1964 Chevrolet Impala

When it comes to classic cars Chevrolet is one of the few car companies that stands out. The Chevrolet Impala is another beautiful car which was very popular when it was first introduced and still is today. This model is the 1964 Chevy Impala. The Impala first began its production in 1958 and remains one of Chevrolet's most revered nameplates. Building on a theme presented at the 1956 GM Motoramas, the 1958 Impala had ample chrome decorations over nicely sculpted fenders. It also included Chevy's first dual headlamps and triple tail lamps. Over the years the Impala went in and out of production but has proved itself in the car industry. The Impala set the standard for comfort and value, and is even considered to give birth to the American Muscle Car. Over the years the Impala has stayed true to this and has kept pushing towards becoming a better vehicle for more excitement and dependability.


Impala Hot Wheels Car:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0060E2CJ2/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0060E2CJ2&linkCode=as2&tag=clacarblo0a-20&linkId=3IXF5564LEKH5RMN

The 64 and Lowrider Culture:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1iPXXMsh34

1957 Chevy Bel Air

The 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is one of the most iconic cars in classic car history. This was the only year Chevrolet made the car with this body style and fins. This iconic year is referred to by hot rodders as the "Baby Caddy" because of its robust fins.

This model year for the Bel Air is the most popular and most customized car in hot rod history. The car came available from the factory with a 235 inline 6 or a 283 small block v8. This car helped make the 350 small block as popular as it is today as it had the small blocks predecessor block. The car came in a convertible, two door, or four door option. The car is highly sought out today and a convertible at Mecum just recently sold for over $100,000. 

Bel Air Buildable Model: 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LAC25I/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002LAC25I&linkCode=as2&tag=clacarblo0a-20&linkId=FE6EELXZIDJRBQK2

Bel Air Burnout:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo0F_HgTofI

1969 Shelby Cobra

1969 Shelby Cobra 
Today's post will be about an american muscle car the 1969 Shelby Cobra. A little history about this car. Shelby took normal versions of the Mustang and stripped it down adding performance parts to it making it the "Shelby Cobra". 1969 was the last year Shelby had a good relationship with Ford and it also marks the second year that the Mustang used the newer more powerful 428 Cobra Jet engine.

Showroom Shelby Cobra

The Shelby Cobra sported thick tires and a rounded body. This model was a comfort, luxury model sporting am and fm radio as well as tilt steering and even air conditioning.

Some quick numbers on the Shelby Cobra:
Torque: 440 ft. lbs
Steel Body with fiberglass hood
108 in wheelbase
Transmission was either 4 speed manual or 3 speed c6 Auto
0-6 in 6 seconds
0-100 in 14 seconds

And for those interested here's a 360 degree look
Turntable View


Shelby T-Shirt:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BCPJ9WW/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00BCPJ9WW&linkCode=as2&tag=clacarblo0a-20&linkId=GGEMBYXLATQEMRWE

Volkswagen Bus

In 1950 the very first minivan debuted by the car making company Volkswagen. The minivan was a huge symbol for liberty and unconventionality for a whole generation of Americans. The minivan featured an air-cooled horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine which was mounted in the rear of the vehicle. The minivan went on to officially be called the Transporter or VW Type 2. The Type 2 is significant to Americans because what it lacked in speed made up for it in space efficiency. A Type 2 could sit up to nine passengers. This was a huge advantage for people that had large families and needed to transport everyone at the same time or even for young people that enjoyed driving their friends around. The Type 2 was even nicknamed "the peoples van" because it was roomy, reliable, and cheap to buy and fuel. The van is often looked at in history by being the van used during the late 60's and early 70's when they were called "hippy vans" and were painted up in psychedelic designs. Throughout the years the Type 2 has inspired many other car making companies to make a minivan of their own and has remained as one of the iconic vehicles after WWII. The VW bus was in production from 1950 until 1993 and left its mark in vehicle history forever.


