One of the things we love about classic cars is their wide range of variation in shapes, sizes, and styles. Some classic cars appear aggressive and muscular, with wide flared fenders and gaping grill openings, while others appear poised and refined, with intricate chrome ornaments and sweeping lines. If we had to use a single word to describe this 1964 Plymouth Valiant, that word would be cheerful. The wide-set round headlights, bright red body, and peppy 318ci V8 would put a smile on anyone's face.

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If you've ever owned or restored a classic car, you'll no doubt know that it can be an expensive endeavor. Iconic classics such as the '57 Bel Air and '69 Camaro fetch large sums of money whenever they are sold, even in barely drivable condition. Then there's the cost of parts and labor, which must also be taken into consideration. So, how does a young enthusiast afford to get into classic cars? Thomas Coursey, of Anaheim, California, found a solution to this dilemma via the 1980 Firebird Esprit seen here. It has all the pedigree, V8 rumble, and sculpted good looks that initially attracted Thomas to American muscle cars, but lacks the steep price tag of older or higher-trim models.

Whether it's in comic books, cartoons, live-action TV, or high-budget blockbuster movies, the superhero persona of Batman has been an ever-present part of American culture for decades. The Caped Crusader has captivated both kids and adults with his suave personality, enormous wealth, agile fighting skills, and clever gadgets. However, one of the coolest aspects of Batman, in our opinion, is the Batmobile. Batman's high-tech ride has been interpreted in many ways over the years, from the sleek roadster of the Adam West TV era to the armor-plated "Tumbler" piloted by Christian Bale in the Christopher Nolan movies. However, we recently came across a strong contender for a future iteration of the Batmobile: Jeff Sanders' 2012 Camaro RS.

Although we know that deep down, cars are purely mechanical, it seems as though certain classic cars have something that transcends technology: personality. A sleek black Impala with chrome hubcaps has the air of a dignified gentleman, while a bright red Camaro with drag radials and dual exhaust tips exudes machismo. By this same logic, the '64 Chevy truck seen here reminds us of a grizzled boxer. It bears the scars and imperfections of a long, hard life, but still bulges with aggression and muscle after all these years. Some might see this colossal Chevy as cartoonish, but we love its unabashed "come git some" demeanor.

One of the most difficult things about restoring a classic car or truck is envisioning what the end result will look like. Sure, those shiny new parts look great in the photos online, and even in their boxes in your garage, but how will they look on your project vehicle? Also, how do you choose the right paint color, wheel size, and ride height with nothing more than a mental picture? You can always make an educated guess at what will look good, but sometimes it's best to visualize a goal before the project begins—that's where a rendering comes into play.

What is the fastest production Pontiac Trans Am? This question is the source of much debate, since many factors contribute to its answer, including driver skill, altitude, and tire compound. However, there's no question that the 1989 20th Anniversary Edition Turbo Trans Am is one of the fastest T/As ever, if not the fastest. Car and Driver magazine clocked this limited-production car at a blistering 4.6-second 0-60 time, calling it "the quickest 0-60 sprinter available in any US production-car showroom at any price." The car's 13.4-second quarter mile time may not sound particularly fast today, but in 1989, it was comparable to that of Ferraris and Lamborghinis. It wasn't until almost a decade later, and the release of the LS1-powered fourth-gen cars, that another production Trans Am could come close to these figures.

Here in southern California, the mention of a 1962 Impala makes many of us think of one thing: lowriders. Impalas, especially the '62 and '63 models, are extremely popular among the lowrider crowd, to the point that we see quite a few of these cars roaming the streets of SoCal while riding low on wire wheels and whitewall tires. Case in point: this '63 Impala SS that showed up in our parking lot not long ago. However, there's much more to this era of Impala than the common lowrider style. This '62 Super Sport coupe was built as a lightly modified cruiser, and features a timeless design that anyone can appreciate.

What is a classic car? It seems like a simple question, but in reality, the definition is always changing. Back in the late '60s, first-generation Camaros and Firebirds were considered cool cars, but they were also rather commonplace. Now, those cars are highly prized and acknowledged by everyone as true classics. In the 1980s, the same could be said of second-gen Camaros—they weren't seen as classics then, but now they certainly are.

Here at Classic Industries, we're always pleasantly surprised to meet classic car enthusiasts from outside the US. Of course we know that most Americans appreciate vintage muscle cars like the Camaro, but it's nice to see the popularity of these cars is growing overseas, too. Lately, it's becoming more common to meet car guys at our showroom from places like Sweden, Norway, Australia, and the UK. And, just like us, they are passionate about restoring and preserving classic American cars. The love of classic muscle cars is certainly becoming a global phenomenon.