Outside the Classic Industries showroom, we see all different styles of car projects, from barely-streetable drag machines to meticulous factory restorations. Although we enjoy checking out both of these extremes, it's nice to see something that's squarely in the middle ground: a clean, simple street car with a few tasteful modifications. John Vargas's 1973 Camaro fits the bill, and is a great example of a clean second-gen with plenty of style.

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.

In today's world of extremes, subtlety is an often underrated trait. When it comes to automotive restoration, there's certainly nothing wrong with building a vehicle that turns heads everywhere it goes, but sometimes it's nice to fly under the radar. Tony Pellegrino, the owner of this 1972 GMC truck, wanted to build a pickup that featured tasteful modifications without going over-the-top. So, he chose a 3/4-ton C2500 long bed model with subdued white paint, and added a few parts to make it his own.

If you're a car enthusiast, especially a classic car enthusiast, you'll no doubt know that air suspension can be a controversial modification. Some people love the ability to tuck big wheels and adjust ride height on the fly, while others claim air suspension degrades what would otherwise be a nicely restored classic. No matter your stance, it's hard not to appreciate a car with air suspension that looks this good. Eric Sass, the owner of this '62 Chevy Impala convertible, embraced the controversy by purchasing the car in mostly restored condition, then swapping the stock wheels and suspension for a set of 'bags and deep-dish billet wheels.

If you owned an auto restoration shop, how would you advertise your skills? Sure, you could spend big bucks on billboards, TV commercials, and print ads, or you could cut to the chase and build a vehicle that shows off what you can really do. That's exactly what Edgar Hernandez did to promote his business, Starlite Rod & Kustom Shop, in Torrance, California. The slick customized '72 GMC C30 dually seen here is the result of his efforts. Even better, it's not just a show vehicle. It also serves as the parts hauler for the many restoration projects he works on.

If you imagine a muscle car, odds are that you picture something with wide tires, a loud exhaust, a huge motor, and aggressive styling cues. Although this traditional interpretation is undoubtedly cool, there are many ways that the idea of a muscle car can be interpreted. Here at Classic Industries, we love muscle cars of all shapes and sizes, and that's why Jack Petitt's refined take on a muscle car is so appealing to us. Jack restored this deep blue '69 Nova with the help of his daughter, and together they created a car that's as sophisticated as it is powerful.

If you've ever owned or restored a classic car, you'll no doubt know that it can be an expensive endeavor. Iconic classics such as the '57 Bel Air and '69 Camaro fetch large sums of money whenever they are sold, even in barely drivable condition. Then there's the cost of parts and labor, which must also be taken into consideration. So, how does a young enthusiast afford to get into classic cars? Thomas Coursey, of Anaheim, California, found a solution to this dilemma via the 1980 Firebird Esprit seen here. It has all the pedigree, V8 rumble, and sculpted good looks that initially attracted Thomas to American muscle cars, but lacks the steep price tag of older or higher-trim models.

Here in southern California, the mention of a 1962 Impala makes many of us think of one thing: lowriders. Impalas, especially the '62 and '63 models, are extremely popular among the lowrider crowd, to the point that we see quite a few of these cars roaming the streets of SoCal while riding low on wire wheels and whitewall tires. Case in point: this '63 Impala SS that showed up in our parking lot not long ago. However, there's much more to this era of Impala than the common lowrider style. This '62 Super Sport coupe was built as a lightly modified cruiser, and features a timeless design that anyone can appreciate.