In 1965, Ford changed the course of automotive history with the first full model year of Mustang production. Technically, the Mustang was first available in mid-1964 as what enthusiasts call a "1964 1/2", but the success Ford achieved in these early months and years built a foundation for decades of greatness. The restored 1965 Mustang pictured here belongs to Bernard Alvano, of Huntington Beach, California.

Many of the restored classic cars and trucks that visit our Retail Showroom are used primarily as weekend cruisers or show vehicles, and understandably so. Some owners enjoy their cars most by using them on special occasions. However, other owners prefer to use their vehicles as much as possible, racking up the miles and spending as much time as possible behind the wheel. Brandyn Guerrero, of West Covina, California, drives his 1973 Camaro Type LT every chance he gets.

Pickup trucks are designed for utility, and as a result many of them end up living a long, hard life full of dings, dents, scratches, and scuffs. This is why we love to see classic trucks restored to like-new condition. It gives these utilitarian vehicles a new lease on life, erasing the scars of decades past and allowing them to start with a clean slate once more. Antonio Ortiz, of Cerritos, California, restored this 1964 C10 and now uses it as his daily-driver.

Bold might be the best word to describe the 1958 Impala, with its dual headlamps, wide grille, abundant chrome trim, swooping fins, and aircraft-inspired tail lamps. There's absolutely no mistaking it for a bland modern economy car, much less any other vehicle. This single-year design isn't afraid to turn some heads and raise some eyebrows, and it certainly does so, especially in bright red convertible form.

Bring a Trailer is a site we enjoy following, as a result of the many rare and interesting classic cars that show up there. One particular vehicle that caught our attention is this 1987 Buick GNX. With an almost-unbelievable 8.5 miles on the odometer, this GNX appears to be in perfect showroom condition inside and out. It was reportedly preserved in a climate-controlled room, and as a result it has survived in immaculate shape, down to the plastic covers on the seats, carpet, and gauge cluster.

In 1960, Plymouth introduced the new Valiant as a compact alternative to larger full-size models such as the Belvedere, Fury, and Savoy. The first-generation Valiant bore assertive styling cues that included protruding fins alongside the body, angled oval tail lamps, and a faux spare tire on the trunk lid. For the 1963 model year, Plymouth redesigned the Valiant with clean lines and simplified styling. This change was well-received by the public, leading to an uptick in sales for the little Plymouth.

When it comes to Mopar muscle cars, many people tend to think of E-body vehicles such as the Dodge Challenger and Plymouth 'Cuda, or B-body vehicles like the Dodge Charger and Plymouth Road Runner. The Mopar A-body served as a platform for smaller and more economical cars like the Dodge Dart and Plymouth Valiant. However, the A-body also proved it could hold its own in the muscle car arena.

The fourth-generation GM F-body is a performance bargain, and a platform that has been steadily garnering more appreciation as the years pass. This includes both Camaro and Firebird/Trans Am models. While some may claim the fourth-gen cars are too new to be considered classics, we can remember the same being said about third-gen and even second-gen models in past decades. As far as we're concerned, the fourth-gen is definitely worthy of respect and appreciation.

Darin Smith is a lifelong car guy. He grew up helping out at his father's tire shop, then did a stint as a service writer at a dealership. Eventually, he opened a shop of his own, not far from the Classic Industries Retail Showroom in Huntington Beach, California. Now Darin spends his days restoring classic cars and living his dream. When the need arose for a shop truck for local parts runs, he opted for something more distinctive than a brand-new pickup, and bought this 1971 Chevy C10.

These days, many people associate the Dodge Charger with its modern four-door Mopar namesake, whether it's in the form of a fun family hauler, police car, or tire-shredding Hellcat. Many others recall the muscular B-body Charger of the late '60s and early '70s, as well as its appearances in Bullitt and The Dukes of Hazzard. But the history of this automotive icon started back in 1966 with the first-generation fastback Charger.