VW Bus Model car:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0043YCGRE/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0043YCGRE&linkCode=as2&tag=clacarblo0a-20&linkId=JXAQHTCKEH43E7I6

1963 Cadillac coupe deville

This car pictured here is a 63 Cadillac coupe deville owned by my neighbor and long time friend Jaime. The car has been fitted with air bags to give it a low stance when needed but still have full, if not better suspension capability when driving. Originally this car was for sale from the dealer at $5,386 dollars. Today this number is tripled for one of these beautiful classics and I am sure you can see why. This is when Cadillac really started to tone down on the fins because previous years where way more robust and in your face. The american consumers had become unappreciative of the looks as many cars had fins so the manufacturers started to move away from it. Today however people can not get enough of it, most likely due to how dull and boring cars are today. The interior is as spacious as can be with chrome pieces everywhere. The car has the original Cadillac v8 engine and 350 transmission. This truly is a piece of american art that nothing in the automotive world can compete with today. Cadillac was the symbol of luxury and elegance and still is to this day.

Cadillac Fender Cover:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KSESO60/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00KSESO60&linkCode=as2&tag=clacarblo0a-20&linkId=ZL7VU2YYOE3JCAZY

The One and Only 1970 Corvette Stingray

In 1970 America built a magnificent car that would become an icon, a classic, and a rarity. This car is the Corvette Stingray. While the model itself wasn't conceived that year, it was styled in such a sleek manner that it turned into an american icon and is hugely popular today as a collector's car.


Below is a link to an awesome 'vette stingray in action:

Corvette Stingray

For those interested in this cars specifications here are some facts:

Wheelbase 98 in.
Front and Rear suspension independent with coil springs
engine v8 overhead drive
380 lb ft of torque at 3800


Some interesting facts to know about this specific model of the stingray is that its side gill vents were replaced by egg-crate shaped ones. Also the fenders were flared to keep any rocks from flaring up and scratching the paint job. One last cool thing about this specific year is how labor disputes in 1969 cut the production of this year's vette's short making it a special collectors car. Only 10,668 coupes were built and 6,648 convertibles.


Chevrolet Corvette Poster:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AWSXETE/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00AWSXETE&linkCode=as2&tag=clacarblo0a-20&linkId=3J3INJFV5WRX2GK7

The Chevy Apache

Introduced in March of 1955 the Apache was part of the Chevrolet "Task Force" line which began in 1955. The styling hallmark of this truck and others in the "Task Force" was a wraparound windshield which was called a sweep sight windshield. The shape for these trucks was new and was called the "load pulling" look.New features for driver convenience and ease of operation in the Apache included power steering, power brakes, overdrive for half-ton pickups, key-turn starts, tubeless tires, a 12-volt electrical system, and a four speed automatic transmission. The Custom Cab option included chrome interior door knobs, arm rests, dual-sun visors, a cigarette lighter, and a large wrap-around rear window. The Chevy Task force trucks went from 1955 to 1959. The last year of the Task Force line saw minor changes such as front and side emblems were changed to distinguish this year's model from last year's.

Classic Chevy Trucks Book: 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1465029249/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1465029249&linkCode=as2&tag=clacarblo0a-20&linkId=SJST4QCLW5AMUYZT

1954 Chevrolet 3100

This is my 1954 Chevrolet 3100 pickup truck. This truck was built at the old Los Angeles Chevrolet plant that does not exist anymore. Most car brands as everyone knows all produce overseas and there are not any companies producing 100% American cars. This is a throwback to the days when America actually made its own products. When you look at the craftsmanship and skill it took to produce vehicles such as this one, you realize how poorly made most of our products are today. This truck like all 50's vehicles was produced with heavy gauge steel so it is as tuff as a rock unlike the thin sheet metal on cars today.

This truck like all early Chevrolet trucks is equipped with a high torque inline 6 cylinder engine. This engine is praised and tried and trued as they had used it all the way into the 90's! It was then discontinued as fuel injection came more common as we see in todays engines for better fuel economy. The motor has many nicknames for how great it was such as "A buzzin half dozen", or "it aint a crime to have an inline", "6 in a row will make it go". These motors are also very easy to work on and have been praised for it. Motors today are overly complicated and are hard for the average guy to work on. This is my first blog post with many more with many different cars, as you can see im very biased against modern cars but there is just something about an old truck. She might be worn down and not pretty to some but to me she is a gorgeous patina truck who served what she was designed for, which was to be a truck.

Genuine Chevrolet Poster: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KSWRRG/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000KSWRRG&linkCode=as2&tag=clacarblo0a-20&linkId=DHAYW5NTRN4RW4U6


Classic Car Blog: "The Jalopy Journal" link is http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/

The Legendary Chevy 3100:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtcYw8xVY14