On May 4th, 2019, Classic Industries hosted our very first Parking Lot Sale outside our Retail Showroom in Huntington Beach, California. The event offered local customers an opportunity to save big on a selection of scratched, dented, and less-than-perfect sheet metal panels, as well as tons of other clearance items from all of the Classic Industries vehicle lines.

These days, the Sport Utility Vehicle segment has become a dominant force in the automotive industry. Anywhere you look, you'll see dozens of SUVs, whether they're small crossovers or full-size family-haulers. In many cases, these versatile vehicles outnumber trucks, sedans, wagons, and hatchbacks. But back in the 1960s, the idea of an SUV was just beginning thanks to innovative models like the Chevrolet Suburban.

In the automotive world, it's not easy to find a balance between form and function. This is why we often see concept cars with ambitious and artistic designs that are gradually toned down to make them more livable on a daily basis. After all, a beautiful vehicle is less than ideal if it's not remotely practical or enjoyable to drive. However, the Chevrolet Nomad is one of the best examples we've seen of the perfect coalescence of form and function.

The phrase "don't look a gift horse in the mouth" may seem like a rather strange saying, but it makes more sense when you know the origin. It refers to the practice of evaluating a horse's age and health by looking at its teeth — in other words, questioning the value of a gift by inspecting it for small flaws. When Chuck Stubbings, of Huntington Beach, California, received this 1966 Mustang as a gift, it had its fair share of flaws. However, he happily overlooked them and embraced the opportunity for a fun restoration project.

There are many situations in which "too much of a good thing" is a real possibility. Even the things we love can get tiresome if we experience them in excess, like eating chocolate at every meal or listening to a favorite song 24/7. But for Katina Kaliterna, of San Pedro, California, this logic doesn't apply to her restored 1968 Firebird. She drives it every chance she gets, racking up miles with a smile on her face. Take one look at the beautiful Pontiac, and you'll understand why she feels this way.

In 1947, Chevrolet launched a major redesign of its pickup truck offerings, known as the Advance Design series. One of the most distinctive features of these trucks was the Deluxe Cab option, which included a pair of curved "Nu-Vue" corner windows at the back of the cab, increasing visibility and giving the truck an open feel. This remains a sought-after design today. Enthusiasts typically refer to it as the "5-window" Chevy.

Back in 1969, the Nova SS could be purchased from any Chevrolet dealer with the standard 350ci small-block V8 or optional 396ci big-block. But some enthusiasts felt there was no replacement for displacement, and wanted more. The iconic Yenko Nova came with a 427ci V8, but those very special cars were rare back then, and they're far rarer today. This led some Nova buyers to follow in the Yenko's footsteps and install 427 big-blocks into their own cars.

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.