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News Desk 8

Recent Posts by News Desk 8:

1969 Chevy C10 - Subtle 454 Restomod

In more ways than one, this Chevy C10 isn't what it seems. Glancing at the front end, you'll see cues that indicate it might be a 1967 or '68 model: the lower-profile hood, "Chevrolet" lettering, and grille style all match these earlier model years. The lack of side markers on the fenders and bedsides would make seem to indicate a '67 model, but the cab's large rear window says it's at least a '68 model, since 1967 trucks had a small rear window.

The owner of this truck — Darin Smith, of Huntington Beach, California — tells us it's actually a 1969 Chevy C10. Darin found the truck out in the California desert, and rebuilt it with a mixture of parts to achieve the look he wanted. He liked the appearance of the '68 front end, so he purchased a replacement hood, grille, and emblems for that model year. The fenders and bedsides bear no side markers, because he liked that clean appearance only found on the '67 trucks.

1970 Camaro - Stealthy Split-Bumper

Here at the Classic Industries Retail Showroom, we often see vehicles you might call "head-turners". They're decked-out in red, yellow, green, or purple paint, airbrushed with stripes or flames, and covered in sparkling chrome galore. However, a few vehicles we see in our parking lot take things in the opposite direction with an understated stealthy look.

At first sight, this 1970 Camaro had us subconsciously humming "Paint it Black" by the Rolling Stones. Every inch of the car's exterior has been blacked-out, from the split bumpers and projector headlamp housings to the steering wheel, Wilwood disc brake calipers, and 19-inch Intro billet wheels wrapped in Pirelli tires.

1967 Camaro SS - Rotisserie Restomod

The term "rotisserie" is often used in a culinary context, such as the whole roasted chickens that you'll find under heat lamps at the grocery store. But you'll also hear the term in the automotive restoration industry. So what does this mean in the context of a classic car?

Fortunately, rotisserie restoration has nothing to do with skewering a car over an open flame — we shudder at the thought. As you may have guessed, rotisserie restoration involves suspending the front and rear of a car on a special rack, and rotating it to access every nook and cranny of the underbody. Short of disassembling and removing the body for a full frame-off restoration, it's one of the best ways to thoroughly restore a vehicle.

This 1967 Camaro SS belongs to Graeme Chapman, of Huntington Beach, California. Graeme bought the car in 2008, and proceeded with a full rotisserie restoration to achieve the stunning results seen here.

1972 Chevy Nova - One-Owner Project Car

Time has a way of changing most things in life. As the years pass, new relationships form, families grow, career paths develop, and hobbies change. That's why it's so impressive to come across a one-owner classic car. Over the course of four and a half decades, most people go through several vehicles. It takes a special individual to stay dedicated to one car for that long.

This 1972 Chevy Nova belongs to D.J. Jimenez of Garden Grove, California. He tells us he is the original owner, and after all this time, he knows every inch of the car. D.J. recently retired, so he plans to utilize some of his newly-acquired free time to restore it.

D.J.'s Nova might not look like it needs much restoration, since he has kept it in excellent shape over the years. The stock 350ci V8 was worn out after 20 years of use, and D.J. dropped in a replacement 350 engine, which has served him well for over 40,000 miles. The car has retained its rare original floor-shift Saginaw 3-speed manual.

1979 Pontiac Trans Am - Frame-Off Restored T/A

In 1980, Pontiac made the difficult choice to drop all large-displacement engines from its Firebird and Trans Am lines as a result of increasing emissions restrictions. This made 1979 the "last hurrah" for the 400ci V8 and 403ci V8. The following model year, they were replaced by the 301ci Turbo and 305ci motors.

This 1979 Pontiac Trans Am belongs to Alfredo Chavarin, of Corona, California. Alfredo has owned the car for about six years, after buying it from the previous owner in decent mechanical condition. The California sun had done a number on the Pontiac's paint, so Alfredo proceeded with a full frame-off restoration.

The Trans Am was repainted in its original shade of silver, and new decals from the Classic Industries Firebird & Trans Am catalog were applied. Alfredo says he still needs few minor parts, including replacement grill hardware, but the project is coming along nicely. He also plans to install a set of reproduction 17-inch wheels for a modernized look.

1972 Chevy Cheyenne - The $1 Pickup

One dollar doesn't get you much these days. You can head down to the local fast food restaurant and buy an item off the value menu, or here in California, you can put about 1/3 gallon of gas in your car. Even at the dollar store, many items you'll find on the shelves cost more than a buck. That's why Robert Henderson, of Costa Mesa, CA, calls his 1972 Chevy Cheyenne the "best deal ever" — he bought it for just $1.

As you might imagine, there's more to the story of this purchase. This truck originally belonged to Robert's grandfather, who bought it brand new in March 1972 for $4,010. Robert's grandfather drove it almost every day for the next 40 years, racking up nearly 500,000 miles. In 2013, he finally decided to let the truck go, and generously passed it on to Robert for a measly $1.

2014 Camaro SS - A Custom Daily-Driver

A classic car doesn't necessarily have to be a certain age to qualify as "classic". A modern vehicle can be a classic in its own right, as long as it develops a die-hard following that will last for generations to come. That's why at Classic Industries, we believe in supporting every generation of the Chevy Camaro. From 1967 to 2017 and beyond, the Camaro has always been an icon of American performance.

With a 6.2 LS3 V8 engine and six-speed manual transmission, this 2014 Camaro SS is a modern take on the American muscle tradition. This car belongs to Bob Castro, of Huntington Beach, California. Bob moved to California from Hawaii, and purchased this Camaro as his daily-driver vehicle shortly afterward.

1967 Chevy Caprice - Pristine Cruiser

While some have jokingly referred to the full-size Chevy coupes and sedans of the late '60s and early '70s as "land yachts", no one can deny that these sleek cruisers exude style. The long hoods, sweeping rear haunches, big V8 engines, and bright chrome trim on these classic Chevy models remind us of a time when extravagance and luxury was par for the course.

The 1967 Chevy Caprice pictured here belongs to Mike Forster, of Fountain Valley, California. Believe it or not, this car is almost entirely unrestored. Mike's uncle purchased the car new from the dealer, and put just 48,000 miles on the car since then.

1971 Camaro Restomod - A Golden Opportunity

Life has many turning points, and we often make decisions only to wonder what might have been if we had chosen a different path. Such was the case with the sale of this 1971 Camaro, now owned by David Kline, of Lakewood, California.

Back in 2003, the car's previous owner was unsure if he should sell it, but he eventually settled on the decision to let it go. David took this opportunity to purchase the then-rough Camaro as a new project, but as the former owner handed over the keys, he already felt a pang of regret.

1970 Plymouth 'Cuda Restoration - Reliving the Sublime

It's always tough to let go of a car you love, but sometimes these decisions become necessary. When we spoke to John Schwarz, of Huntington Beach, California, he told us about the 1970 Barracuda he owned in high school. When he graduated, John didn't want to sell the car, but he also wanted to go to college and improve his job prospects, so he made the tough decision to let it go and put the cash towards his education.

Ever since he sold his first Barracuda, John wanted to find another. In the summer of 2016, his hard work finally paid off, and he was able to purchase the 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda seen here from a friend. Thanks to his patience, he ended up with a car that's even nicer than the one he had back in high school.