Last week on The Parking Lot, we featured a beautiful 1969 Chevy C10 owned by Darin Smith of local restoration and performance shop DWS Classics. That truck was rescued from the desert and painstakingly rebuilt from the ground up. This week, we have another one of DWS Classics' creations: a 1964 GMC shortbed.

Like Darin's other truck, this GMC was found baking in the desert sun, and was purchased to undergo a full restoration. Fortunately, due to the low moisture of its surroundings, the truck stayed mostly rust-free. Darin stripped it down to the bare frame, and began a frame-off build.

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?

Time has a way of changing most things in life. As the years pass, new relationships form, families grow, career paths develop, and hobbies change. That's why it's so impressive to come across a one-owner classic car. Over the course of four and a half decades, most people go through several vehicles. It takes a special individual to stay dedicated to one car for that long.

This 1972 Chevy Nova belongs to D.J. Jimenez of Garden Grove, California. He tells us he is the original owner, and after all this time, he knows every inch of the car. D.J. recently retired, so he plans to utilize some of his newly-acquired free time to restore it.

D.J.'s Nova might not look like it needs much restoration, since he has kept it in excellent shape over the years. The stock 350ci V8 was worn out after 20 years of use, and D.J. dropped in a replacement 350 engine, which has served him well for over 40,000 miles. The car has retained its rare original floor-shift Saginaw 3-speed manual.

A classic car doesn't necessarily have to be a certain age to qualify as "classic". A modern vehicle can be a classic in its own right, as long as it develops a die-hard following that will last for generations to come. That's why at Classic Industries, we believe in supporting every generation of the Chevy Camaro. From 1967 to 2017 and beyond, the Camaro has always been an icon of American performance.

With a 6.2 LS3 V8 engine and six-speed manual transmission, this 2014 Camaro SS is a modern take on the American muscle tradition. This car belongs to Bob Castro, of Huntington Beach, California. Bob moved to California from Hawaii, and purchased this Camaro as his daily-driver vehicle shortly afterward.

Mopar has partnered with Classic Industries to introduce a new Restoration Parts Web Portal that will allow customers to resource and buy Mopar-licensed restoration parts for classic Mopars. This is a most welcome resource, as searching for restoration parts that are high quality; authentically licensed products can be a challenge.The new Mopar restoration parts page, seen above, prominently features Classic Industries as the leading source for restoration parts and accessories. Users of this new site can download the latest Classic Industries Mopar parts catalog with a single click.

It's always tough to let go of a car you love, but sometimes these decisions become necessary. When we spoke to John Schwarz, of Huntington Beach, California, he told us about the 1970 Barracuda he owned in high school. When he graduated, John didn't want to sell the car, but he also wanted to go to college and improve his job prospects, so he made the tough decision to let it go and put the cash towards his education.

Ever since he sold his first Barracuda, John wanted to find another. In the summer of 2016, his hard work finally paid off, and he was able to purchase the 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda seen here from a friend. Thanks to his patience, he ended up with a car that's even nicer than the one he had back in high school.

Classic Industries is growing fast, and the world is taking notice! From our extensive line of catalogs, including Buick Regal, Camaro, and Mopar, we offer a total of nine catalogs to date. From our humble beginnings of selling Camaro carpet kits, we've grown into the recognized leader in the restoration parts industry. We’ve come a long way in 40 years!

It never fails to amaze us when we see a gorgeous classic car, and learn that just a few short years ago, it was a basket case peppered with dents, scratches, and cobwebs. The transformation from a neglected lawn ornament to a gleaming and purring restored ride is truly astonishing each and every time.

Tony Munoz, of Pomona, California, purchased this 1966 Mustang Fastback about 9 years ago. He bought it from a childhood neighbor — after seeing it every day as a kid, this iconic pony car made an indelible impression. Many years later, he was finally able to convince its original owner to part ways with the car.