Here at Classic Industries, we often get to see our customers' completed restoration projects in the parking lot of our Retail Showroom. It always brings a smile to our faces, and we do our best to document each vehicle and share it here on the Classic Industries blog. However, on certain occasions, we get a glimpse into these vehicles' origins, and have the opportunity to see how far they've come. These cases are especially interesting, since we get to see a "before and after" transformation take place as restoration occurs.

"It's aliiive!" We can almost hear the cracks of thunder and see the flashes of lightning coursing through the sky as we gaze upon this vehicular beast. Like Frankenstein's monster, it's a maniacal amalgamation of parts that were never joined at birth, but the result is truly astonishing. Simply put, it's a 1968 Camaro with a massive 6.6L Duramax turbodiesel engine bulging from beneath where the hood once was.

Each November, many of the world's finest classic and custom cars gather at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the SEMA Show, and this year continued the tradition. 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. 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.

Back in the late '50s and early '60s, cars didn't necessarily have "generational" styling like they do today. These days, designers often create a model that stays cosmetically the same for 3 to 5 years, and eventually release small tweaks, or refresh the design with new lights, bumpers, and wheels. Back in the 1950s and '60s, there were many cases where every model year was unique, with huge stylistic changes every 12 months.

Gold isn't a color you see too often on cars these days, with the possible exception of the champagne color used on some luxury sedans. However, back in the early '70s, gold was a much more popular choice—even for muscle cars. This resto-modded 1971 Camaro serves as a reminder of how much gold paint can complement a classic car.

After the groundbreaking success of the 1955-57 "Tri Five" models, Chevrolet had some big shoes to fill in subsequent years. Fortunately, the automaker managed to launch the successful Impala line the very next year, with the 1958 model becoming an instant classic. And rather than resting on its laurels, Chevrolet redesigned the Impala again the very next year, producing a design that hit the peak of the tailfin styling trend in 1959.

Speak to any classic car enthusiast, and you'll realize that memories are often a big part of their love for vintage cars. Seeing these vehicles during childhood, taking road trips with the family, and learning to drive—these memories stick with you, and create a personal attachment that's unforgettable.

Jesse Green, of Midway City, California, shares this sentiment. He remembers sitting behind the wheel of his older brother's 1963 and 1964 Impalas during his teenage years, and it made an impact on him. Many years later, he had the means to buy an Impala of his own, and make new memories behind the wheel, so he did just that.

If you're anything like us, few things get your blood pumping more than the rumble and roar of an American V8. Better yet, that V8 should be under the hood of a classic car that has the timeless looks and aggressive disposition to match the engine's sound. Wide rubber, glossy paint, and sparkling chrome are all part of the equation, too. The 1972 Camaro Z28 seen here is a fine example of what we're talking about—it has all the boxes checked, and then some.

The 1955 Bel Air seen here has a history of long-distance travel, and it's about to depart on a new voyage. According to owner Milan Dokic, this Chevy was originally built here in the United States, but spent most of its life south of the border in Mexico. About 10 years ago, it returned to California, after being purchased by a Los Angeles resident. More recently, Milan purchased the car here in California, and will be taking it back home with him—all the way to Melbourne, Australia.

This year marks a historic event for General Motors: the Chevrolet Camaro 50th anniversary. It's a little hard to believe that a car we've come to love so much has been around for five whole decades, but that's certainly not to say it's washed-up by any means. Far from it, in fact—from first-generation to sixth-generation, the Camaro remains an American icon and an important part of our car culture.