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Patrick McCarthy

Recent Posts by Patrick McCarthy:

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.

Danchuk 1955-57 Chevy Parts Still Available at Classic Industries

In 1976, Classic Industries started from a humble beginning selling reproduction carpet kits for the first-generation Camaro. That very same year, our friends at Danchuk started producing their very first 1955-57 "Tri-Five" Chevy restoration part (a '57 park light lens). Over the decades, both companies have grown in parallel. In 2012, we began working together when we introduced our 1955-57 Chevy catalog containing several parts manufactured by Danchuk. This week, Danchuk announced that it will no longer be selling parts directly to consumers, but don't worry! Classic Industries will continue to carry and sell the Danchuk Chevy 150, 210, Bel Air parts you know and love.

1947-2013 Chevy Truck Generations - Quick Reference Guide

Over the course of more than six decades from 1947 to 2013, Chevrolet trucks went through many changes. The most substantial of these changes serve as the dividing lines between Chevy truck generations. If you're a classic truck enthusiast, you're probably able to spot these body style cues and recall the corresponding model year ranges, or even their designations such as Advance Design and Task Force. However, those who are new to classic trucks may not be so well-versed. With this in mind, we put together a clear and concise visual guide to 1947-2013 Chevy truck generations.

1965-1969 Impala & Full Size Chevy Identification Guide

If you're a fan of the Impala and other Full Size Chevy classic cars, you may have already read our 1958-1964 Impala Identification Guide. That article included illustrations scanned from the original GM documentation, in order to help you spot the differences between these vehicles. Today, we'll provide a similar visual guide to the 1965-1969 Impala, as well as related Chevrolet models such as the Biscayne, Bel Air, and Caprice. From potent Super Sport muscle cars to practical family sedans and wagons, this era of Full Size Chevy vehicles had it all.

Buick Regal T-Type & Turbo T: The Grand National's Turbo Siblings

The Buick GNX was General Motors' ultimate turbocharged variant of the G-Body Buick Regal, and a mere 547 original GNXs were produced in 1987. Due to the difficulty and expense involved in finding an all-original GNX today, many classic car buyers and restorers have sought out its closest sibling, the Grand National. However, this wasn't the only other high-performance, turbocharged Regal variant. In this article, we'll take a look back at two other performance-oriented, forced-induction Buick Regal models, the Regal T-Type and Turbo T.

1958-64 Impala Identification Guide & Model Year Changes

The Chevy Impala is one of General Motors' most famous and recognizable vehicles, thanks to its widespread appeal. There's an Impala / Full Size Chevy model for almost everyone, from wagons and sedans with room for the whole family to two-door Super Sport models with exhilarating performance and handling. If you're not already an expert on the Impala, you might not know all the design cues and changes that separate one model year from the next, so we've created a simple 1958-64 Impala identification guide that shows the front, rear, and side profile of each year. With this guide, you should have a much easier time spotting Impalas in the wild!

1955-57 Chevy Bel Air, 210, and 150 Production Numbers - How Many Were Built?

From 1955 through 1957, Chevrolet produced the series of iconic vehicles that enthusiasts now refer to as Tri Five Chevy models. More than one million of these cars rolled off the assembly line every year to be distributed throughout North America and the rest of the world. However, as with any car, certain body styles and trim levels were common while others were rare. This is relevant to anyone who wishes to buy or restore a classic Chevy 150, 210, or Bel Air today, since it means that some variants will be easier to find than others. Read on as we take a look at the production numbers for each Tri Five Chevy sub-model.

How to Identify Classic Dodge and Plymouth A, B, and E-Body Vehicles

Back in the 1960s and 1970s, Dodge and Plymouth produced some truly fantastic vehicles, which many enthusiasts now refer to as Mopar cars. Classic Dodge models such as the Dart, Charger, and Challenger, and Plymouth models such as the Valiant, Barracuda, and Road Runner, are timeless icons of that era. However, if you're new to Mopar cars, it can be difficult to tell the difference between model years and platforms (the A-body, B-body, and E-body). That's why we've created an illustrated reference guide to help you identify classic Dodge and Plymouth cars.