Here at the Classic Industries retail showroom, we're always on the lookout for cool customer cars that show up in our Parking Lot. Some are more subtle than others, but this 1969 Camaro resto mod was definitely hard to miss. Its eye-catching red paint, white stripes, and 18-inch chrome wheels immediately grabbed our attention, and we stepped outside to check it out.

As much as we enjoy seeing restomods and over-the-top show cars, it's always nice to see a restoration that keeps it clean, simple, and functional. No big billet wheels, slammed suspension, or lumpy cam—just a nice driver that has been lovingly cared for. That's exactly what we see in Gregory Bonner's silver 1969 Camaro restoration, and we absolutely love it.

We've always been fans of the third-gen Camaro, so it's nice to see the increased attention it's getting lately. Much like the second-gen cars were unappreciated for years, and then suddenly became popular again, we're seeing a resurgence in interest in the third-gen F-body vehicles. This is especially true of the IROC-Z, one of the most iconic American cars of the 1980s.

When you're tackling a Camaro restoration project, it's essential to know the original specifications of the vehicle you're restoring. If you don't know how your car rolled off the factory floor, it's much more difficult to return it to that condition. This is especially true due to the tendency of classic cars to be rebuilt and/or modified over the years. So, what's the best way to learn your vehicle's factory specs? The answer is simple: the VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number. Read on as we show you how to use our Camaro VIN decoder to learn more about your classic Chevy.

This November, some of the world's finest classic and custom cars gathered at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the SEMA 2015 Show. Since the SEMA Show is industry-only and not open to the general public, we walked the halls and snapped photos of the incredible vehicles we found inside. Now, for those of you who weren't able to make it to this year's show, we'll be posting some of the most interesting cars we spotted.

For a car enthusiast, there's no worse feeling than having your car stolen. In an instant, the vehicle you put so much time and effort into is gone, and you're left empty-handed. This is exactly what happened to Ismael Castillo, the owner of this 1991 Camaro Z28, on New Year's Eve last year. After spending the evening with his friends celebrating, he went outside to find his Camaro was missing. It was recovered by police a few days later, but by then it had been stripped of many of its parts and abandoned. Fortunately, Ismael refused to give up on his project, so he began rebuilding it.

As classic car enthusiasts, we love the look of vintage American steel. And when it comes to iconic looks, few cars can top the 1969 Camaro. Of all the first-gen F-body cars, the '69 Camaro is often hailed as the most attractive and desirable, and it remains one of the most popular cars we supply parts for. However, there's no denying that automotive engineering has come a long way since the late sixties. Cars are now faster, more agile, and more sophisticated than ever before. So, how can a restorer infuse some of this modern DNA into a classic form? Enter the resto-mod.

Mention the term "split bumpers" to someone who's not a classic car enthusiast, and they'll probably have no clue what you're talking about. Mention that same term to a classic Camaro enthusiast, and they'll immediately have a strong opinion on the issue of split bumpers, full bumpers, and whether or not restorers should put split bumpers on a full bumper car. It's a polarizing topic, that's for sure. Originally, split bumpers (also known as bumperettes) were found on 1970-73 Camaro models with the RS package (RPO Z22). However, some owners of non-RS cars liked the look, and decided to add them to their cars after the fact. Gordon Koran, of San Clemente, California, is one such owner, and his 1970 Camaro SS features the front bumper conversion.

Have you ever heard of a car going 500,000 miles before? How about doing it on the original engine and transmission? If you have, it's likely that it was a boring 4-cylinder economy car. That's all well and good, but we think if you're going to choose a car to drive half a million miles in, it might as well be one with a V8 and some style. David Mayans, of Corona, California, agrees with this sentiment, and that's why his '87 Camaro IROC-Z currently has a staggering 416,000 original miles on the clock. That's nearly the distance to the moon and back! Plus, by the time you're reading this, the car's odometer will read even higher. David daily-drives the IROC, so its mileage grows closer to the 500,000 mark with each passing day.

Outside the Classic Industries showroom, we see all different styles of car projects, from barely-streetable drag machines to meticulous factory restorations. Although we enjoy checking out both of these extremes, it's nice to see something that's squarely in the middle ground: a clean, simple street car with a few tasteful modifications. John Vargas's 1973 Camaro fits the bill, and is a great example of a clean second-gen with plenty of style.