Brothers come together for Car d'Lane

In a church parking lot 20 blocks from downtown Coeur d’Alene, brothers Bret and Brady Paulson stood together Friday afternoon and grinned with eager anticipation as a rumble filled the air. A sigh of relief escaped Bret’s lips.

“You know it’s a good car,” he said with a smile, “when you hear it before you see it.”

As a 1969 black Mustang rounded into view and parked, the two men welcomed brother Brian with open arms in the first moments of what would become a jewel of their family history. With Bret joining his first Car d’Lane this year, the Paulsons — all natives of Coeur d’Alene — marked Friday as the first time all three brothers cruised together.

“We’ve been looking forward to this for a long time,” Brady admitted.

Brian, husband to Bonnie, father of six and a Spirit Lake resident, spent the last 21 years working on the Mustang named Marilyn. This Car d’Lane, his 10th, means more than most.

“It’s something special being out here with all my brothers,” he said. “This [event] is always great, but it’s better because I’m with my brothers.”

Brian was quick to point out, however, while the bond between family is more important, the bond between a car lover and a Mustang is unbreakable.

“The Mustang is all about raw power,” he said proudly. “It’s an exhibition of strength.”

Standing next to his 1949 Chevy 3100, a red pickup that glimmers in summer sunshine, Bret said his connection to his truck has been cultivated over decades.

“I remember going to watch Car d’Lane about 20 years ago,” the husband to Rhonda and father of four said, “and they were having a raffle for this classic black pickup. I remember just pouring in money hand over fist to try to win it. That’s where I fell in love with it. Ever since, I always wanted to have one. I always wanted to do this.”

Today, the orthopedic physician’s assistant in Lewiston said this year’s event — his first as a participant — is as much about his family as his hobby, which also includes a beauty his father bought brand-new 50 years earlier.

“I’m helping restore my dad’s truck,” Bret said. “It’s this sweet ’68 Ford F-100 … It’s something we get to do together. It’s a way for us to hang out and spend time together, and I’m hoping my kids will get to do the same.”

Brady, along with wife Rachel, their five kids and a 1967 Camaro SS with a 350 ci engine, admitted that he finds a way to reach Car d’Lane every chance he gets. It’s in his blood.

“I grew up around cars,” the Missoula resident and self-taught mechanic said. “I was always into muscle cars. I first did Car d’Lane 15 years ago, and I’ll keep coming back. I love it. I love working on it; I’ve done a couple rebuilds on the engine. Now my kids are getting interested in it. It’s just a great family thing.”

While Brian talked about his own rebuild, he added that events like Car d’Lane add a sense of community where enthusiasts come together over a shared interest of classic cars.

“Coming to Car d’Lane is like working on my Mustang,” he said. “There’s just something about it that gets your heart rate up.”