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Patrick McCarthy

Recent Posts by Patrick McCarthy:

"The King of Towing" - The Big-Block-Powered Suburban 2500

Today, most SUVs are unibody crossovers equipped with small, fuel-efficient engines. But back in the 1990s, during the heyday of General Motors' GMT400 body-on-frame truck and SUV platform, things were done differently. Both Chevrolet and GMC offered their own versions of the heavy-duty 3/4-ton Suburban 2500 with an optional 454ci big-block engine. This was no four-cylinder pushover or six-cylinder commuter — it was the 7.4L V8-powered beast Motor Trend magazine called "the king of towing." And in addition to its towing capacity, it was big enough to carry the whole family in luxurious comfort.

A Mopar Masterpiece: The '71 Plymouth GTX

When you think of a Mopar muscle car, what comes to mind? Many of us envision a top-of-the-line Hemi-powered Charger, Challenger, or 'Cuda — all excellent cars, but their widespread popularity has made them increasingly costly and tricky to find in good condition. This has drawn attention to some of the less prominent Mopar muscle cars, like this restored 1971 Plymouth GTX. "For some, the styling cues weren't that attractive back in the day, but right now in 2023, these are some of the most popular Mopars that you can actually buy," explains Hemmings' video host Mike Musto.

Video: '66 Nova with a 1,000hp Supercharged LS3

Classic looks, modern handling, and a whole lot of horsepower — that's a wonderful combination. Pro-touring builds like this '66 Nova preserve the timeless style of a classic car while adding track-ready handling, braking, and acceleration. Tony, the owner and builder of this car, originally built his Nova with a 430hp V8, but learned that he still wanted more power. So, he swapped in an LS3 engine with a TVS 2650 supercharger that produces approximately 1,000 horsepower.

Video: A Retrospective Review of the 1969 Z/28

If you're shopping for a brand new car, it's easy to find reviews from any number of magazines, websites, and YouTube channels. But what if you're shopping for a classic car? With its new video series "Tested: Muscle," Hemmings set out to create new-car-style reviews of timeless classics. Their goal is "to showcase a bit of history and then dive into what it’s like to own, drive, and experience some of the most coveted stock muscle cars ever produced." We like this concept, and host Mike Musto's review of a pristine 1969 Camaro Z/28 is a great example of how it works.

Roadster Shop's Legend Series 1979 C10 - "A New Truck Wrapped in an Old Truck"

The concept of a "restomod" is essentially a fusion of old and new components, taking the best of both worlds to create a vehicle that drives like a modern car but has all the appeal of a classic. Roadster Shop's latest in-house project, a 1979 Chevy C10 nicknamed Ole Blue, is a beautiful example of a high-end restomod. By pairing a completely new chassis and Chevrolet drivetrain with the timeless body and interior of this '79 Chevy, the company created what they call "a new truck wrapped in an old truck."

Almost Lost Forever: The Story of the First Camaro

Many of of our favorite stories involve a redemption arc, where the protagonist falls from grace, goes through a rough patch, and eventually emerges victorious. Such is the story of the very first Camaro officially produced by Chevrolet. This Camaro, which features VIN N100001, was built in secret in May of 1966 and kept under lock and key until the unveiling of the Camaro to the press a few months later. But in the years that followed, it was sold several times, turned into a race car, and nearly faded into obscurity.

Roadster Shop's 1,600 Horsepower Buick Grand National

What do you get when you squeeze two more cylinders, nearly double the displacement, and a second turbo into the engine bay of a 1987 Buick Grand National? In the case of Roadster Shop's custom '87 GN,  you get six and a half times the original power output. Yes, you read that right. The original 3.8L turbocharged V6 in this car produced 245hp, which made it very quick compared to most other cars of its era. The car seen here produces more than 6.5 times as much power with its 1,600hp 7.0L twin-turbo V8.

Rare 1971 'Cuda 440 Convertible Sold for $800,000

We've always known our classic cars are special and valuable, but it's interesting to see just how valuable some of them have become in recent years. Auctions of especially rare or noteworthy vehicles have run far into the six-figure range, and some have even broken the million-dollar mark. This 1971 Plymouth 'Cuda convertible, equipped with a 440 Six-Pack engine and 4-speed transmission, recently sold for a whopping $800,000 at a Hemmings collector car auction. On top of its beautiful condition, this car has a pretty cool story behind it.

1955, 1956, & 1957 Chevy Colors and Paint Codes - Solid Colors & Two-Tones

In a recent blog post, we provided a comprehensive guide to interior trim codes for 1955-57 Chevy cars. This week, we're moving our focus from the interior of the vehicle to the exterior. Tri Five Chevy cars were offered in a wide range of eye-catching paint colors and two-tone color combinations, and these options changed with each model year. Read on for a guide to identifying 1955, 1956, and 1957 Chevy colors and paint codes.

Many of the reference photos in this article are courtesy of Mecum Auctions.

1947-1959 Chevy Truck Model Years Identification Guide (2024 Update)

Chevrolet trucks have changed a lot over the years, with each model year and generation offering unique features that helped them redefine what a pickup was capable of. Classic Industries is committed to supplying owners of these timeless pickups with restoration parts, but we're also committed to preserving their legacy. To this end, we've updated our visual guide to help you identify Chevy truck model years and learn about their differences. In this article, we'll cover 1947-1959 Chevrolet trucks one year at a time so you can identify year-to-year changes and new features.