The Chevy Impala has been associated with the lowrider subculture since its inception, and it's easy to see why. With its long, elegant body, abundant chrome trim, powerful V8 engine options, and smooth ride, the Impala was born to cruise and look good doing it. Hydraulics have always been popular in the lowrider scene, but the development of modern air suspension systems provides a smooth-riding alternative to hydros.

1973 marked a turning point in the history of the automobile. Increasing restrictions on tailpipe emissions had already begun to impact horsepower ratings, and new crash protection safety standards led to increases in the size and weight of vehicles. Then, in October of '73, the OPEC oil embargo would cause fuel prices to skyrocket. Despite these challenges facing the muscle car segment, fun and exciting cars could still be found if you knew where to look.

Every project vehicle has a beginning and, as the saying goes, Rome wasn't built in a day. Although we see plenty of complete builds with every last nut and bolt replaced, we also see quite a few in-progress builds, and we find these equally interesting. A partially-completed project tells a story about the journey it has been on as well as the intended destination.

1955 was an important year for Chevrolet. It marked the first year of the iconic model that would eventually become known by fans as the Tri Five. The top-trim version of this Chevy model was the Bel Air, which could be ordered as either a standard two-door "post" version with a B-pillar at the midpoint of the roof, or a pillarless "hardtop" version. The '55 Bel Air also featured extra chrome trim and a selection of more than a dozen eye-catching two-tone color combinations.

In December 1960, Chevrolet announced the introduction of the Impala Super Sport for the 1961 model year. With this new trim level came a potent new 409-cubic-inch V8 engine that would catapult the Impala into a new era of high performance.

1960 was a unique year for the Chevy Impala. That year, it followed the aggressive aircraft-inspired look of the 1959 model but preceded the more subdued 1961 redesign. As a result, its styling falls somewhere in between the two. It retains the prominent "bat wing" rear fins, but pairs them with a sleeker front grille, and replaces the '59 model's large teardrop tail lamps with three conical lamps on each side.

We appreciate all styles of automotive restoration, from high-tech restomod builds to original-style restoration projects. But when it comes to the latter category, we're especially fond of cars that stay true to their original styling and are also daily-driven. Rolling down the highway looking just like they did brand-new, these vehicles are like time capsules on four wheels, and they take us back to a wonderful time in automotive history.

As production of the groundbreaking first-generation Pontiac Firebird wrapped up after three successful years, GM would continue to sell the original F-body cars throughout 1969 and into the earlier months of 1970. Then, partway through the year, the automaker introduced the second-generation Firebird. As a result, some would call this new car a "1970 1/2" model.

With its quad headlamps and distinctive crosshair-shaped grill, the 1967-72 GMC pickup truck diverges slightly from the appearance of its more-common Chevy sibling. These trucks exude classic style, even today, making them a popular choice for restoration projects.

Every classic car has a story, and this is one reason they're so intriguing to us. Sometimes when we photograph customer car in our Retail Showroom parking lot, the owner has a few photos, documents, or anecdotes to help share that history with us. But TJ, the owner of this Butternut Yellow 1967 Nova, had more than that. In fact, he handed us a typed statement that told us all about his Nova ownership experience.