experience covering custom truck builds, fabrication, performance upgrades, aftermarket products, and a ...

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