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Classic Mopar Engines: Slant Six, Small Block, Big Block, and 426 Hemi

Dodge and Plymouth Mopar cars of the 1960s and 1970s offered a wide array of configurations, from practical family sedans and wagons to aggressive, head-turning muscle cars. This variety of body styles was matched by a variety of colors, from elegant black and white to eye-catching SubLime, Go-Mango, and Panther Pink. Mopar engines were much the same. You could choose from a nearly-indestructible Slant Six, a plethora of small block and big block options, or even the legendary 426 Hemi. Read on as we take a look at classic Mopar engine families and configurations.

Built by Students: The SMHS Race Team's 1968 Camaro Drag Car

Classic car enthusiasts are definitely not a dying breed. For evidence of this fact, look no further than the Santa Maria High School Race Team and the passionate students who built this 1968 Camaro drag car. The SMHS Race Team is an after-school program in Santa Maria, California, where high-schoolers have a unique opportunity to learn how to build and maintain race cars. The program is funded entirely by students, with the exception of donations from sponsors. Classic Industries is proud to have provided restoration parts for this build. Read on as we delve into the details of this '68 Camaro, and how it has evolved into a 565ci big-block-powered, 9-second speed machine.

1965-1969 Chevy Impala Specs & Body Styles

The 1965-69 Full Size Chevy line of classic cars includes an array of timeless vehicles such as the Biscayne, Bel Air, Caprice, and Impala. Even after more than 50 years, these cars have a strong following among enthusiasts, and clean examples attract attention everywhere they go. Some owners choose to restore them to like-new condition, while others build them into lowriders, cruisers, or modernized muscle cars. Regardless of your preference, it's useful to know the original 1965-69 Chevy Impala specs and body styles that were available for each model year.

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.

1968-1976 Ford Torino History - Performance & Panache

When Ford Motor Company introduced the Ford Torino in 1968 for the North American market, it was intended as an upscale variant of the intermediate-sized Ford Fairlane that Ford produced from 1962-70. The car was so well received by automotive journalists and consumers, it wound up replacing the Fairlane nameplate altogether for all trim, powerplant, option, and accessory levels after the 1970 model year. The car is named after the city of Turin (Torino in Italian), where famous automakers Alfa Romeo and Fiat are located. Turin is known as "the Italian Detroit".

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.

1955, 1956, & 1957 Chevy Interior Trim Codes

Last week on our blog, we published a comprehensive guide to decoding 1955-57 Chevy VINs and trim tags, which can help you learn more about the original specifications of your classic Tri-Five Chevy. However, there's an aspect of that article that requires more detailed explanation: interior trim codes. These three-digit numbers indicate the original interior color and material combination for each vehicle. Today, we'll list each 1955, 1956, and 1957 Chevy interior trim code and the accompanying interior color, material, and model code.

1955-57 Chevy VIN Decoder & Trim Tag Decoder

If you've ever seen a 1955-57 Chevy classic car and wondered what its original specifications were, there's one way to find out for certain: examine the VIN plate and the trim tag. These two pieces of metal were riveted onto the body of all Tri Five Chevy vehicles, and each provides some valuable information on the way they looked when they left the GM assembly line back in the 1950s. Read on to learn how to use our 1955-57 Chevy VIN decoder and trim tag decoder to find out more about your own '55-57 Chevy, or one you're thinking about buying and restoring.

1958-1964 Chevy Impala / Full Size Models & Specifications

The 1958-1964 Chevy Impala and its Delray, Biscayne, and Bel Air siblings are hugely popular platforms for restoration and modification. These versatile Full Size Chevy cars were available in a wide range of configurations, from sporty 2-door hardtops and convertibles to family-friendly 4-door sedans and station wagons. As a result, it's easy to get confused about which of these vehicle series was paired with a certain model, or to mix up terminology (e.g. sedan versus hardtop). The Classic Industries R&D team has done a substantial amount of research into these details, so today we're going to share some of it with you. Read on to learn about 1958-64 Impala models and body styles.

1960-76 Mopar Production Numbers - How Many Cars Did Dodge & Plymouth Build?

The Mopar A, B, and E-body platforms of the 1960s and 1970s include many legends of the muscle car era. It's no surprise that popular models such as the Charger, Challenger, 'Cuda, and Road Runner are highly desirable today. We've developed a wide selection of restoration parts for Mopar vehicles, and this process has helped us gain some insight into the original release of these classic muscle cars. Today, we'll take a look back at Mopar history and examine the estimated production numbers, determining the approximate number of A, B, and E-body Dodge and Plymouth vehicles built each year between 1960 and 1976.