Certain things in life just seem to naturally go together. Burgers and fries, American cars and V8 engines, country music and pickup trucks. Yet another of these iconic pairings is surfers and station wagons. It has almost become a cultural cliché to see the image of a classic Woodie wagon with a surfboard on top, overlooking the beach and distant waves. With the versatility, roominess, and flat-out cool factor of classic station wagons, it's no wonder why they have become the ride of choice for the surfer subculture.

We've said it before and we'll say it again—here at Classic Industries, we love seeing our customers' cars, and learning their stories. Whether it's a simple Facebook message saying "Thanks for the parts!" or a mailed multi-page build sheet with printed-out photos, it always makes us smile to see what customers are doing with the restoration parts we supply. It really is the best part of our job.

Over the course of the last decade, southern California has become what some might call "the land of the Prius". The region's beach cities, suburbs, and sprawling freeway traffic jams are always packed with tiny hybrid economy cars. As lovers of the V8 and classic American muscle, we sometimes feel a little rebellious roaring past the slow-moving hatchbacks, but we recently met someone who takes this counter-cultural spirit to a whole new level. Enter Donnille Leubner and his massive Chevy C3500 dually. If owning the road sounds appealing, this is the rig for you.

Every classic car has a story behind it—it's one of our favorite things about these vintage machines. Some have been bought, sold, abandoned, restored, and customized multiple times throughout their lifetimes. Others are left to rust for decades at a time, only to be later discovered and finally appreciated. Others, still, are meticulously cared for by their original owners from day one.

We've always been big fans of the Plymouth Barracuda, especially in its final 1970-74 iteration. The sleek lines, wide stance, variety of potent engine choices, and vibrant color options made it a strong contender in the muscle car era. So, when we saw this lean, green resto-modded Barracuda pull into our showroom parking lot, we knew we had to check it out.

No matter who you are or what your upbringing was like, it's likely that you remember your first time driving a fast car. It's a feeling of heart-stopping exhilaration to put your foot to the floor, hear the engine roar to life, and feel yourself thrust forward as the tires scream for mercy. The experience is so life-changing that it even transcends generations, as the pursuit of speed passes from parents to their children.

One of our favorite aspects of classic trucks is the diversity of their designs. Unlike today's trucks, which seem to have become relatively boxy and homogeneous, these vintage models often feature distinctive styling cues and sleek aircraft-inspired lines. Now that trucks have become all about masculinity and "tough" looks, observing the smooth curves of a 1950s pickup is like a breath of fresh air.

One of the biggest difficulties with classic cars is the fact that they're rarely viewed as classics until most of them are already gone. That seemingly ordinary beater rusting away in a scrap yard may someday become something priceless, but by that point, the elements will have already taken their toll on it. This catch-22 is especially applicable to pickup trucks, many of which are viewed as boring, utilitarian work vehicles—until they eventually gain appreciation as classics. Then, suddenly everyone is scrambling to find clean examples to restore and show off.

No matter what your automotive background is, the term "SS" is immediately recognizable as a sign of high performance. Super Sport—it's a name that means exactly what it says. Everyone knows and loves the Camaro SS, Nova SS, Chevelle SS, and El Camino SS, but none of these models were the first to bear the designation. In fact, it was a model that many at the time would have considered to be more luxury cruiser than sports coupe—the Impala.