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Patrick McCarthy

Recent Posts by Patrick McCarthy:

Video: Hemmings "Square Body Rehab" '87 Silverado Restomod

Historically, pickup trucks have typically been viewed as utilitarian workhorses with a rugged design and no frills. But by the late 1980s, this perception was changing. Automakers introduced more luxurious trim levels with improved interiors and creature comforts, such as the 1987 Chevy Silverado seen here. Hemmings produced a six-part "Square Body Rehab" video series in which they restored and modified this Silverado R10  — the designation for the outgoing '87 body style (formerly known as a C10) during the transition to the all-new 1988 Silverado.

Video: A Fighter Pilot's 1965 Mustang Project

Classic car restoration projects are a labor of love, and they often take several years or even decades to complete. For Rodger, the owner of this '65 Mustang, completing the restoration was something he had been waiting for since he was 14 years old. After enlisting in the Air Force, it got put on hold for many years, but he was eventually able to revisit it and build the Mustang of his dreams. Autotopia LA met up with him and documented the build in a recent YouTube video.

Macho Trans Am: How Two Brothers Made the Second-Gen T/A Fast Again

The late 1970s were a difficult time to be a performance car enthusiast. Following the OPEC oil embargo and the introduction of much more restrictive emissions requirements, American gearheads watched their favorite muscle cars wither away. The roaring big-block V8s of the early '70s were either discontinued or choked down to horsepower figures that seemed almost insulting. The EPA even blocked dealers from offering special engine-swapped models like the famous 427ci Camaros from Yenko, Baldwin, and Nickey. However, one Arizona-based Pontiac dealer found a workaround to produce a significantly faster 1977-80 Trans Am called the Macho Trans Am.

Mopar Connection: 1968 Road Runner Electrical System Restoration

Compared to modern cars that are loaded with touchscreen displays, multiple computer modules, and high-tech safety features, classic cars have extremely simple electrical systems. However, even though they're simple, they can still degrade over time and cause serious problems. Our friends over at Mopar Connection magazine found some electrical gremlins and ugly "quick fixes" on their 1968 Road Runner, so they reached out to us for some restoration parts to get the battery and electrical system back to good working order.

Video: James May Drives the 1969 Ford Torino

If you're an automotive enthusiast, the name James May should sound familiar. As one of the three hosts of the legendary BBC TV series "Top Gear" and later "The Grand Tour" on Amazon Prime, he has driven and reviewed a greater variety of vehicles than almost anyone. He's also well known as someone who has a deep appreciation for the classics, with a collection that has included vintage vehicles from Rolls Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Triumph, Porsche, and Ferrari. In a recent episode on his YouTube channel, he drives and reminisces about a uniquely American classic: the 1969 Ford Torino convertible.

Video: Jay Leno Drives a "Golden Era" 1969 Camaro Z/28

"To me, this is the golden era of the Camaro," said legendary car collector and restoration enthusiast Jay Leno. "I think it's the prettiest one, the most focused... Just beautiful lines, and nothing it didn't need to have." While we love every generation of Camaro, we can certainly agree with Jay that the 1969 Z/28 is truly something special. It's nice to watch him reminisce about everything GM did right with this car, which is owned by bestselling author Glenn Stearns.

Video: Garage Built 1971 Mustang Project

When it comes to restoring a classic car, there are two schools of thought. Some owners prefer to take the car to a restoration shop and let the pros do most of the work. There's nothing wrong with that plan, but for owners who have a tighter budget and more spare time, it often makes sense to take a "do it yourself" approach. That's exactly what Omar Guevara, the owner of this '71 Mustang Fastback, did after buying this car from his father. The result is a cool streetable classic Mustang that didn't break the bank.

Chrysler Turbine Car: An Experimental Vehicle for the Jet Age

Ever since the earliest days of the automobile, manufacturers have been experimenting with alternatives to the tried-and-true four-stroke internal combustion engine. Some notable alternative powertrains include the Wankel rotary, hydrogen fuel cell, and plug-in battery-powered electric motor. But back in the early 1960s, Chrysler released a vehicle with a drivetrain that seemed truly out of this world: the Turbine Car. Powered by an A-381 turbine that could run on unleaded gas, diesel, kerosene, or JP-4 jet fuel, it was a true "alternative fuel" vehicle. And it wasn't just a one-off concept — 50 cars were built and released to the public.

IROC Rehab 2.0: Hemmings Returns to its 1987 Camaro IROC-Z Project

Two years ago, our friends at Hemmings reached out to us for help with their 1987 Camaro IROC-Z restoration project. This project, which would later become known as IROC Rehab, took a worn-out third-gen Camaro and revitalized it over the course of a six-video series. The car received a new Edelbrock crate motor, manual transmission, and tons of interior and exterior parts from the Classic Industries catalog. This month, Hemmings unveiled the first episode of IROC Rehab Season 2, where the car will receive even more upgrades and a full QA1 suspension kit.

Muscle Meets Flower Power: The History of Dodge & Plymouth's Rare "Mod Top" Option

The 1960s were a weird and wonderful time to be a car enthusiast. In addition to serving as the beginning of the muscle car era, this decade brought bold and colorful new styling to all of the "Big Three" American car brands. Arguably, the Dodge and Plymouth Mopar cars were at the forefront of this movement with head-turning High Impact paint colors and more unusual options like the one we'll be discussing today. The Mod Top option added one of three vibrant floral print patterns in place of a solid-color vinyl roof, and could even be extended to the interior upholstery.