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.

With its quad headlamps and distinctive crosshair-shaped grill, the 1967-72 GMC pickup truck diverges slightly from the appearance of its more-common Chevy sibling. These trucks exude classic style, even today, making them a popular choice for restoration projects.

Trucks have changed a lot in the last few decades. These days, pickups have become more luxurious and technologically-advanced than ever before, with in-dash navigation screens, surround sound, leather upholstery, twin-turbocharging, direct injection, and flashy 20-inch wheels. However, not long ago, there was a time when trucks fit a much simpler formula: a big carbureted V8, high ground clearance, a utilitarian aesthetic, and near-indestructible reliability. This '77 GMC long-bed reminds us of the time when trucks were simple, and built to work hard.

In today's world of extremes, subtlety is an often underrated trait. When it comes to automotive restoration, there's certainly nothing wrong with building a vehicle that turns heads everywhere it goes, but sometimes it's nice to fly under the radar. Tony Pellegrino, the owner of this 1972 GMC truck, wanted to build a pickup that featured tasteful modifications without going over-the-top. So, he chose a 3/4-ton C2500 long bed model with subdued white paint, and added a few parts to make it his own.

If you owned an auto restoration shop, how would you advertise your skills? Sure, you could spend big bucks on billboards, TV commercials, and print ads, or you could cut to the chase and build a vehicle that shows off what you can really do. That's exactly what Edgar Hernandez did to promote his business, Starlite Rod & Kustom Shop, in Torrance, California. The slick customized '72 GMC C30 dually seen here is the result of his efforts. Even better, it's not just a show vehicle. It also serves as the parts hauler for the many restoration projects he works on.

Although we know that deep down, cars are purely mechanical, it seems as though certain classic cars have something that transcends technology: personality. A sleek black Impala with chrome hubcaps has the air of a dignified gentleman, while a bright red Camaro with drag radials and dual exhaust tips exudes machismo. By this same logic, the '64 Chevy truck seen here reminds us of a grizzled boxer. It bears the scars and imperfections of a long, hard life, but still bulges with aggression and muscle after all these years. Some might see this colossal Chevy as cartoonish, but we love its unabashed "come git some" demeanor.

One of the most difficult things about restoring a classic car or truck is envisioning what the end result will look like. Sure, those shiny new parts look great in the photos online, and even in their boxes in your garage, but how will they look on your project vehicle? Also, how do you choose the right paint color, wheel size, and ride height with nothing more than a mental picture? You can always make an educated guess at what will look good, but sometimes it's best to visualize a goal before the project begins—that's where a rendering comes into play.

Over the course of the last decade, southern California has become what some might call "the land of the Prius". The region's beach cities, suburbs, and sprawling freeway traffic jams are always packed with tiny hybrid economy cars. As lovers of the V8 and classic American muscle, we sometimes feel a little rebellious roaring past the slow-moving hatchbacks, but we recently met someone who takes this counter-cultural spirit to a whole new level. Enter Donnille Leubner and his massive Chevy C3500 dually. If owning the road sounds appealing, this is the rig for you.

One of our favorite aspects of classic trucks is the diversity of their designs. Unlike today's trucks, which seem to have become relatively boxy and homogeneous, these vintage models often feature distinctive styling cues and sleek aircraft-inspired lines. Now that trucks have become all about masculinity and "tough" looks, observing the smooth curves of a 1950s pickup is like a breath of fresh air.