Restoring a classic car can be a great bonding experience that bridges the gap between generations. A parent may have fond memories of driving a specific car during their youth, and can share that with their children, allowing them to make memories of their own behind the wheel. Seeing through a restoration project to completion isn't always easy, but it's certainly a worthwhile endeavor.

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.

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.

When someone mentions the Dodge Charger, many classic car enthusiasts will think of the iconic 1968-70 models immortalized in Hollywood productions such as The Dukes of Hazzard, Vanishing Point, and even The Fast and the Furious. While there's certainly no denying the importance and beauty of these second-gen B-body Mopars, we feel just as strongly about their predecessor: the 1966-67 Charger.

The 1961 Impala is often referred to as a bubble top car, and when you look closely at the styling, it's not hard to see why. The A-pillars that flank the windshield have a distinct curvature, giving the impression that the front of the greenhouse is bowed outward.

Then there's the large back glass, which incorporates thin and heavily-sloped C-pillars. On the sides of the car, the frameless windows can be rolled down to reveal no central B-pillar, completing the smooth bubble appearance.

When someone mentions the name Impala SS, most people think of the 1961 through 1969 Super Sport models. That shouldn't come as a surprise, since this original 9-year production run yielded some of the most iconic vehicles of the muscle car era. We'll always love these early cars, but there's another Impala SS that developed its own cult following and certainly deserves recognition: the 1994-1996 Impala SS.

In 1994, General Motors resurrected the Impala SS name to create a high-performance car based on the Caprice platform. The new SS cars received performance-oriented suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, and a 5.7L LT1 V8, among other upgrades. The model was discontinued in 1996 after a three-year production run.

In more ways than one, this Chevy C10 isn't what it seems. Glancing at the front end, you'll see cues that indicate it might be a 1967 or '68 model: the lower-profile hood, "Chevrolet" lettering, and grille style all match these earlier model years. The lack of side markers on the fenders and bedsides would make seem to indicate a '67 model, but the cab's large rear window says it's at least a '68 model, since 1967 trucks had a small rear window.

The owner of this truck — Darin Smith, of Huntington Beach, California — tells us it's actually a 1969 Chevy C10. Darin found the truck out in the California desert, and rebuilt it with a mixture of parts to achieve the look he wanted. He liked the appearance of the '68 front end, so he purchased a replacement hood, grille, and emblems for that model year. The fenders and bedsides bear no side markers, because he liked that clean appearance only found on the '67 trucks.

Here at the Classic Industries Retail Showroom, we often see vehicles you might call "head-turners". They're decked-out in red, yellow, green, or purple paint, airbrushed with stripes or flames, and covered in sparkling chrome galore. However, a few vehicles we see in our parking lot take things in the opposite direction with an understated stealthy look.

At first sight, this 1970 Camaro had us subconsciously humming "Paint it Black" by the Rolling Stones. Every inch of the car's exterior has been blacked-out, from the split bumpers and projector headlamp housings to the steering wheel, Wilwood disc brake calipers, and 19-inch Intro billet wheels wrapped in Pirelli tires.

It’s every car enthusiast’s dream to participate in a barnfind. We fantasize about discovering a rare, original, and highly sought-after classic car that had been stowed away in a barn, garage, or yard for decades, preserved like a time capsule from the past. Unfortunately, the reality is that these barnfinds are still old cars. They've been sitting in the same spot without use or maintenance, often for decades. So, if you come across one of these vehicles, how should you examine, repair, and restore it?

The term "rotisserie" is often used in a culinary context, such as the whole roasted chickens that you'll find under heat lamps at the grocery store. But you'll also hear the term in the automotive restoration industry. So what does this mean in the context of a classic car?

Fortunately, rotisserie restoration has nothing to do with skewering a car over an open flame — we shudder at the thought. As you may have guessed, rotisserie restoration involves suspending the front and rear of a car on a special rack, and rotating it to access every nook and cranny of the underbody. Short of disassembling and removing the body for a full frame-off restoration, it's one of the best ways to thoroughly restore a vehicle.

This 1967 Camaro SS belongs to Graeme Chapman, of Huntington Beach, California. Graeme bought the car in 2008, and proceeded with a full rotisserie restoration to achieve the stunning results seen here.