Classic trucks have curves, and that's one of the many reasons we love them. One of the main sources of this curvy appearance is their use of Stepside bed designs. Stepside trucks feature a narrow rectangular bed flanked by external fenders over the rear wheels, plus convenient step platforms behind the cab. Today, we think of this as an optional feature that fell out of favor, but in reality, the Stepside design was simply the default way trucks were made until the mid-1950s. A recent video from Rare Cars summarized the history of Stepside (a.k.a. Flareside or Utiline) truck beds and why they were eventually replaced by the Fleetside beds all modern trucks have today.

The sort of vehicles that we get exposed to in our upbringing can influence the kind of cars and trucks that we wish to own later in life. If the vehicle is old enough (and the car's would-be caretaker has sufficient spending cash), it could be the sort of car/truck that an auto enthusiast wishes to purchase as a project vehicle to maintain (if it's running), renovate, or resto-mod. The various forms of media — radio, TV, movies, the internet, video games, etc. — all can contribute in a big way to this sort of automotive exposure and influence. Today, we'll discuss a few of our favorite American classic cars from movies and TV shows.

What's the best thing you've bought for $500? For Art Cairo, of Michigan, that's an easy answer. Back in 1975, he bought this black-on-black Mustang from a newspaper ad that listed it as "special made for Ford family." The ad was asking $525, but he negotiated down to an even five bills. At the time, neither he nor the seller knew exactly how special this Mustang would turn out to be. Read on as we take a closer look at Henry Ford II's personal Mustang prototype.

If you've ever considered buying a classic American car from the late 1960s through the 1990s, you're likely familiar with the term T-tops. These removable roof panels became an extremely popular option that (literally and figuratively) bridged the gap between a fixed-roof coupe and a convertible. With T-tops, drivers could choose to enjoy the open-air driving experience of a convertible, the comfort and enclosed feel of a fixed roof, and — for models that used transparent T-tops — the ambience of a moonroof. In this article, we'll review the invention of T-tops, how they rose to prominence, and how they faded into obscurity again.

The late 1970s were a difficult time to be a performance car enthusiast. Following the OPEC oil embargo and the introduction of much more restrictive emissions requirements, American gearheads watched their favorite muscle cars wither away. The roaring big-block V8s of the early '70s were either discontinued or choked down to horsepower figures that seemed almost insulting. The EPA even blocked dealers from offering special engine-swapped models like the famous 427ci Camaros from Yenko, Baldwin, and Nickey. However, one Arizona-based Pontiac dealer found a workaround to produce a significantly faster 1977-80 Trans Am called the Macho Trans Am.

Ever since the earliest days of the automobile, manufacturers have been experimenting with alternatives to the tried-and-true four-stroke internal combustion engine. Some notable alternative powertrains include the Wankel rotary, hydrogen fuel cell, and plug-in battery-powered electric motor. But back in the early 1960s, Chrysler released a vehicle with a drivetrain that seemed truly out of this world: the Turbine Car. Powered by an A-381 turbine that could run on unleaded gas, diesel, kerosene, or JP-4 jet fuel, it was a true "alternative fuel" vehicle. And it wasn't just a one-off concept — 50 cars were built and released to the public.

The 1960s were a weird and wonderful time to be a car enthusiast. In addition to serving as the beginning of the muscle car era, this decade brought bold and colorful new styling to all of the "Big Three" American car brands. Arguably, the Dodge and Plymouth Mopar cars were at the forefront of this movement with head-turning High Impact paint colors and more unusual options like the one we'll be discussing today. The Mod Top option added one of three vibrant floral print patterns in place of a solid-color vinyl roof, and could even be extended to the interior upholstery.

The New York World's Fair was an international expo that showcased technology, art, and culture from 80 nations in an elaborate 646-acre fairground complex. Between 1964 and 1965, the event served more than 51 million visitors, many of whom left the event excited for the futuristic inventions and innovations they had seen. But one product that appeared at the World's Fair had an especially significant and lasting impact: the new Ford Mustang. Ford Motor Company partnered with Walt Disney to design a Magic Skyway attraction where fair attendees could ride in new Ford convertibles along an "automated turnpike of tomorrow."

Many of of our favorite stories involve a redemption arc, where the protagonist falls from grace, goes through a rough patch, and eventually emerges victorious. Such is the story of the very first Camaro officially produced by Chevrolet. This Camaro, which features VIN N100001, was built in secret in May of 1966 and kept under lock and key until the unveiling of the Camaro to the press a few months later. But in the years that followed, it was sold several times, turned into a race car, and nearly faded into obscurity.

Development of the second-generation 1963-1967 C2 Corvette began in the mid to late 1950's. Ed Cole, Chevrolet's General Manager, called it the "Q-Corvette" project. To achieve better handling, the chassis would have a four-wheel independent suspension system. It should also have four-wheel disc brakes, for better stopping power. For better weight distribution and elimination of the transmission hump, a front engine/rear transaxle foundation was planned. Read on as we take a look back at C2 Corvette history, concept cars, racing development, factory options, and model year changes throughout its five-year production run. We'll even share some data on original pricing and how many were sold each year.