Here at Classic Industries, we love providing restoration parts for vintage Chevy cars and trucks, but we also recognize that those vehicles aren't just designed to sit in a garage collecting dust. They're designed to be driven, and in many cases, driven fast.

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.

Chevrolet has produced some extremely iconic cars over the years, including the '57 Bel Air and the '69 Camaro. But few models are more revered than the '64 Impala SS, especially in the custom cruiser and lowrider communities. This car has been immortalized in movies, TV shows, music, and even video games. Its long, smooth lines look just as good today as they did in 1964.

We've met many Impala fans over the years, but none have been more passionate about this car than Joe Ali, of Huntington Beach, CA. Joe currently owns two 1964 Impalas, and we previously featured his Adobe Beige '64 Impala SS on The Parking Lot. Prior to these two cars, he owned six 1965 Impalas — yes, you read that right, six.

It's not uncommon these days to come across a classic car that has undergone an engine swap. In fact, for some models, there are many more examples that have been swapped than those that retain the original-spec engine. However, it's certainly less common to see a vehicle that has gone through as many different engines as this 1968 Camaro.

The '68 Camaro seen here belongs to Steve Koster, of Huntington Beach, California. Those who are familiar with these cars might guess it has a 327, 350, or even a 396. While it likely rolled off the factory floor with one of those engines, it's long gone now.

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.

Growth from Necessity

The saying: “Necessity is the mother of invention” is true in so many of life’s scenarios, and has had an continuous impact on society. Where would civilization be without the wheel? Where would technology be if it weren’t for Bill Gates and Steve Jobs? Where would the exotic car world be if Ferruccio Lamborghini didn’t have his “unpleasant customer experience” when he tried to get his Ferrari fixed? Well, that last example was more about needing to “stick it” to someone rather than to build a car—but he still changed the automotive world!

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.