The cars are the stars

By DEVIN HEILMAN

Staff Writer

Where do Mustangs, Barracudas, Cobras, Stingrays, Cougars and Road Runners converge?

At Car d'Lane, where all the cool cats cruise.

"You get to see what people used to drive back in the day, that’s what I like about it,” said Cody Langlitz of Twin Lakes. "My grandpa restores classic cars and that’s what I’m going to start doing."

From the sleek and shiny to the joyfully eccentric, at least 600 classic and custom cars paraded through Coeur d'Alene's downtown

streets Friday evening during the 27th annual Car d'Lane Cruise.

“It’s a huge family event. You get to see all your friends and meet really good people,” said Cody's wife, Mrs. Twin Lakes Summer Langlitz. “The car crowd’s just amazing.”

The cruise began on Lakeside Avenue and Fourth Street, led by cruise sponsor Napa Auto Parts and the Late Great Chevy Club.

Local Napa storeowner Eric Waide and his crew cruised in a custom-painted Napa blue-and-yellow 1936 Chevy panel truck. Waide was pleased the thunderstorm that hit Coeur d'Alene earlier didn't stick around for the main event.

"There's always the excitement before the event gets going, and it looks like the weather is going to hold out for us tonight and be even better for tomorrow," he said. "It's always a bonus when the weather holds out."

Car d'Lane, he said, is always the kickoff to summer.

"It brings a lot of people out,” Waide said. "It’s Father’s Day weekend too, and it always gets families together."

Jessica Smith of Coeur d’Alene gathered with friends at Alert Automotive to watch the cruise. She said she enjoys the “classic cars with big motors and fat tires.”

"It brings a lot of people together,” she said. “I think the businesses profit from it; we get a lot of tourists. It really shows us as a community and what we’re able to do here for the city.”

Just about every bar and restaurant seat was filled as families, couples and posses of friends enjoyed the automotive celebration. An ample number of Coeur d'Alene Police officers walked through the crowds, engaging citizens and handing out badge stickers to youngsters.

Coeur d'Alene Police Sgt. Erik Turrell kept a watchful eye on the scene from his post at Fifth Street and Sherman early in the evening.

"We do have extra patrols down here; safety is our priority," he said. "It is a great time for us to interact with the community, the families. And most of the people will stay the whole three hours. The community really enjoys it. You have your diehard car enthusiasts that will be down here no matter what, and the show tomorrow, definitely."

New this year, the cruise weaved into neighborhoods south of Sherman. It took drivers down Ninth Street to Mullan Avenue and north on 10th Street back to Sherman. This allowed for a bit of a change and more areas for cars to pull off for overheating.

"It's just the most wonderful thing to have it this close. I've always enjoyed Car d'Lane and this just makes it more personable. Rascal likes it too," said Front Avenue resident Tom Herron, patting his happy yellow Lab as they watched the cruise from the corner of Front Street and 10th.

“I don’t have any complaints at all. I really like that the city has incorporated such diversity in enjoyable things," Herron said. “I like being known for the things we’re known for. It’s a great place to be, and it’s dog-endorsed."

Car d'Lane continues from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today with the show and shine event. Classic cars will be parked from Northwest Boulevard to Eighth Street on Sherman and Third Street to Seventh on Lakeside. The swap meet will be on Lakeside between Seventh and Eighth in that timeframe.

Awards will be announced and presented beginning at 4 p.m. at Fifth and Sherman. Winning cars will be notified prior to 3 p.m.