Among the rich and famous, there are many who have nice cars, but far fewer who seem to be true automotive enthusiasts. From what we've seen, renowned podcast host and comedian Joe Rogan falls into the latter category. In a previous article, we wrote about his gorgeous black 1969 Camaro built by Roadster Shop. That car features an 860-horsepower LSA V8 and a manual transmission. Rogan was clearly pleased with how it turned out, since he also handed over the keys to his custom 1970 Plymouth Cuda. The stunning results of this build were documented in a recent video by Autotopia LA.

This article's topic may be a sore subject for some readers. There are likely to be several gotchas in this list, where a gearhead or two (or several thousand for that matter) might have rushed headlong into purchasing and starting a classic car renewal project that goes awry and is hopelessly stalled. It's not something to beat yourself up about. It's called being human and making mistakes. Don't let the fear of making a boo boo or two get in your way of reading this article for some helpful hints on getting your old car project going or restarted. If you keep these muscle car restoration mistakes in mind, you won't fall victim to them in the future.

Our lead photo of a restored Lemon Twist yellow 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda is courtesy of Mecum Auctions.

The Most Common Muscle Car Restoration Mistakes

"Don't judge a book by its cover." This old adage is true in many aspects of life, and it's certainly true when it comes to cars. For proof, look no further than this '55 Chevy 3100 truck featured in a recent video from AutotopiaLA. The staggered billet wheels and lowered stance reveal it has some modifications, but you probably wouldn't expect this truck to be producing roughly 1,000 horsepower from a twin-turbo 5.3L LS engine.

Jay Leno is the kind of guy who can buy just about any car he wants, from rare early automobiles to high-tech supercars. So, when he says "ooh, I like this thing" with a grin, you know it's truly something special. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Leno shows off an immaculately restored '68 Dodge Dart GTS he purchased from the original owners. The car is powered by a 383ci V8 and four-speed manual — Leno notes, "This is exactly what I would've gotten when I graduated from high school."

Sometimes in life, when an item is lost, it's gone forever. But on a few rare occasions, we're given another chance to recover what we lost, and that only makes it feel more valuable. Dominick Tomaino picked up his first '68 Charger R/T from a Dodge dealership in Glendale, California on January 30th, 1968. After many years of enjoyment behind the wheel, he sold the car, but quickly regretted it. By 1972, he was actively searching for the car to buy it back. Then, he stumbled upon this one-owner '68 Charger that, in an almost poetic twist of fate, was built on January 30th, 1968. Although it wasn't the exact same car, he had found his second chance to own a '68 Charger R/T.

Everybody loves a good comeback story, whether it relates to a real person, a fictional character, or even a classic car. The revitalization of this 1979 Camaro is a perfect example. After spending many years in hibernation, it's back on the road and running strong. Its new owner, Youtuber Dylan McCool, bought it and quickly cleaned it up in preparation for a 1,500-mile journey on the 2023 Hot Rod Power Tour. We're glad to see another second-gen Camaro restored and smoking its tires again!

If you've ever owned or even considered buying a 1987-93 Fox Body Mustang, you know one of the biggest cosmetic issues with these cars is the dry-rot that attacks the quarter windows. These window assemblies are infamously surrounded by what is typically a faded, pitting, and often separating seal around the outer edge. 

The time has come to say farewell to the sixth-generation Camaro, but sadly, General Motors has announced that the 2024 model year is the end of the line for the Camaro... at least for now. "As we prepare to say goodbye to the current generation Camaro, it is difficult to overstate our gratitude to every Camaro customer," said Scott Bell, Vice President of Chevrolet. Bell continued, "While we are not announcing an immediate successor today, rest assured, this is not the end of Camaro’s story." Although this creates a sense of uncertainty for the future of Chevrolet's iconic vehicle, we know one thing for sure: the Camaro will live on forever through the dedicated fans who preserve and restore their classic cars for future generations to enjoy.

What do you get when you transplant the supercharged 6.2L heart of a C7 Corvette Z06 into a 1969 Camaro? The answer is a vehicle that's capable of melting a set of 13-inch-wide rear tires in the blink of an eye. Pair that with high-performance coilover suspension, big brakes, custom bodywork, carbon fiber accents, and black leather upholstery, and you've got a show-stopping build on your hands. In a new video, YouTube channel AutotopiaLA takes a closer look at this awesome pro-touring 1969 Camaro built by Lakeside Speed & Shine in Arizona.

Development of the second-generation 1963-1967 C2 Corvette began in the mid to late 1950's. Ed Cole, Chevrolet's General Manager, called it the "Q-Corvette" project. To achieve better handling, the chassis would have a four-wheel independent suspension system. It should also have four-wheel disc brakes, for better stopping power. For better weight distribution and elimination of the transmission hump, a front engine/rear transaxle foundation was planned. Read on as we take a look back at C2 Corvette history, concept cars, racing development, factory options, and model year changes throughout its five-year production run. We'll even share some data on original pricing and how many were sold each year.