Classic cars often carry powerful memories of time spent together with family members. Whether it's the result of wrenching on the car, going to shows, or simply cruising together, these special vehicles develop into an extension of the bond between spouses, siblings, or parents and their children. This '57 Bel Air belonged to Louie Breceda's father for 45 years, so when he passed away, Louie inherited it and preserved it. In a way, Louie's dad lives on through this car.

Every classic car restoration project is a journey, and we always enjoy hearing about how our customers' navigated that long road with help from the parts in our catalogs. But being able to see the journey a vehicle went through via photos is even more rewarding. Farley Schrieber, of Ohio, sent us numerous photos documenting the two-and-a-half-year restoration process of his stunning 1956 Chevy Bel Air. This car was restored from the frame up, and now features upgraded suspension and a potent big-block V8.

Christmas has come and gone, and the jolly bearded guy clad in red and white has returned to his North Pole abode once more. We know his traditional method of transportation is a flying sleigh and pack of reindeer, but a customer recently stopped by our Retail Showroom in a vehicle that looks like it'd be a fitting four-wheeled alternative for Mr. Claus. Rudolph and his pals can take some time off, because this red and white two-tone '56 Bel Air forgoes reindeer-power in favor of good old horsepower.

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 1955-'57 Chevy Tri Five was a hugely successful line, and to this day remains one of the greatest icons of classic American car culture. But there was a catch for General Motors. As is often the case with this degree of success, consumers' expectations were high and the Tri Five would be a tough act to follow. Knowing this, GM designers and engineers put a lot of work into its successor, the 1958 Full Size Chevy line.

You've probably heard of the Chevy Nomad, a unique and iconic two-door wagon body style that was available only as a Tri-Five Chevy Bel Air model. The two-door Nomads are so well-known that some classic car fans will mistakenly refer to all Bel Air wagons by that name. However, aside from the two-door Nomad, there was also a four-door Bel Air wagon body style. This 1957 Bel Air wagon belongs to Dan Naughton, of San Clemente, California.

This was the year it all began for the now-famous Tri-Five Chevy. In 1955, Chevrolet released the first model year of this iconic line. The 150 and 210 models were certainly well-received, especially when outfitted with the optional V8 engine. However, the flagship Bel Air was truly a sight to behold. Its carpeted interior, chrome trim, stainless window moldings, and script emblems set this '55 Chevy apart from the rest of the line, and made it memorable to this day.

1955 was an important year for Chevrolet. It marked the first year of the iconic model that would eventually become known by fans as the Tri Five. The top-trim version of this Chevy model was the Bel Air, which could be ordered as either a standard two-door "post" version with a B-pillar at the midpoint of the roof, or a pillarless "hardtop" version. The '55 Bel Air also featured extra chrome trim and a selection of more than a dozen eye-catching two-tone color combinations.

It’s every car enthusiast’s dream to participate in a barnfind. We fantasize about discovering a rare, original, and highly sought-after classic car that had been stowed away in a barn, garage, or yard for decades, preserved like a time capsule from the past. Unfortunately, the reality is that these barnfinds are still old cars. They've been sitting in the same spot without use or maintenance, often for decades. So, if you come across one of these vehicles, how should you examine, repair, and restore it?

Be it your ’57 Bel Air, or Hemi Road Runner, classic vehicles have become more than just mere transportation…they’re investments. While car insurance is protection for your transportation—trying to get a standard run-of-the-mill insurance company to protect your “investment” can be problematic, at best.  As some would say in the medical field: You need a specialist.

Classic Industries Understands Collector Car Enthusiasts

Classic Industries understands the needs of enthusiasts, and are experts in filling the gap when there’s a need for high-quality parts and accessories. So, when it comes to insurance for your classic car, who better to understand the issues associated with classic car insurance, than Classic Industries? Using their vast experience, they have developed the Classic Industries Collector Car Insurance Program.