We've said it before and we'll say it again: we love classic trucks because of their ability to combine function and form. Case in point is Eddie Portela's sparkling blue metallic 1969 Chevy C10. You might see this truck and think it's a show vehicle, but it's actually used day-in and day-out to haul equipment and supplies for Eddie's construction business in Orange, California. This restored work truck gets used, and the inside of the bed has the wear and tear to prove it.

In the early 1970s, the American muscle car had entered a dark time. The Clean Air Act of 1970 caused manufacturers to add smog controls to their vehicles, leading to reduced horsepower and a move toward smaller-displacement engines. Then, in 1973, the OPEC oil embargo caused fuel prices to skyrocket, and made supplying thirsty big-blocks a difficult task.

As much as we enjoy seeing restomods and over-the-top show cars, it's always nice to see a restoration that keeps it clean, simple, and functional. No big billet wheels, slammed suspension, or lumpy cam—just a nice driver that has been lovingly cared for. That's exactly what we see in Gregory Bonner's silver 1969 Camaro restoration, and we absolutely love it.

One of the biggest draws of classic car restoration is the nostalgia factor. There's something truly awesome about finally being able to own that car you always wanted in high school, or being able to buy back the vehicle you wish you never sold. For most of us, these classic cars are more than simple transportation, they're the fulfillment of our dreams. That's why we knew exactly what Michael Lara meant when he said this '72 Firebird is his "lifelong love".

Lately we've been noticing a trend: although the luxurious Chevy Bel Air continues to be ever-popular, the blue-collar 150 and 210 iterations of the Tri-Five are starting to get more attention. These budget-friendly models were once ignored in favor of chrome-clad 1955-57 Bel Air models, and many of them were even converted to look like Bel Airs. Now, however, we appear to have come full circle—and we're seeing more restored 150s and 210s as a result.

It's been said that too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. While this may be true in some cases, we'd certainly disagree when it comes to classic cars. For many of us enthusiasts, there's no such thing as "enough". We continually search for new vehicles to restore, and even when we've accumulated 3 or 4 (or more) ongoing builds, we're always looking for the next cool project to take on. For Joe Ali, of Huntington Beach, California, this never-ending interest has been focused on one vehicle: the Chevy Impala.

We're always glad to see the third-gen F-body cars getting the appreciation they deserve. Ten or fifteen years ago, few people would have considered the 1982-92 Firebirds and Trans Ams candidates for restoration, but now that these cars are becoming more collectible, the prices for clean examples are on the rise. This white 1986 Trans Am is one of the cleanest we've seen, and shows how much these cars stand out in 2015.

The late 1950s and early 1960s are often referred to as the era of the tail fin. These aircraft-inspired accents could be found on many cars from this time period, and few of those applications are more recognizable than the 1960 Chevy Impala. A winglike ridge lines each side of the bodywork, culminating in a squared-off tip at each corner. It was perfect for a society that had fallen in love with jets, rockets, thrusters, and all things aeronautical.

There's no question that the iconic 1955-57 "Tri Five" Chevy models were a tough act to follow. Even today, they're known as some of the most famous and popular classic cars of all time. So, when it came time to retire the Tri Five and develop a new design for 1958, what was Chevrolet to do? Well, true to form, they created a model that would go on to become just as famous as the cars before it: the Impala.

In nature, bright colors often indicate danger. Many venomous snakes and poisonous insects wear vibrant shades of crimson or indigo, warning potential predators that messing with them will be a losing battle. In much the same fashion, Christian Tovar's shocking yellow 1972 Nova SS sets the tone for other cars it rolls up next to. This yellow car has "try me, I dare you" written all over it.