Here at Classic Industries, we see a wide range of customer cars, from modernized resto-mods to original-style restorations. Occasionally, however, we come across a car so pristine and original that it looks as if it just rolled off the showroom floor. Karen McDermott's '58 Chevy Impala is one such car. Its immaculate silver-blue metallic paint, glistening chrome, and multi-stripe blue vinyl interior instantly transport us back to the 1950s.

As classic car enthusiasts and restorers, our cars are often much more than simple machines or forms of transportation. Over many years, our cars take on personalities of their own and become irreplaceable parts of our lives—almost like members of the family. The '67 Pontiac Firebird seen here became a member of Tim Woolard's family back in 2000, during the midst of a stressful time in his life. Tim was acting as a caregiver for his ailing, elderly parents, and the restoration of his rusty old Firebird gave him an outlet for his near-overwhelming levels of stress.

If you owned an auto restoration shop, how would you advertise your skills? Sure, you could spend big bucks on billboards, TV commercials, and print ads, or you could cut to the chase and build a vehicle that shows off what you can really do. That's exactly what Edgar Hernandez did to promote his business, Starlite Rod & Kustom Shop, in Torrance, California. The slick customized '72 GMC C30 dually seen here is the result of his efforts. Even better, it's not just a show vehicle. It also serves as the parts hauler for the many restoration projects he works on.

If you imagine a muscle car, odds are that you picture something with wide tires, a loud exhaust, a huge motor, and aggressive styling cues. Although this traditional interpretation is undoubtedly cool, there are many ways that the idea of a muscle car can be interpreted. Here at Classic Industries, we love muscle cars of all shapes and sizes, and that's why Jack Petitt's refined take on a muscle car is so appealing to us. Jack restored this deep blue '69 Nova with the help of his daughter, and together they created a car that's as sophisticated as it is powerful.

As classic car enthusiasts, we tend to be skeptical of modern cars. After all, we love the cars of the '60s and '70s, and a lot has changed since that golden age of muscle cars. Back then, designers stuck to a simple formula: big-displacement V8 engines, alloy wheels with wide tires, aggressive flared bodywork, and bright paint colors that screamed performance. Thankfully, this formula is still alive and well in the 5th Gen Camaro ZL1. It has all the elements of a raw muscle car, plus plenty of technological improvements to make it a more livable and well-rounded vehicle. That's something that even the most skeptical classic car fan can appreciate.

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.

Important Note: The Classic Industries Search Engine has been updated for 2016, making it easier to find the parts you need. Please click the following link to learn more: Classic Industries 2016 Search Feature Updates

We often receive questions from customers about how to best find the parts they need on ClassicIndustries.com. So, we decided to answer some of these common questions here on our blog. If you ever have trouble finding a certain part, be sure to remember these four easy tips from our Search Feature FAQ...

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.