In 1965, Ford changed the course of automotive history with the first full model year of Mustang production. Technically, the Mustang was first available in mid-1964 as what enthusiasts call a "1964 1/2", but the success Ford achieved in these early months and years built a foundation for decades of greatness. The restored 1965 Mustang pictured here belongs to Bernard Alvano, of Huntington Beach, California.

The term "shadetree mechanic" is used to refer to a do-it-yourselfer or tinkerer who works on vehicles, often at home in a driveway, garage, or literally under the shade of a tree. We've sometimes heard this term used with a negative connotation, implying that a hobbyist could be under-qualified and might be doing more harm than good by making repairs. However, we've seen firsthand that many of these so-called shadetree classic car restoration projects turn out great. In some cases, the care and attention to detail put into these home builds rivals the work produced by experienced professional shops.

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.

Many of the restored classic cars that show up in our Retail Showroom parking lot are driven frequently, and this fact always makes us smile. After all, while these timeless vehicles look great standing still, they're truly at their best in motion. The men and women who originally designed and built them intended them to be driven, so we're glad to play our part in making sure that's still happening several decades after these cars and trucks rolled off the assembly line.

For fans of classic Chevy vehicles, the name Yenko is a real attention-getter. The first-gen Yenko/SC Camaro was a true high-performance icon of the late '60s, and its legacy lives on to this day through modern cars such as the 1,000-horsepower 2018 Yenko/SC Stage II Camaro. But the Yenko name was also applied to other Chevrolet vehicles, including the Corvair, Chevelle, and Nova.

The third-generation 1968-74 Chevy Nova is an extremely versatile platform. Many of these Nova models, especially the inline-6 cars and four-door sedans, were used as utilitarian family vehicles. However, the '68-74 Nova also became popular among drag racers and hot-rodders due to the potential of its small-block V8, and this potential remains to this day.

Every classic car has a history behind it. Some live an easy life with their original owners as garaged survivors, while others have undergone rough spots. Fortunately, the vehicles in the latter category can still be restored to original form. They just need the right parts, a skilled hand turning the wrenches, and plenty of long nights in the shop.

When you own a classic car with sleek body lines, glistening chrome, and a roaring V8 engine, it's bound to turn some heads as you drive around town. You're not driving a beige Camry, after all. So why not take it to the next level, and throw subtlety aside completely? That's what Onesimo Lopez, of Santa Ana, California, did with his 1977 Firebird project.

Back in the day, the station wagon was viewed as the king of the practical family vehicle segment. While this body style certainly meets that need, most vehicles in this category were soon replaced by larger minivans and SUVs. Unfortunately, it has become rare to see a wagon on the road anymore — but we think that exclusivity just makes the classic ones that much cooler.

Here at the Classic Industries Retail Showroom, we see countless beautiful restored cars and trucks, as well as quite a few resto-modded vehicles. The latter category covers builds ranging from a few modern modifications to complete tear-downs and rebuilds with aggressive motor swaps.

The 1982 Camaro Z28 seen here definitely falls on the more extreme end of the spectrum. In fact, it's one of the most eye-catching third-gen Camaro builds we've seen to date.