DEFEND YOUR RIDE: LeRon At The Billy Goat Tavern
"All that I drive are GM cars. Nothing else."
- The Ride
- The Driver: LeRon
- Car in Question: 2005 Pontiac Grand Am
- Spotted at: Billy Goat Tavern, 1535 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60607
- Odometer: 125,000
- Car's Nickname: The Silver Bullet
THE DEFENSE
Q: What brings you here today?
A: Grabbing something to eat on my way home from school. This is only the second time I've been here. It's close to my school, Malcolm X College. I thought I would drop in real quick and eat before I go back home.
Q: Why did you pick a Pontiac Grand Am?
A: I've always driven GM cars. That's all I drive are GM cars. Nothing else.
Q: What do you like so much about GM cars?
A: If something goes wrong with it, it's easy to work on.
Q: Would you ever contemplate not getting a GM?
A: Doubt it.
Q: Will it always be a Grand Am?
A: No. I've had a Grand Prix and Monte Carlo, before I had this car. The car doesn't really matter to me, as long as it's a GM.
Q: What's the craziest place you've ever been?
A: Detroit.
Q: What happened?
A: Well, I don't really know if I can speak of it, but it was a weekend full of drinking, which had interesting results.
Q: If you could give your car a nickname, what would it be?
A: I've never thought about it before, but I would probably call it the Silver Bullet because it's silver and I drive it like a bat out of hell. I've topped off before, maybe at about 115 or 120 on I-57. I was on my way to Lincoln Mall. Even though it's a major highway, if you get on at the right time of day, it's not busy. You can go fast.
Q: What is your dream car?
A: My dream car is a 1967 Pontiac GTO or 1967 Shelby GT.
Q: Are both of those cars made by GM?
A: No, the GT is a Ford. I'm breaking my rule, but that's the only exception to the rule.
Q: Do you have any rules for your car?
A: No eating, no smoking.
Q: Do you break those rules yourself?
A: No! I don't even have ashtrays in my car. I hate cigarette smoke, and you always find food in the creases of your seat when you eat in your car.
Q: Do you listen to your radio in your car?
A: Usually I listen to my iPod on my phone. I rather hear that than the outside noise or the air conditioning. I put my earphones in my ear and listen to just about anything. I have everything on my iPod: Phil Collins to James Brown, Johnny Taylor to Fred Hammond.
Q: What is your philosophy on your car?
A: Any car I get has to have a sunroof.
Are you ready to Defend Your Ride? If so, email localautos@cbs.com with "Defend Your Ride Chicago" in the subject line for submission details.
Photos and interview by Nicolette Chambers