Pushing the Limits of the Colorado Platform

WORDS BY DEVAN ENCE

PHOTOS BY PHILIP LABA

If you’ve ever seen a bright yellow Chevrolet Colorado crawling over rock ledges with a genuine school bus stop sign swinging out, chances are it belongs to Philip Laba. His 2018 Colorado Z71, affectionately known as The Magic School Bus, is far from your average mid-size pickup. What started as a simple way to haul mountain bikes has evolved over seven years into a full-fledged adventure rig capable of camping, crawling, and tackling thousands of miles of backcountry road.

Philip’s approach wasn’t one of instant gratification. As a college student and engineering mind, he approached each modification with research and restraint, balancing capability with budget. The current result? Over $41,000 invested in modifications, and a truck that’s still evolving.