The phrase "don't look a gift horse in the mouth" may seem like a rather strange saying, but it makes more sense when you know the origin. It refers to the practice of evaluating a horse's age and health by looking at its teeth — in other words, questioning the value of a gift by inspecting it for small flaws. When Chuck Stubbings, of Huntington Beach, California, received this 1966 Mustang as a gift, it had its fair share of flaws. However, he happily overlooked them and embraced the opportunity for a fun restoration project.

There are many situations in which "too much of a good thing" is a real possibility. Even the things we love can get tiresome if we experience them in excess, like eating chocolate at every meal or listening to a favorite song 24/7. But for Katina Kaliterna, of San Pedro, California, this logic doesn't apply to her restored 1968 Firebird. She drives it every chance she gets, racking up miles with a smile on her face. Take one look at the beautiful Pontiac, and you'll understand why she feels this way.

Back in 1969, the Nova SS could be purchased from any Chevrolet dealer with the standard 350ci small-block V8 or optional 396ci big-block. But some enthusiasts felt there was no replacement for displacement, and wanted more. The iconic Yenko Nova came with a 427ci V8, but those very special cars were rare back then, and they're far rarer today. This led some Nova buyers to follow in the Yenko's footsteps and install 427 big-blocks into their own cars.

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.

Many of the restored classic cars and trucks that visit our Retail Showroom are used primarily as weekend cruisers or show vehicles, and understandably so. Some owners enjoy their cars most by using them on special occasions. However, other owners prefer to use their vehicles as much as possible, racking up the miles and spending as much time as possible behind the wheel. Brandyn Guerrero, of West Covina, California, drives his 1973 Camaro Type LT every chance he gets.

Pickup trucks are designed for utility, and as a result many of them end up living a long, hard life full of dings, dents, scratches, and scuffs. This is why we love to see classic trucks restored to like-new condition. It gives these utilitarian vehicles a new lease on life, erasing the scars of decades past and allowing them to start with a clean slate once more. Antonio Ortiz, of Cerritos, California, restored this 1964 C10 and now uses it as his daily-driver.

Bold might be the best word to describe the 1958 Impala, with its dual headlamps, wide grille, abundant chrome trim, swooping fins, and aircraft-inspired tail lamps. There's absolutely no mistaking it for a bland modern economy car, much less any other vehicle. This single-year design isn't afraid to turn some heads and raise some eyebrows, and it certainly does so, especially in bright red convertible form.

In 1960, Plymouth introduced the new Valiant as a compact alternative to larger full-size models such as the Belvedere, Fury, and Savoy. The first-generation Valiant bore assertive styling cues that included protruding fins alongside the body, angled oval tail lamps, and a faux spare tire on the trunk lid. For the 1963 model year, Plymouth redesigned the Valiant with clean lines and simplified styling. This change was well-received by the public, leading to an uptick in sales for the little Plymouth.

The fourth-generation GM F-body is a performance bargain, and a platform that has been steadily garnering more appreciation as the years pass. This includes both Camaro and Firebird/Trans Am models. While some may claim the fourth-gen cars are too new to be considered classics, we can remember the same being said about third-gen and even second-gen models in past decades. As far as we're concerned, the fourth-gen is definitely worthy of respect and appreciation.

Darin Smith is a lifelong car guy. He grew up helping out at his father's tire shop, then did a stint as a service writer at a dealership. Eventually, he opened a shop of his own, not far from the Classic Industries Retail Showroom in Huntington Beach, California. Now Darin spends his days restoring classic cars and living his dream. When the need arose for a shop truck for local parts runs, he opted for something more distinctive than a brand-new pickup, and bought this 1971 Chevy C10.