The collector appeal of classic trucks is growing, and it's easy to see why. After all, these utilitarian vehicles were never seen as anything particularly special or collectible back in the 1940s and '50s, much like today's base-model work trucks are viewed now. However, times change, and these once under-appreciated old pickup trucks are now being restored, modified, and cared for more with each passing year.

What's the most famous Trans Am of all time? How about the most famous Pontiac of all time? There's a good chance that the answer to both these questions is a single car: the second-gen Trans Am Special Edition. This black and gold icon of the 1970s became instantly recognizable for its role in the film Smokey and the Bandit, in which Burt Reynolds drove the car from Texas to Georgia as part of a bootlegging operation. In fact, in the two years following the first film, Trans Am sales nearly doubled! Thanks to the lasting impact of this movie and its sequels, as well as the car's undeniable cool factor, the Special Edition T/A remains world-famous to this day.

Today, new truck buyers choose from a limited selection of paint options, typically including variations of black, white, silver, and occasionally a subdued metallic champagne, burgundy or navy blue. However, this wasn't always the case. Back in 1969, even utilitarian pickup trucks were available in a wide range of vibrant hues such as bright red, orange, yellow, olive green and turquoise. They may not be available anymore, but these exciting colors proved that even if you needed a work truck, it certainly didn't have to be boring.

The term "bubble top" has become a catch phrase in the Impala restoration community, and we often hear people asking what it really means. Take one look at the rounded roof of this 1961 Impala coupe, and you'll start to understand. The curved glass, smooth lines, and lack of B-pillars cause this car's roof to appear similar to a bubble, hence the name. The term became especially important one year later in '62, because GM produced a select few Impalas with leftover '61 "bubble" tops before transitioning to the more angular "crinkle top" later that year.

One of the things we love about classic cars is their ability to instantly transport you back in time. They remind us of different periods of our lives, and different periods in our country's history. This 1964 Chevy truck, for example, takes us back to a time when pickup truck design (and car design, for that matter) was changing dramatically. This period marked a transition from the sleek aircraft-inspired style of the '50s to the more angular designs of the '70s. This '64 model exhibits characteristics from both eras, but still manages to blend them seamlessly into a style of its own.

Each year, the SEMA Show packs the Las Vegas Convention Center full of some of the world's finest custom cars and trucks, and the 2014 show is certainly no exception. Walking the show, we have come across some truly jaw-dropping works of automotive art, many of which feature restoration and performance parts from Classic Industries. And, since the show isn't open to the general public, we're doing our best to share some of these amazing rides with you..

The Thrill of the Chase