There's nothing quite like driving a convertible, especially when that convertible is a classic. Cruising with the top down and a cool breeze in your hair is one of those experiences that's bound to put a smile on your face. However, changing ambient temperature and weather conditions means you'll probably end up driving with the top up sometimes — unless you're Mario Molina. He tells us he put the top down on his 1967 Dodge Dart 10 years ago, and hasn't put it back up since then.

Every project has to start somewhere, and customers often tell us about the rough state their vehicles were in before restoration began. While we always enjoy hearing these stories and seeing the spotless completed projects, it's not often that we get to observe the starting point of these builds. But on rare occasions, rather than describing the unrestored condition of a car or truck, an owner will share some photos of exactly what it looked like on day one of ownership. Such is the story of this 1967 Chevy C10.

In 1967, General Motors introduced a complete redesign of its C/K pickup series. These new trucks featured elegant lines and an increased emphasis on features and comfort. Although they were still durable workhorses that could be used on-road, off-road, at farms or job sites, and around town, GM recognized that many truck buyers were looking for the sort of refinement normally found in cars. This trend was just beginning at the time, but has grown into a huge luxury-truck segment today.

Marking the first year of the first generation of the Chevrolet Camaro, 1967 was the year that started it all. More than 50 years later, the Camaro is still a legend, and the appearance of these early examples remains just as elegant as it was back then.

The term "shadetree mechanic" is used to refer to a do-it-yourselfer or tinkerer who works on vehicles, often at home in a driveway, garage, or literally under the shade of a tree. We've sometimes heard this term used with a negative connotation, implying that a hobbyist could be under-qualified and might be doing more harm than good by making repairs. However, we've seen firsthand that many of these so-called shadetree classic car restoration projects turn out great. In some cases, the care and attention to detail put into these home builds rivals the work produced by experienced professional shops.

This was the year it all began for the now-famous Tri-Five Chevy. In 1955, Chevrolet released the first model year of this iconic line. The 150 and 210 models were certainly well-received, especially when outfitted with the optional V8 engine. However, the flagship Bel Air was truly a sight to behold. Its carpeted interior, chrome trim, stainless window moldings, and script emblems set this '55 Chevy apart from the rest of the line, and made it memorable to this day.

Unassuming "sleeper" cars can be a lot of fun, since it's always entertaining to surprise onlookers by achieving impressive horsepower and performance in an otherwise ordinary-looking vehicle. However, it can be just as much fun to build a vehicle that has no qualms about showing off its potential for the world to see. Much like a venomous snake with brightly-colored stripes that tell predators "don't mess with me", these raucous cars send a loud and clear message about their potential.

As the years pass, many classic cars diverge from their stock form. Often this is due to the inevitable wear and tear on original components from driving or exposure to the elements. Instead of sourcing original-style reproduction parts, some owners will take their cars in a different direction and begin making modifications. While there's certainly nothing wrong with modding a car to make it your own, we also enjoy seeing classics restored to exactly as they looked when they rolled off the assembly line.

The Chevy Impala has been associated with the lowrider subculture since its inception, and it's easy to see why. With its long, elegant body, abundant chrome trim, powerful V8 engine options, and smooth ride, the Impala was born to cruise and look good doing it. Hydraulics have always been popular in the lowrider scene, but the development of modern air suspension systems provides a smooth-riding alternative to hydros.

1973 marked a turning point in the history of the automobile. Increasing restrictions on tailpipe emissions had already begun to impact horsepower ratings, and new crash protection safety standards led to increases in the size and weight of vehicles. Then, in October of '73, the OPEC oil embargo would cause fuel prices to skyrocket. Despite these challenges facing the muscle car segment, fun and exciting cars could still be found if you knew where to look.