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.

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.

The 1958 Chevrolet Apache is a striking design, and a marked departure from the 1957 truck model that preceded it. With dual headlamps, a reshaped wider grille, and an all-new fleetside bed design, the 1958 pickups looked sleeker than ever.

This 1958 Chevy Apache restomod project belongs to Troy and Kimber Barr, of Huntington Beach, California. It retains the distinctive original styling, but with several modern twists that have made it a real head-turner. Believe it or not, the couple tells us it was their first real project vehicle.

Great news for Ford fans: California Mustang is now part of the Classic Industries family! If you're looking for Mustang parts and accessories, check out Classic Industries Mustang.

In the world of classic vehicles, there are quite a few people who may be considered knowledgeable about any given model, especially a model as popular as the first-generation Ford Mustang. A knowledgeable person can pretty much tell you what year your vehicle is by looking at the front grill or an identifiable detail. That's more than most casual onlookers could ascertain.

Every classic car owner we meet has a specific reason for owning and restoring his or her vehicle. Unlike a new car, you can't simply drive to your local dealership and purchase a classic with the exact options you're looking for. These timeless vehicles are chosen, built, and rebuilt with a purpose beyond going from "point A" to "point B".

John Hoisington, of Anaheim, California, built his 1955 Chevy pickup truck in memory of his mother. She passed away in 2010 as a result of cancer, and he restored his truck to honor her memory. He also uses the vehicle to spread the word about cancer awareness and early detection — certainly a noble cause.

The Buick Grand National was an unconventional car, to say the least. Rather than sticking with the traditional American muscle car formula of squeezing a large-displacement V8 under the hood, GM engineers tried something different: a V6 with a turbocharger. This configuration was a major risk, since turbochargers were still in their infancy when Buick launched the first turbocharged Regal model in 1978. But, after working through a steep learning curve, the configuration produced some astonishing results.

Every classic car has a story, and one of the best parts of our jobs here at Classic Industries is to hear these stories firsthand. This allows us to see the stunning end result of a project that was many years (or sometimes decades) in the making. It also serves as a reminder of all the blood, sweat, and tears that go into completing a difficult project, or realizing a lifelong dream.

Every classic car restoration project has a starting point. Sometimes it's a rusty basket case sitting on cinder blocks in a backyard, other times it's an excellent-condition survivor that just needs a few replacement parts. More often than not, projects start somewhere in between these extremes, with a running and driving car or truck that's a little rough around the edges.

The Tri-Five Chevy Bel Air has a distinctive look that appeals to just about everyone, whether you're a classic car fanatic or someone who knows very little about these vehicles. The sleek curves, bright chrome,and finned rear yield an appearance that has stood the test of time.

The '56 Bel Air seen here is beautiful to look at and nice to drive, and the top-of-the-line 265ci engine originally available on this model was certainly quick for its time. However, by modern standards, the 225 horsepower produced by the 265 V8 isn't exactly blistering. This is why many Tri-Five owners have restomodded their vehicles with newer, more powerful engines, upgraded suspension, and disc brakes.

The 1964 Impala is a true icon of American automotive design. It's one of those vehicles that is recognizable even to those who wouldn't consider themselves classic car enthusiasts, and its long sleek lines exude style from every angle. No matter who you are, when one of these rolls up, you'll know something special has arrived.